By Collin Smith–
Gonzaga College High School attracts students from all walks of life with the diverse culture, education and extracurricular activities available. Among those esteemed ventures is Gonzaga’s Athletic Program, dedicated to building up student-athletes on and off the playing surface.
The term “student athlete” is worded that way to emphasize that “student” always comes first. Many of the student athletes at Gonzaga dedication have offered them the opportunity to play their sport at the next level and continue their education.
Coaches occupy an important role in seeing their players develop as men and succeed, whether in future athletics or not. Coaches who have had the opportunity to see their former players “maximize their potential” find excitement and pride in their former athletes.
“The excitement as a coach when somebody makes it to the next level is, wow. You know this person was able to in some ways maximize their potential in a way because of the way they worked. It’s a it’s a really, really good feeling when somebody makes it to the next level,” said Mr. Randy Trivers, head coach of football.
For many coaches, their pivotal role in setting their players up for the future in becoming successful young men, and seeing them reach their goals is why they love coaching.
“One of the main reasons why I love to coach is because I want to watch young men reach their full potential and reach all the goals that they set for themselves in life. You know, we as coaches in high school are just a launching pad for kids to succeed on and off the field,” said Mr. Jeff King, lacrosse head coach.
While coaches find joy in practices, winning games and hoisting championship trophies, they understand that success for their players means so much more. All of the young men they have coached along the way are the “walking trophies” of their careers.
“Probably the most exciting part of my coaching is being able to see what I like to call my ‘walking trophies’, and those are these guys being able to take advantage of being here at Gonzaga and getting an unbelievable education, playing the sport and probably the best league in the country,” said Mr. Steve Turner, head basketball coach. “What makes the moment the proudest is when those guys graduate from there, and you see them in their cap and gown walking across the stage, and you know that everything that they got done here was the foundation for where they are now.”
The coaches’ dedication to building their players into young men shows that a coach’s role goes far beyond the field, court, pool and track. Helping these players grow and develop is the true joy for many of Gonzaga’s coaches. When the athletes enter Eye Street, they are taught how to become great men, and through that, they become great winners.