During my senior year of high school the members of my senior class were instructed to do a 120 hour long senior project. We had known about it all through high school; teachers even instructed us to come up with ideas during our junior year and have them approved.
I always knew what I wanted to do for my project. From 2nd grade until 10th grade I played basketball. Basketball, and soccer, were my life. I wasn’t the best- at either sport, honestly- but I still loved playing. My coaches loved my determination and feisty defense in basketball. I was the kid that got ejected out of some games. Catholic school basketball (2nd to 8th grade) wasn’t all that holy, folks.
So I knew that I would go back to Our Lady of Fatima and coach basketball. I was signed up to coach our JV team, which consists of 5th and 6th graders. However, I was reeled in to coaching JJV, which is 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. After a month of coaching, I was asked to help coach Varsity, 7th and 8th grade, as well. It was a lot of work, but incredibly rewarding.
Now mostly with these senior projects, people do the 120 hours, the corresponding presentations and then never go back to the project or associate with people from the project. However, for me, I was reeled in by the kids I coached.
I’m in my third year of coaching now, and I love it. I love the kids, the parents and my fellow coaches. It’s incredibly corny, but these kids have changed my life. I’ll give you an example. My first year of coaching, one of my 8th graders was named Kennede. Kennede had such an impact on me, because she saw me as an older sister of sorts. I think a lot of the girls think that way.
It is pretty crazy though. My 8th, 7th, and 6th graders are all kids that were just beginning their days at Fatima when I was in my 8th grade year. It’s crazy to see how much they’ve grown in their minds, feelings, and height. Especially the height, because a majority of my Varsity kids are taller than me. They never let me forget it, but I don’t mind. I love seeing them laugh and smile.
When I eventually move out of Pennsylvania, it’ll be tough to say goodbye to my kids. Forming the bond with these girls and their families is something pretty special. A majority of my Varsity girls even have my number so they can reach me if they want to talk to someone older about a problem, or if they just have questions. I’m always ready to answer the phone, even if they are prank calls.
Coaching basketball has been one of the greatest joys of my life. We’ve won championships, defeated old foes and celebrated each other. My favorite memory with the team is every time we play Sts. Peter and Paul, because it’s special to see the rivalry continued from when I was playing and they were our rivals.
Here’s to my kids, for being the greatest blessing in my life. I love them all dearly, even if I do want to throw the basketball at them sometime.