Coaches of Libertyville

“Having a coach that understands what they’re going through off the field, what they’re going through in the classroom, and what they’re going through in their athletic careers I think gives me an opportunity to really have a big impact on these kids in a positive way and help them make better decisions with their life. [I] help them be more confident when they approach day-to-day situations...

“I would say that wrestling -- I mean, obviously it’s an individual sport -- but I think it’s more of a team sport than people from the outside see it as. You go through so much together through your training. Every guy on the team knows when some guy has a great win, how good that feels [and] can’t wait to congratulate them; they know how bad a tough loss feels [and] they console them. How o...

“If you’re on the basketball team, in order for you to be successful, you have to be passionate about the sport and about competing and about basketball. You get to see that passion that students have in a whole different light because often times, at least with what I teach, I may not be able to see that passion.”

“I think [gymnastics] teaches mental toughness along with physical strength, I love that combination. I feel like anyone can get stronger physically, but not everyone can be strong mentally and build self esteem that way and perform individually that way in front of a crowd. I like helping people develop that mental toughness to really be successful in anything they want to do in their lives.”

“[Something] I try to teach in the sport as well as in the classroom is to accomplish anything worthwhile, it costs three things: time, energy, and love. I guess that’s what it means to me...I try to tell the kids all the time that time, energy, love -- that’s what it takes to get worthwhile accomplishments fulfilled.”

 “Coaching is not just teaching the game of basketball, but it’s teaching everyday life lessons -- how to grow as an individual, how to learn how to be a student-athlete, how to be just a complete team and what’s most important is we need all the individuals to be a part of that team, and everybody brings their own little identity to the team.”