The Women of Coaching, Part 1

Throughout my career, I've been blessed to work with some amazing female coaches. Yes, I've worked with great coaches in general, but females in our profession are rare. It's especially tough to be a mom and a coach, but if the passion is within you and the calling is clear, you do it. Because without sports, there would be a void.

Shannon Lands came into my life in 2000, my first year of coaching, and to this day we stay in touch. Maybe it's only once a year at the Regional Golf Tournament, but each year we squeal like teenagers and hug as though it's been decades since our last encounter. Shannon mentored me in my first years in the profession, the hardest by far, and I'm forever indebted to her.

Shannon Massie came to Bonham a few years later, just as my other Shannon was leaving. Fate, no doubt. She was our head basketball coach, and I was one of her assistants. In high school, basketball was my LOVE. I was pretty good at it, too, but soon after college reality hit: I sucked as a basketball coach. I can teach any basketball skills a player needs, but when it comes to live action basketball play, I lose it. Shannon held my hand the entire year, and thankfully, that's the only year I've ever had to coach basketball.

Shannon and I were connected at the hip. Our families ate together often, our house, their house, favorite restaurants. We were even pregnant at the same time, due only a couple of months apart. I'll never forget the day Michael and I left Bonham. I cried a lot that day. We've drifted apart, a common theme in my life, as the coaching life is busy, but I have no doubt I could call her even now, and she'd be there for me.

Unless you've been in our shoes, you can't understand what it's like to be a female in this profession. The double standards? Too many to count. (Maybe a topic for another time.) But when you're lucky enough to not only have a great coach by your side, but also someone you call a friend, the job is a little easier. And definitely more fun!

See the Good, Be the Good