My first Packer Punk

Every coach has that first athlete... the first athlete they ever coached... and formed that connection with... that life bond with that goes outside of the volleyball and basketball court... that carries on after the seasons-even after the game is all done....I refer to my athletes as my punks... and well I have alot of them... yet I can't wait to have a lot more...each so different... each coming into my life-and I realize that I am not the only one who is coaching... I am also learning from each and everyone of them... As a coach you don't have favorites... and if you do you certainly never voice them...but as a coach you remember that first... and you know you will never forget that first punk... because that punk is the reason why you want to coach... why you want a million more punks in your life... Well my first packer punk was a girl by the name of Jamie Green.... now I got to have quite a bond with many of those girls when I started coaching junior high volleyball and basketball...but Jamie ended up being on my volleyball and basketball team... so my time with her was a bit longer than the rest... I am proud to say I have watched her, Whitney, Sadie, Amanda, and Jill grow from junior high all the way thru high school. I am proud that I have a bond and a special connection with all the Punks I have coached. With Jamie... I knew from the very first moment I met her... she was special... and I knew she would be apart of my life forever. Over the years I have been apart of her life and her apart of mine I have come to realize that she is like my punk of a little sister. And I am so honored to have her in my life and for me to be apart of hers.

She can always be found with a smile on her face...she's a hard worker-she's positive-she has more strength and will in her than she even realizes. She's the type of kid that you wished you had about 5 or 6 more of her when you are coaching...because she is just so coachable...something that lacks in many kids I have found from time to time...but with her...you tell her to do something-show her how to do something...and she will do it...no questions or complaining...she just does it. She doesn't back talk or talk negative...Now don't go thinking she's perfect...I love the punk but she has her downfalls...yet all I seem to see is her thru it all. My hope is for her to fully and competely believe in herself...in her potential not just in sports but more importantly in life-in herself as a person. I hope she sees the greatness that lies within her... and more than anything I hope she lets that greatness out... I hope she can one day see herself as I see her...she is capable of so much... things she never thinks of... of reaching dreams she never thinks are reachable...yet I know they are... I believe in her and I am beyond proud of her... as an athlete yes but even more so as a person... and as long as I coach... my future punks will know all about my first packer punk...her and of course the rest of my packer punks...like I said before...those Packer Punks (ALL OF THEM) mean the world to me...and they (EACH and EVERY SINGLE ONE) will always be apart of my life--- and I will always be around if they need me...I am pretty darn blessed to have such amazing people in my life...I am so grateful to say I coached these gals...I am proud to call them my packer punks...I am proud to have that first packer punk in my life still to this day...Jamie Green...a girl that has never lost her smile...and I hope she never does.

Jilly Jelly

From the moment I met her...I knew she was a rare...she was different...she was special...she's the only athlete I have had thus far to give a special name to...its not something I do...I don't play favorites...but with her its different...its just something about her that I can't fully explain...all I know is she is full of life....she has a zest for life like I have never seen before. Her smile could light up a whole room...she isn't afraid to be goofy...or look like a dork...she loves to smile-laugh-sing and oh yes dance. You can tell she loves her friends and family by the smile that forms across her face when she is with them or talks about them. I have known this punk for a long time...and what I thought of her...how I saw her way back when...well I was smack on...yet she is even more now...the person she has grown into is one amazing young woman.

She's a college girl now... off finding herself... learning about herself... growing into herself...and becoming herself... she's making mistakes-making memories... she's laughing and crying... dreaming... working... prolly causing some trouble and reaching for those dreams. She isn't perfect nor is she trying to be...she's just being her...fully and completely... and hopefully she knows that's all she needs to me. I hope she realizes the gift she is to this world and the greatness that lies in her soul...I hope she knows she isn't like everyone else.... she comes from a special breed...cut from a special cloth...for she is a person you turn to and find yourself inspired by how they live... how they give... how they love... how they care...how they treat others... how they make others laugh and smile. She's the person I know others turn to when they are having a bad day...I know she will make them feel special in her gentle loving Jill way... She has a gift to brighten the lives of others.... She makes you feel comfortable as well just being who you are is enough. She is a true liver of life...a gal who lives with passion and compassion...a gal who prolly is a lot like me when it comes to the darkness that life can be...but her inner strength is something that I feel not even she has realized just how strong it is....she a beautiful girl but what lies on the outside is nothing compared to what lies inside...her inner beauty is glowing...is breath taking....trust me when I say there aren't too many souls like hers...I know great things lie in her journey...I know much greatness will happen in her life...I could tell that from the moment I met her...just a girl growing into herself with a big smile...even then I could feel the life pour out of her...you know the life I am talkin about...the true true kind....she's sunshine in the best form.

For she is a person once you meet you are left speechless...you know you are in the presence of something amazing...you know this person is different in the best way....and you say to yourself...I better keep this girl in my watch (a thought I had in her jr. high days)...for the things she will do are going to be something to truly watch....Jilly Jelly...turns out....I have be right...and the best part is...she's just getting started...I am proud of you Jill Utter...my Jilly Jelly.

They will rattle the stars

Its bssketball season and thou its been now 2 years since I have been apart of Packer Basketball I have found I miss it more and more as time goes by. Being a part of Packer ball gave my life true meaning and purpose. I felt like my time was being served with making a difference and mattering. Not just a coach for basketball but also a coach for life...ya it was mainly about the x and o's of the sport but I have always felt that where I truly made an impact had more to deal with the being than the player. I cared more about their lives after sports than I did for that moment. Don't get me wrong I am a highly competitive person and I want to work hard and win. But I know that other things weigh heavier than wins or losses.

Thru coaching I have gained the honor of knowin some pretty amazing gals. I am proud to say I have a special bond with each and every player I coached. In fact I still know all their names and faces and better yet I am still in contact with over hundreds that I have coached in volleyball softball and basketball. I still get emails messages calls and cards giving me updates and asking for advice. I take great pride in the fact that the bonds I have with these girls didn't end with the turning of the seasons or graduation. In fact they only flourish from there. And all of those girls know that it will cont to be just that until I take my last breath in this life...why do I want to stay in touch with all of them like that??? Simple...because each and everyone of them is worth it! Because they bring such deep meaning into my life...in ways I will never be able to explain. I am more because when they trust in me and look to me for advice and guidence I am built up to be more of the person I am meant to be. I am better for knowing them and I am honored to be apart of their lives as people not just their lives in sports. I look forward to watchin them each rattle even the stars!!

They see greatness in me...in ways I don't see...but what they over look and never see is the greatness that lies inside of them! They will make a difference and matter not just in my life but in countless others...just watch and seem