Story By: Mikayla Valentine Picture By: Braxton Cover
To many athletes, success is measured by the number of trophies, medals and awards lined up on the shelf. While the TR athletic trophy cases are full with 20 state championships, coaches hold athletes to a different standard of success -- that of well-rounded, grounded adults.
Coaches teach sportsmanship and teamwork. Athletes play for each other, not just themselves, and one of the most important lessons the players learn is how to accept and learn from failure. That real-life lesson stays with athletes long after high school.
Head baseball coach Joe White says his proudest moment is, “watching the kids who have played for me be successful in their lives with their careers, marriages, and their kids.”
Although the skills of the game may fade, these players remember how to accept failure, how to overcome obstacles and become the best person they can be.
According to sportpsych.org, psychologist Jack J. Lesyk says sports are more about doing the best you can than winning everything. It’s all about the mental skills and how well the athlete puts that into the real world.
He says the athlete should maintain a positive attitude, and understand that sports are not all about being perfect but should pursue personal excellence. By knowing that mistakes will happen athletes can make connections from their sport to the real world.
“I think being a good athlete comes from being able to view any ‘negatives’ as a positive in someway and finding the motivation to continuously improve,” said senior poms caption Mandy Petersen.
Next, coaches encourage athletes to stay self-motivated by setting personal goals. This also teaches athletes how to depend only on themselves.
“Passion and dedication for the sport you play over anything,” said senior basketball player Jaz’Myne Snipes, “Especially if you aren’t naturally athletic, you have to work hard to become that, and be willing to overcome some adversity along the way because it won't be easy.”
When setting goals, athletes should choose something that is a challenge yet realistic. Goals should reflect where an athlete ultimately wants to be as well as the steps it takes to get there. Small goals are important to make the larger goals easier to obtain, experts say.
One of the biggest things about sports is interaction with others: teammates, other teams’ players, coaches, trainers and parents.
A successful athlete works well with others and respects others. Just like in the real world it is important to respect others and take criticism from a superior, athletes say.
“Sports are about being a good teammate and having good sportsmanship,” sophomore athlete Ryan Valentine said. “Even when it’s hard to stay collected. It’s very easy to get frustrated, but a good athlete will stay calm.”
In sports, the goal is to win, that’s obvious, but TR coaches prepare the athletes for the real world. It’s more important to become a good person and learn something about yourself than to win a couple games. In the end, athletes all remember the lessons they learn and the memories they create, not how many games they won in a season.
Coaches teach sportsmanship and teamwork. Athletes play for each other, not just themselves, and one of the most important lessons the players learn is how to accept and learn from failure. That real-life lesson stays with athletes long after high school.
Head baseball coach Joe White says his proudest moment is, “watching the kids who have played for me be successful in their lives with their careers, marriages, and their kids.”
Although the skills of the game may fade, these players remember how to accept failure, how to overcome obstacles and become the best person they can be.
According to sportpsych.org, psychologist Jack J. Lesyk says sports are more about doing the best you can than winning everything. It’s all about the mental skills and how well the athlete puts that into the real world.
He says the athlete should maintain a positive attitude, and understand that sports are not all about being perfect but should pursue personal excellence. By knowing that mistakes will happen athletes can make connections from their sport to the real world.
“I think being a good athlete comes from being able to view any ‘negatives’ as a positive in someway and finding the motivation to continuously improve,” said senior poms caption Mandy Petersen.
Next, coaches encourage athletes to stay self-motivated by setting personal goals. This also teaches athletes how to depend only on themselves.
“Passion and dedication for the sport you play over anything,” said senior basketball player Jaz’Myne Snipes, “Especially if you aren’t naturally athletic, you have to work hard to become that, and be willing to overcome some adversity along the way because it won't be easy.”
When setting goals, athletes should choose something that is a challenge yet realistic. Goals should reflect where an athlete ultimately wants to be as well as the steps it takes to get there. Small goals are important to make the larger goals easier to obtain, experts say.
One of the biggest things about sports is interaction with others: teammates, other teams’ players, coaches, trainers and parents.
A successful athlete works well with others and respects others. Just like in the real world it is important to respect others and take criticism from a superior, athletes say.
“Sports are about being a good teammate and having good sportsmanship,” sophomore athlete Ryan Valentine said. “Even when it’s hard to stay collected. It’s very easy to get frustrated, but a good athlete will stay calm.”
In sports, the goal is to win, that’s obvious, but TR coaches prepare the athletes for the real world. It’s more important to become a good person and learn something about yourself than to win a couple games. In the end, athletes all remember the lessons they learn and the memories they create, not how many games they won in a season.