Coach of the year @schwabwrestling To a spouse of a coach I don’t know if there is anything more important to us than someone recognizing the value of the work our husbands or wives do in the time they give and the passion they hold for a sport that carries so much weight in our home. It can come in the form of a message, a high five, an administrator showing up, but it is especially special when the people of the sport that know what is sacrificed recognize the value you bring to the sport you both love and share. I remember you telling me you would probably always be the last to leave the room. In our early years and in our hard years I remember thinking he never has a sense of urgency to get home, but the truth is you just have a passion for staying. You have a passion for giving wherever you are whether thats at work or home and pouring out every last drop until there is nothing left to give. And the truth is how could you have such a level of passion for something like you do wrestling without it being your calling. As a spouse even when it sucks to have you miss special moments or just the everyday ramblings some weeks of our kids, when viewed from the point of this is what you were called to do how can I not be thankful that you are able to carry out his plan so well? ( Also remind me of this last sentence when I’m tired this week). I know I’m biased, but my most favorite part is hearing you speak because its never from a place of I know better, its always from the place of lets learn together. You openly share about the work you are doing on yourself, the things you are working through or the struggles you have and that has created the space for not only your athletes, but also our kids to do the same. I can’t think of anything more important that showing these kids how to be vulnerable, take responsibility, all while freeing them from the typical shame of failure and rather turning it into a stage of growth. Like you said this award should be staff of the year and I am thankful for the staff you have and their families that also sacrifice so much so that this train can stay on the tracks. I will say it also takes a special person to be a conductor and true leaders aren’t afraid of those around them becoming better than them, they are actually the ones encouraging it. Your staff is lucky to have you as the one to encourage them and we are lucky to have you as the one to encourage our family. Love you. The best is yet to come.
