Undefeated....so far

I coach basketball. I was actually hired at Macon-East for the main purpose to coach basketball and the added purpose to coach volleyball and teach Math. My first year was the hardest thing I've ever done. I taught 5 DIFFERENT classes. That is 5 different preps. Of these classes were some of the hardest kids to motivate and discipline (considering a private school). I coached Varsity Volleyball and ran the JV. I coached the JV and Varsity Basketball Team. I had some part-time help this year, but I still think they were trying to kill me or scare me off in my first year. Coupled with the fact that I was new and eager and would get myself up at 5 am to leave the house at 6:10 to drive 45 minutes to get to the school at 7 am to tutor kids in my class at the place where I never really got to leave in the first place, except to go home and take a nap/sleep.

My second year the class load was much improved. I taught 2 math classes and the rest PE, the load that was taken off with class prep and grading papers was unbelievable. However this year, I had 0 help. Zero. I coached jv and varsity volleyball an jv and varsity basketball. My problem is, whatever i do, I am going to do it the best I can. I tried really hard not to slack on one or the other. Without any help and backup, and through a lot of diversity I think this year about made me lose my mind. I feel like this year in my life was lost, because anything besides my job was nearly nonexistent. If I wasn't at the school, I was either sleeping or crying(the stress was hard and the lack of perspective from never getting to step away made me crazy) But I have to say, through some of my hardest times so far, i think (i hope) it strengthened me the most.

I am in my third year and I coached JV and Varsity Volleyball again by myself. With no help except my sympathetic and dear dad who sat on the bench with me during games. In the past the "no life" part was hard, but it was ok. I felt I was paying my dues. But having just gotten married, it wasn't "just me" anymore. Approaching basketball season, I knew the same situation was going to be and I just didn't feel that I physically or mentally could do it anymore. Coupled with the fact that I wanted to have some time to spend with my husband and family. I know i can't take back these years, and I did not think that was fair to him. I stepped down from the Varsity Basketball Coaching job, asking someone else to do it. I knew it would be easier to get someone to coach the V instead of the JV and less stressful with only a JV job. I also had a lot of pride in my JV team having worked to get them where they are and build the program.

I know success will come and go, but this year has really been rewarding. I have had 2 hard years and some negativity to deal with. But all I could do was my best and do what I could to try to make my players better. This is one of those years where it has paid off. I coached JV and Varisty Volleyball. My JV team was 10-2 regular season and won 2nd at their state tournament. My varsity won their region and went to the final four.

We are in the middle of basketball season. Let me give you some background.

My first year coaching basketball, our Junior High basketball team was 3-13. The girls weren't sure they liked basketball because they didn't feel like they were good at it. We worked in the off season and went to summer camp. I think we didn't win a game at camp, but they got better. The next season the team was 7-5.

So, as I said earlier, I am only coaching the JV girls. As of now, we are undefeated. That is not to say we will stay undefeated (hope so) but at 9-0 I never knew how rewarding, proud, and how good it would make me feel to be this far in the season and to be undefeated. I know it is "just" jv, but to me and to those girls it's more than that.

Undefeated.....I love it.

I will try to keep you updated on the success or lack there of through out the rest of the season.