With three days remaining before I turn 50, one thought keeps coming back to me.
So much of the journey has been defined by the people involved in athletics — especially the student-athletes and coaches I’ve had the privilege to work alongside over the years.
Athletics has a unique way of creating connections that go beyond the scoreboard. The games, meets, and matches may last a few hours, but the lessons and relationships often last much longer.
As I reflect on nearly five decades of life — and many years working around college athletics — I’m reminded of how much those relationships have meant.
The Student-Athletes
To the student-athletes I’ve worked with over the years, you’ve probably taught me as much as I’ve ever helped you.
You taught me about commitment — the early mornings, the late practices, the constant pursuit of improvement. You showed what it means to balance competition, academics, and life at a time when expectations are high and time is limited.
But more than that, you reminded me why college athletics matters.
It’s not just about wins and losses. It’s about growth, resilience, teamwork, and learning how to respond when things don’t go as planned. Watching so many of you evolve over the course of your college careers — and then go on to succeed in life beyond sports — has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Seeing former student-athletes build careers, lead families, and contribute to their communities is a reminder that the impact of those years extends far beyond the playing field.
The Coaches
And to the coaches — the leaders who guide those student-athletes — your influence is often greater than you realize.
Coaching requires patience, vision, and the ability to develop people, not just players. It’s a profession that demands long hours, emotional investment, and a belief in young people who are still figuring out who they are and who they want to become.
Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to observe countless examples of leadership, mentorship, and dedication from coaches who truly care about their teams.
The best ones understand that while championships are celebrated, the real legacy lies in the people they help shape.
Why It Matters
Working in and around athletics has given me a front-row seat to moments that are both unforgettable and instructive — dramatic wins, difficult losses, personal breakthroughs, and the quiet moments of growth that don’t always make headlines.
Those experiences have reinforced something important: athletics is ultimately about people.
The relationships formed through practices, road trips, locker rooms, and long seasons often become lifelong connections.
With three days remaining before I turn 50, I find myself especially grateful for the student-athletes and coaches who have allowed me to be part of their journey in some small way.
You’ve made the path more meaningful than you probably realize.
And for that, I’m thankful.
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