All I Really Need to Know

So, the other night my high school basketball coach, who coached 19 years before retiring at the end of last season, was honored at our high school. Because of the storm that blew in Monday night and continued until...well, it's actually still snowing, so I don't know if this is technically the same storm or not...I wasn't able to attend. My sisters, who also played for him, both were there and said it was a fun night.

It got me thinking a lot about the time I spent playing ball for Pine View, and I wanted to write a little something for my coach, to let him know how much I appreciated those four years. For posterity, here is what I wrote:

All I Really Need to Know I Learned Playing Basketball for Coach Higgins

Some of my best memories come from the four years I spent playing basketball
for Coach Higgins. But little did I know that amidst all the running, shooting,
running, passing, and yes, the running, I was learning things that would affect
the rest of my life. Now, as I look back on the things that I learned, I can
honestly say that everything I really need to know I learned playing basketball
for Coach Higgins.

I learned about relationships by being part of a team:
--TEAM=Together Everyone Achieves More
--If you suffer a heart-breaking loss (and chances are, you will), it helps to
have someone to cry with
--When you need a break, someone will always be there to back you up
--Bonds forged by blood, sweat and tears can never be broken

I learned about toughness from coach:
--Pre-wrap and athletic tape can fix anything
--When you feel like you can't take another step, get "on the
line" once more
--Skin grows back
--Tough guys aren't afraid to show how much they care

I learned parenting from playing defense:
--Never turn your back on your man
--Stay out of foul trouble
--Deny the ball, and always get a hand in their face
--If you get beat, your teammates will pick up the slack
--Sometimes the only thing that will work is a full-court press


I learned about life from every single thing we did:
--Always be aggressive
--As long as there's lead in the air, just keep shooting
--You can rest when the game is over
--After a long, hard climb, there's nothing like the view from the top
--You'll never regret leaving everything out on the court
--The memories we make will last a lifetime
--And above all, learn from the geese and FLY TOGETHER!

Coach Higgins, it's only fitting that you are being honored tonight, and I
wish I could be there to celebrate your amazing career. You changed my life, and
the lives of all those who played for you. Thank you for teaching us, for
fighting for us, for crying with us, and for loving us. I am honored to have
been able to call you my coach.