I heard these often growing up as a coach's kid, which made me proud to be the daughter of Coach. There is a usual line that is common with coach's wives; they are "married to the game." All the sacrifices wives make to support their husbands and keep the family together never go unnoticed. But some people are often overlooked, coach's kids.
Coach's kids had no choice in their dad being a coach; they were "born into the game." Don't overlook their struggles. It's hard to share their parent with a whole team of kids. A coach's kid has to be selfless. I want them to know they are not alone. It can be lonely, but they will get through it like I did. It helped me through life. Life lessons taught through being a coach's kid are unlike any other.
Being a coach's daughter is a battle in itself. From hearing people in the stands yelling at your dad, moving to different towns and schools, your dad missing your games, and only seeing him through the school hallways because he gets home late are just a few struggles coach's kids go through.
Many challenges come with the title of "coach's kid." It is a title I take with me to this day.
In my senior year of high school, my dad's team lost their playoff game. I was upset. I told my dad, "I'm not a coach's kid anymore." I cried. I was afraid to move on. I was a coach's kid for 18 years. How was I supposed to move on?
Fast forward three years. My husband was two semesters away from graduating college (We got married when I was 20 and he was 19). He was a Kinselogoy major - he wanted to coach. When my husband told me he wanted to change his major and wanted to coach, I was not thrilled. I lived in the coaching world my whole life. I was nervous for our future kids. I knew my mother's struggles (I want to add that she handled it with grace). I wasn't sure I wanted my kids to go through what I went through.
After the original shock, I remember that I still am a coach's kid. And if it weren't for my dad being a coach, I would not be the person I am today.
The struggles of being a coach's kid made me a stronger person. It taught me to try my hardest in anything I do. It made it tough. Sure, I missed my dad during the season. But I remember it meant even more when we were together. I was okay to share him because he was changing athlete's life.
I tell people I have been practicing being a coach's wife my whole life. So I know what I signed up for. I have seen how amazing a coach can be in an athlete's life. I am blessed to know what I am getting into.
I am excited for my first season as a coach's wife and coach's daughter. My husband works for my father, which brings different struggles. I will be in the stands cheering for my two most important men. So, bring it on.
If you see a coach's kid, show them grace. Tell them you see their struggles if you are a coach's wife with sons or daughters. They hear negative comments about their dad, and it hurts. Don't forget to remember the kids who did not have a choice in being a coach's kid.
I see you, and I want you to know that you will get through the season, and you will get your dad back. You might have to share him, but he will always return to you. After all, we were "born into the game."