A Coach’s Legacy:
The Impact That Lasts a Lifetime

Not long ago, I hosted a cross-country meet at Decatur High School. Hosting a cross-country meet is much like hosting any other significant event. Logistics, planning, and preparation go into hosting a successful event. Things were going well as I walked to the starting line to start the day's last race. 

As I made my way through the crowd to arrive at the starting line, I made eye contact with a gentleman who looked very familiar. When our eyes met, he broke out with a big smile. Immediately, I realized that the man who stood before me was a track star I had coached thirty-two years ago. Without a word, I walked up and gave him a big hug. Suddenly, getting that last race started wasn’t that important anymore. I wanted to stay and talk with him. I asked him to stay where he was while I started the last race, then I would be back.

Walking to the starting line, I felt a flood of memories and emotions running through me. My forty-year career came rushing back to me. I thought to myself, I wonder which athlete he was here to watch. After I started the last race, I turned and walked back to him. For him to be here this late, the person he was watching must be in this race. I don’t want him to miss the race, so we can talk when the 3200-meter race is over.

I walked up to him, asking who he was watching. His response floored me. “Coach, I’m not watching anyone. I’m here to watch you doing what you do best.” He pointed up the hill at the track. Waving at me was his wife (and high school sweetheart) and their grown daughter. We are here to see you. He went on to say that I didn’t know the impact I had on his life. Also, it helped shape his decision-making and way of thinking. In the few days that followed, I was dumbfounded that it was important enough for him to take time out of his busy schedule to travel to Decatur just to watch me coach. What were the things that impacted him so much?