Erica Ralfs

Why are so many talented coaches getting out of coaching? One reason is because the coaching portion of their job is now just 1% of the position. A large part of coaching is adapting to the rapidly changing landscape of athletics including: *Roster management *Student-athlete needs *Engaging boosters/stakeholders *Conflict resolution *Academic advising and monitoring *Working with administration *Program marketing *Staff management *Creative solutions and vision *Budgeting and logistics *Creating and managing expectations with players, staff, administration, parents, and community (this includes managing and working through politics) The job is more comprehensive than ever and is becoming less about coaching and more about creating and managing. The head coach is essentially a CEO of a small business. Coaching isn’t different than other industries though. For example, many restaurant owners opened their restaurant because they love cooking and are very talented in the kitchen. However, once their business gets going they are often in the kitchen less and focusing more on the restaurant operations as a whole. They didn’t open their restaurant with a passion of engaging with unruly customers, managing workforce turnover, working with food vendors on increased pricing due to inflation, or managing costly building repairs. However, all of these things are paramount to running a successful restaurant. Many coaches say the player-coach impact/relations as well as X’s and O’s are the things they love most about coaching. It’s the reason why they got into coaching. Much like the restaurant owner, coaches need to adapt to and embrace the many things that aren’t their direct passion to be able to be successful. Embrace the required 99% so you get to do the 1% you love.

You don't need the best equipment and facilities to become a champion. What you need is inner drive, mental toughness, and strong character. Your mindset is the foundation of success because it is what drives your actions.

@CoachFerrill Thank you so much for the kind words and endless support!! Couldn’t have been possible without your example.

I'm beyond proud of this young lady. She is mature and wise way beyond her years. I had the pleasure of watching her coach last week, and I was simply amazed at how well she handled herself and represented Davenport West High School. @EricaRalfs

@StudRudd Thank you very much!! I’ll be looking for your next interview as a player/coach, keep killing it

great job coach @EricaRalfs 🫡

Incredibly grateful to be able to learn along side these girls every day!! It’s truly an honor to watch them achieve in character as well as athletic ability.

5-minute makeup challenge with @mje_51 ⭐️ The @FSU_Softball star talks the inspiration behind her elaborate game day makeup, and puts her skills to the test on @FSU_CoachWilson's daughter, Josie. #WCWS

Fundraiser by Armani Culbreath : Jermilyn Gardner (#1) gofund.me/e1e00b55

Softball: Erica Ralfs named to NFCA All-Region First Team saubees.com/x/vvoso

@JaydenRodgers_0 👑👑👑

Softball: Shai Erdrich, Erica Ralfs named first team all-CCAC; Alyssa Schumacher on second team saubees.com/x/xxlbd

@kaatiesandy 😏😏😏

Softball: Erica Ralfs named CCAC Pitcher of the Week saubees.com/x/8ayly

Softball: SAU closes regular season with sweep of IU South Bend saubees.com/x/ru3dk

Your fighting bees defeat UI South bend 5-0 in game #1! @EricaRalfs got the complete game shut out on the mound! 🎉🎉 Game #2 starting 🔜

Softball: SAU closes home slate with sweep of Cardinal Stritch saubees.com/x/b7ttl

🚨 🚨ATTENTION ST. AMBROSE🚨🚨 COME ON OUT TO ST. VINCENTS TOMORROW, SATURDAY APRIL 22 AT 1 PM TO CELEBRATE OUR 3 TREMENDOUS SENIORS! Come on out for our double header against Roosevelt and for the senior celebration!! 🥳😍 @EricaRalfs @mariapr0venzano @kaylastenger9

Bees are UP!

During last weeks games against Olivet Nazarene, Waldorf and Judson, senior @EricaRalfs did her thing!! In 20 at bats, she collected 8 hits and 2 RBIs including her 2nd and 3rd home runs of the season!! 🤩🤩🥳

Softball: Big innings late help Bees sweep Eagles saubees.com/x/j9k7p

It’s a busy week for your Fighting Bees softball team!! This week we play 8 games: •Tuesday @ Olivet Nazarene, 3 & 5 pm •Thursday @ Waldorf, 2 & 4 pm •Saturday @ Judson, 12 & 2 pm •Sunday vs. St. Francis, 12 & 2 pm!