Middle School -- The Beginning

For my son, Middle School was a great period of learning and growth. In 6th grade, shortly after school started, he had a teacher whom he thought didn't care to much for him. That was the first time that he had any inclination that a teacher didn't have to like him. During Parent/Teacher conferences, we found out that she DID like him...she saw his potential and wanted to push him hard, so he could reach it. Unfortunately, 2 days after that conference, she passed away in the fires. That was a very surreal time in our lives, but we all made it through. My son finished his year with a bang, won the 6th grade basketball championship - after an undefeated season...and eagerly awaited 7th grade!

7th grade came around. This year, school would get harder! What?! No straight A's?! Okay, have to put in more work. And he did! He managed to maintain a 3.57 and kept it trucking! As for middle school sports...the team won the 7th Grade Basketball Championship, too! But, this time, they were beat in 1 game during the season. My son also went on to play indoor soccer....now that, my friends, was hilarious! He's an athlete, but indoor soccer is a WHOLE 'NOTHER BALL GAME! It was nice to watch him having so much fun trying something new.

8th grade! School year went well! But, let's get to the juicy part! The Middle School Basketball Season!!! This year, my husband decided he would have 2 teams. He did it in 6th grade, and it was okay, but with so many boys coming out for 8th grade, it was almost a must! So, he split the teams as good as he could, to give them both a fighting chance in their divsions. We had Black and Blue. Our Blue team did very well. They won some, lost some, and ended up in the Silver Division Championship. They lost...but they did get further than they have in the past.

The Black team did great as always. They won every game - except for 2 - the same team beat them both times! Oh boy! Of course, they had to play that team in the CHAMPIONSHIP!

Now, I've seen my son play some serious games! I've probably seen him play over 1,000 games over the years! And when I tell you this was his best game, EVER! That really means something. He woke up, ready to taste blood (figuratively)! He went to school....invited everyone to the game (not knowing if his school would win or lose, mind you)...and came home, ready to go to work.

At the game, the team was focused...from warm-up to the very last buzzer! We had a nice crowd! My husband decided to dress up for the game, for the first time. The game began, and out of nowhere came this Kobe Bryant kid....he was playing for us! (Now, please understand, I don't like Kobe, personally, but I can't deny his skills!) With only 6 players, our team won, handedly! We maintained a 10 point lead most of the game. My son, the Kobe Bryant possessed kid, blacked out! As a parent, I was in awe. I've known he could play for years, but to see his passion come to life right before my eyes, was incredible! The best part of the game was, everyone had points on our team. That's why we won. We played TEAM ball! I will never forget the joy that came from those boys when the final buzzer blew! They worked so well together to get that 3-peat Championship...and it was well deserved!

2010 - A Year of Change

Well, this has been a very interesting year! There have been so many changes:
1. My son went from winning the basketball championship in middle school, to be awarded the Principal's Award at 8th Grade Promotion, to beginning high school football and basketball the very next week. (Later, I'll address how much he's grown as a young man, already this school year.)

2. I went from retiring as a Pop Warner coach, to coaching my daughter's Pop Warner team....some habits die hard, LOL! With such a young group of girls, it was somewhat scary, but has been very rewarding. (I'll talk more in detail about this, as well!)

3. My daughter went from Pop Warner cheerleader, to competing with another group, back to Pop Warner. She's been to Vegas to compete - and is headed back for JAMZ Nationals....again, more details to follow!

4. My husband, he's gone from head coaching, to assistant coaching, to head coaching, to being a Father/Fan at football, and the scoreboard keeper at basketball.

All in all, we've all had to assume different roles this year...and the lessons have been amazing!

The end of an era...

I'm going to take a moment away from completing my introductory story, so I can post a letter I wrote the other day. My time as a Pop Warner Head Coach has come to an end, at least until I am ready to come out of retirement. I sent this letter out to all the girls I had coached over the past 5 years. I'm posting it here, so that other coaches, parents, players, etc can get a feel for how sports have impacted my life.

Hi Everyone,

I know some of you may be wondering why I am mailing you out of the blue. Well, I just wanted to get everyone that I have coached for SMPW in on 1 e-mail.

The past 5 years have been such a blessing for me. I wanted to take the time to thank each and every one of you, and your daughters, for allowing me to be a part of your lives. I have enjoyed it thoroughly. I have learned a lot, through good and bad decisions, trials and tribulations, wins and losses, and more. These are the things that stand out the most:

2005 - Dragons Flag Cheer: Carly, Jessi, Joey, Michaela, Danielle, Rachel, and Kaaria
My first time coaching cheer. You guys will forever be in my heart. I am fortunate that most of you are still cheering with Kaaria, so I will continue to see you. I learned that I have more patience than I thought. I also learned that cheerleading can be such a blast. And I learned that spending time with your daughter is priceless! Our first cheer camp - I got a Coach's ribbon! I was so honored - but you guys were so easy to coach. Such a talented bunch at such a young age. I also learned that SMPW flag cheerleaders are more than adorable than the rest! I love you girls!

2006 - Bishops JPW Cheer: Monaezha, Kiara, Haley, Lexi, Kirby, Kassidy, Erica, Elyse, Leeanna, and Raquel
Can you say "WOW!" Honestly, as excited as I was to coach you girls, I was just as terrified! We all know that I wanted us to do our best and pull a championship home...didn't happen. But, I felt like a champion. I hope you guys did! I was so proud of you all for every thing you learned, every hurdle we overcame, and the amazing teamwork on that team. I wrote my first competition cheer that year..."Bishops! We can't be beat! We're here to knock you off your feet! Yell Grey! xx And Blue! S! M! P! W!" That cheer has stayed in the SMPW family! Kinda cool! This was also the first and ONLY team I took to JAMZ at Magic Mountain - where I truly learned the meaning of "Cheer Monster!" We took 2nd - out of 2! But we did very well, regardless! And, that trophy was the first one I brought home for cheer! I'm just as proud of that one as I am my others! I love you girls!

2007 - Lords PW Cheer: Kiara, Haley, Lexi, Kirby, Kassidy, Quincy, Raquel, Rebecca, Brianna, Bailey, Drew, Savannah, Anastasia, Stephanie, Lea, Kendall, and Hannah
If there was ever a year that tested my patience, this would be the one. But, one thing that I will never forget is the performance these girls gave at Regionals! Boy, they brought that house down, and we knew it! This group really got to learn what hard work was. I may forever regret that we didn't go to Florida that year, but I will always remember being at Disneyland with Giovanna, and her getting the whole crowd to cheer along with her at the Haunted Mansion....or her making me cry laughing while we were waiting in the loooooooong line for "It's a Small World" and she was speaking in her "English" accent to all the people around us. Plus, this group of girls REALLY changed my life. You guys all chipped in and purchased my Joel Osteen tickets. That day, I walked back into Cox Arena for the first time, since we had won 1st at Regionals (where I was VERY sad and upset, because we weren't going forward). The feeling was so surreal being in there again, but that day changed my life! THANK YOU! I love you girls!

2008 - Griffins JM Cheer: Kiara, Haley, Lexi, Kirby, Kassidy, Quincy, Sierra, Grace, Hannah, Taylor, Bailey, Brianna, Rebecca, Drew, Savannah, Jen, Kaela, Kaylor, Caitie, Cheyenne, Anastasia, and Stephanie......AND
2008 - Cavaliers JPW Dance: Bailey, Kaci, Kayla, Taylor, Carly, Marissa, Meghan, Ashley, Savannah, and Kaaria
Boy! Can you say CRAZY WOMAN! I can! I don't know what I was thinking trying to coach 2 teams at once, work 40 hours a week with and hour drive, and work 2 nights a week at the Y! But, you know what?! I had a blast! There are a lot of things I would've changed, but I'm glad I didn't stop coaching my cheer girls to do dance. I'm also glad I didn't forgo dance to do cheer! This year, I learned - in hindsight - that I HAVE to be hands on with my squads! Thank GOD for Giovanna and Holly!

Okay, obviously I will never forget taking the Cavs to Florida! Wow! Excuse my Mom moment, but I was so happy to be the first coach to take Kaaria to Nationals! That was so special! And beyond that, to take the first SMPW dance team there, too! Too much fun! I wish we would've stayed longer, and been more prepared. But, I wouldn't trade that trip for the world. Not to mention, we took the TOP dance score overall at Regionals! That was awesome! You girls really got down when you were dancing! I loved it!

The Griffins had a great year, too! We were really starting to become a dominant PW team! And, I will never forget the day the girls received their competition bows! -- Especially because we had competition the next morning. And, although we watched our boys lose that game, every girl wanted to stay until the very end to support them! That was the first year that the football team and the cheer squad really became 1! I also remember going ice skating with all of you...too much fun!

I love you girls!

2009 - Knights Midget Cheer: Kiara, Haley, Kirby, Kassidy, Sierra, Grace, Hannah, Bailey, Brianna, Drew, Savannah, Jen, Cheyenne, Anastasia, Stephanie, Betsie, Sydney, Chloe, Danika, and Dhani
I shouldn't say this, but I am going to - this was my favorite year! I don't know what exactly it was, but this year was just amazing! Aside from having an EXTREME amount of talent for a SMPW squad, there was this team unity that was amazing! And, honestly, routine-wise, this was my best work!

We had 14 returners! That's a lot! And then, if it couldn't get any better, we had 6 new girls, who were such an outstanding addition to the team! This year, I learned to take risks! I went in headstrong that we were going to do this our way, not like everyone else. And despite the outcome at Locals, we know who won that day! Everyone knows! That's why my phone and e-mail were flooded the next days with people from throughout Palomar Conference wondering what happened!

Then, after I didn't think we could make the routine that much better, we do a few changes. Then, we take 1st at JAMZ Anaheim! So cool! And, I know a few girls don't think we did amazing at Nationals, but I'll tell you something: YOU GUYS REALLY ROCKED! Yeah, things happen! But, that energy you gave during your performance was grand! And, the Performance cheer - 5th place!!!!!!!! YAY! That's more profound than you know!

I love you girls!

In closing, I just want to thank you all again for being a part of my journey, and letting me be a part of yours. God has blessed me infinitely with this experience. I am eternally grateful for it. You guys may never know just how much this has meant to me. Through all this, I was able to extend my family, gain a lot more fans for my kids when they were competing or playing football, and just grow as a person.

Girls, if you ever get the opportunity to coach, here are a few things to remember:

1. Coach for the team, not yourself. Your victories will mean much more, then.

2. Each member brings something to the table, regardless of their skill level. Take the time to learn what their strengths are, and develop them. Then, strengthen their weaknesses. The extra time pays off!

3. Choose your staff wisely! When things go rough, you will need them. When it's time to celebrate, you should want them to be there with you! Your staff represents you. Remember that!

4. Not everyone will love you, your decisions, or what you do. Don't worry about it. Try your hardest, stay true to yourself, and it will all work out. But, keep an open mind and an open door. Otherwise, you may subject yourself to a lot of closed door criticism, and the drama that comes with it.

5. LOVE what you do! If you don't LOVE it, you will not do a good job at it. Coaching is a lot of work. You have to deal with several personality types, which you will have to adapt to, and try to understand. You will get constant criticism, good and bad. You will always have SOME hurdle to overcome. The only way to endure all that is if you LOVE what you do!

6. If you can't love coaching for free, you will hate coaching for money! If you love coaching for free, you will LOVE coaching for money...but you will have more riding on the line. Be prepared.

7. Be honest. No matter how much trouble it gets you in. Be honest. In the end, you have to look yourself in the mirror. Would you rather see a liar or an honest person.

8. Don't just coach the sport, coach the person. If you coach the person, you are helping to develop them into a stronger person. Stronger people make stronger athletes. Stronger people eventually run the world. Wouldn't you like to know you helped make the world a better place?

9. Remember where you came from. Everyone has day 1. Even if you've been doing this for 15 years, you still had your very first day! Don't forget how hard you worked to get where you are. You may have a story to tell to help someone else get there, too.

10. Remember, I love you all. I always will! Do me a favor, and pass on whatever you may have learned from me - to either your own children, or whoever you may coach in life!

Love always!

Coach Michelle

I wanted to thank my incredible staff over the years. We couldn't have achieved any of this without you! Your dedication doesn't go unnoticed!
I love you ladies!

Jennifer
Renee
Christy
Trudi (mom)
Kwanzaa
Kristine
Erica
Rhiannon
Cathy
Stephanie
Jodi
Holly
Linda
Roseann
Debra
Megan

and most of all:
CheriMarie
Lisa
Kim
Michele
Florantony
and Giovanna

.....for sticking it through with me year after year after year!
and Sarah and Christina for all that you do for this league!

and to Coach Angel and Coach Lexi: your expertise has helped me grow so much as a coach! Thank you!

Coastal Elite Girls basketball tryouts 2-4 PM today at Orange Glen HS! 4-8th grade

I am going to test out this whole text blogging thing. Let's see if it works!

I'm Back!

Well, it's been FAR too long! I will be back blogging very shortly! Starting next week, you can expect weekly updates to my blog!

Talk soon!