Guided By Greatness

By Jason Phan

Going into my sophomore year, I really wanted to join the football team and play the sport I had been watching since I was a little kid. I was too scared and nervous in my freshman year to try out. I entered football not knowing much, but only the basics, like what a first down is and the rules, and the point system of the game. But having the people around me helping me, and especially this one Coach named Donovan. 

Donovan was the first coach I really connected with because of his age and his personality, especially how chill and cool he was with us joking around with him. He would be cool with us calling him names and having a nickname for him, and just overall joking around when we were supposed to be serious. He has always been one of the coaches I've been close to and has always been talkative with. Him being 20 years old when we first met him made it even more appealing, especially since he related to us being young, too. 

Even when I wasn’t doing any good and not playing my best, he would always encourage me to do better, knowing that we as a team work better when we are doubted. One of the things that I remember him doing is always checking up on me and always asking me what I did wrong and how I should fix it, and giving me support and advice. 

When I first met Coach Jay, I was struck by the way he mentored me by pushing me to work harder and have dedication to the game. He was pushing for the best and always wanted the best for us. But over time, I came to love the way he encourages us to do better and always wants us to push ourselves for the better, not for him but for us. He doesn't develop us into better football players; overall, he pushes us to be better people and gentlemen, rather than just being better players. 

It took time for me to get used to other coaches, such as Coach Jay. I was originally afraid of him. Especially his workout and conditioning were what were making me fear him, because then I really wasn't fit to do all of that. Still, over time, I just realized that he just wants better for us, and instead of fearing him, I became more open to doing all of these conditioning and workouts with him. 

Over time, I became more comfortable with Jay, and having him around has been a blast for me because I know he wants better for me. Also, having him joking around with me and overall having fun moments with him made me idolize him even more. 

With me coming into my Junior year, Coach Mike was one of the coaches I had to get used to, especially because of my position change and his being the head coach. Coach Mike inspired me to take risks and always stand by them. A risk he took was by mentioning me to play a position that I've never played mid-season, due to another player's injury. Mike was the varsity head coach when I first started my sophomore year. I had a few interactions with him, but I really didn't know him. Mike has always been that coach who has also had my back, encouraging me to always do better and always take risks.

But after all of this, I'm very grateful for all of my coaches and for what they have done for me and what they have built within me and turning me into a young gentleman. Will always be grateful for Coach Donovan trusting me and taking a risk and turning me into a skill position instead of keeping me as a lineman. I'll always be thankful for Coach Jay for building me up with dedication and hard work, and always believing that I can do better, and always trusting me out on that field and in school overall. And Coach Mike Ill will always be thankful for him taking a risk with me and trusting me to fill in a spot that was taken by a guy overall better than me.