For the past four months, I was given my ultimate dream job as coaching the reserve volleyball team at Pius X. I opened back up the yearbook, traded in a student ID for a staff ID, and spent early mornings and late nights with 11 of the most wonderful girls. In high school, volleyball taught me how to fight for what I want in life, work through pain, trust others, and countless other life lessons. Now, being able to step back into the gym and be on the other side of the game only added more lessons to this list.
Throughout the season, you eleven girls rocked my world. I hope you remember:
1. You are the only person in charge of your attitude. Life can be unfair and cruel, and you will most likely be handed situations in life that you don’t deserve. No coach or future employer has the power to change your effort or your attitude; only you have that power.
2. I will never listen to “Watch Me Whip” or “Lip Gloss” the same. These freshmen had the sickest dance moves, and even though you made me laugh when I shouldn’t have been and made me loose my train of thought countless times.. The joy you bring to life is contagious.
3. Waking up at 4:43 is worth it. Is it hard? Yes. Does it take multiple alarms? Yes. But it teaches you to fight for what you want in life. Wake up early. Push yourself. You’ll never know what you can do in life until you decide to wake up and go for it.
Throughout the season, you eleven girls rocked my world. I hope you remember:
1. You are the only person in charge of your attitude. Life can be unfair and cruel, and you will most likely be handed situations in life that you don’t deserve. No coach or future employer has the power to change your effort or your attitude; only you have that power.
2. I will never listen to “Watch Me Whip” or “Lip Gloss” the same. These freshmen had the sickest dance moves, and even though you made me laugh when I shouldn’t have been and made me loose my train of thought countless times.. The joy you bring to life is contagious.
3. Waking up at 4:43 is worth it. Is it hard? Yes. Does it take multiple alarms? Yes. But it teaches you to fight for what you want in life. Wake up early. Push yourself. You’ll never know what you can do in life until you decide to wake up and go for it.
4. Cherish your time. Holding a lineup sheet and running drills is a blast, but it will never come close to the feeling of running out on the court. Live these moments to the fullest. Never take the time you have been given for granted.
5. Life really is about the little things. Little corrections can go a long way, good athletes are made into great athletes because they take the time to focus on the smallest details. Discipline never goes unnoticed.
6. The education process gives me goosebumps. You girls transformed from middle schoolers to high school athletes. Seeing the moment that a new skill clicks or a major lightbulb moment takes place rocks my world. You girls inspire me.
5. Life really is about the little things. Little corrections can go a long way, good athletes are made into great athletes because they take the time to focus on the smallest details. Discipline never goes unnoticed.
6. The education process gives me goosebumps. You girls transformed from middle schoolers to high school athletes. Seeing the moment that a new skill clicks or a major lightbulb moment takes place rocks my world. You girls inspire me.
7. Respect is something that is earned. Always be conscience of the jersey you wear, the way you teach other athletes, the school you represent, and the effort you put forth. Respect is not something that is handed out for free; you have to work to deserve respect in this world.
8. Building virtue is the true purpose of playing sports. In the long run, high school athletics is not going to be the highlight of your life, BUT they can help you prepare for life. We play sports because we want to drill our bodies to know virtue and discipline. JPII said it best by saying, "“Sport trains body and spirit for perseverance, effort, courage, balance, sacrifice, honesty, friendship and collaboration.”
8. Building virtue is the true purpose of playing sports. In the long run, high school athletics is not going to be the highlight of your life, BUT they can help you prepare for life. We play sports because we want to drill our bodies to know virtue and discipline. JPII said it best by saying, "“Sport trains body and spirit for perseverance, effort, courage, balance, sacrifice, honesty, friendship and collaboration.”
9. It’s always a great day to be a Bolt. Playing for a Catholic school where there is a cross on the back of the jerseys and a crucifix hanging on the wall reminding us why we are actually playing and who we are playing for is the biggest blessing. JPII rocks it again by saying, "“Give thanks to God for the gift of sport, in which the human person exercises his body, intellect and will, recognising these abilities as so many gifts of his Creator.” There’s a reason why you are an athlete. Glorify God with your talents. Win or lose, you can honor HIm. Let being an athlete help you become a saint.
10. Your coaches love you and are praying for you. Did we make you run? Duh. Did you sometimes make me want to pull my hair out? Of course. But would I do anything for you? Without a doubt.
Love, Coach Foley