Written by: Matt Knab
 
If I could sum up Why I Coach it would be this: I coach because of the immense impact and influence each leader has had on my life as an athlete and more importantly as a person beyond the sport.
 
To be able to step into a coaching role and have a chance to impact any athlete, even if it is just a small fraction of how the coaches in my life impacted me, then coaching would be worth every second of it. Why I coach starts with my experience as an athlete as I alluded to. From competing at a young age in soccer leagues where everyone gets a trophy to wrapping up my time as an athlete playing volleyball in college, what always seemed to attract me as an athlete was someone with wisdom. Wisdom in sport, wisdom in life, and most importantly wisdom in faith. Curiosity and questions were what drove me to grow and be challenged.
 
I can only thank the Lord for putting coaches in my journey as ones who pushed me past my limits physically and mentally. I could try and think of ways that these coaches made me a star athlete and made my collegiate years playing well worth it because of my success on the court, but truthfully, I was an okay athlete. What made my experience unique was the impact that lasted way past the final game. I wouldn't change a thing.
 
This starts at the values instilled in my life that have been impacted by each coach I've played under. Thinking through the past 20 or so years competing as an athlete, there are so many golden nuggets of wisdom and moments that I could reference as to why I wanted to become a coach. Yet I think it all sums up to this, "Train yourself to be Goldy, for physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8.
 
Entering into a role as a coach, you see the added pressures of success not only for the team but also for yourself as your job may depend on it. Coming back to the question, Why do I Coach, I long to impact athletes in a way that has them striving for success in all they do. To be able to challenge them to hold themselves to the highest standards on and off the court. Helping them to reach their goals of a championship or All-American honors. To be someone who is witnessing their journey from the first day they step into the gym to the last day in a jersey. To be someone who is able to challenge them for another rep, to go again, and supports them as they learn and grow.
 
My hope is that each athlete that I am fortunate enough to coach has the opportunity to play for a championship and take that with them wherever they may go. Yet more importantly my hope is that I can shed light on what sports as a platform can be. To not only be a high level championship athlete but to take away something more important than that.
 
My hope is that they are prepared for the next stage of life, where there are no whistles and no sets to be played. For me, being a successful coach is providing a culture that lasts beyond their college experience. If there is ever a moment where I can be used to impact an athlete in even the smallest fraction of those who invested in me, then that is what success looks like. That is why I coach.