I’ve read with great interest the series on coaching in the Sun Journal. I’m a parent of two daughters, who have been involved several sports for years, and I’ve encountered a lot of coaches.

I’ve have had the good fortune to have coaches who teach athletes to be the best sport and person they can be. They stress the positive, and encourage and guide these kids regardless.

Coaches are often at the mercy of parents, who think their son or daughter has the potential to be a professional athlete. Winning is the all important goal.

Good sportsmanship has been forgotten. Coaches are harassed, booed and sometimes ousted from their jobs by parents who want nothing but wins.

On the other side, I have seen coaches tell players that family takes a back seat to practices or games. I’ve known coaches to bench players unable to make a practice due to circumstances they have no control over. I’ve heard coaches yell and humiliate players. I’ve seen kids quit sports because of the pressure put on them to win.

Coaching today is a very difficult job, but being the parent of an athlete can be difficult also. We adults need to teach kids that playing sports should be fun, and to tell coaches that family comes first.

And coaches should receive the respect they deserve. What we all should remember is that we set an example of what we want our children to be.

Lori Rich, Norway

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