My Coaching Resignation

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I am officially stepping down as the boys and girls tennis coach at Vincennes Rivet High School.

At 19, I became the youngest tennis coach in the state. I couldn't wait to get out of class so I could head to the VU courts and lead practice for the boys. I liked the role so much I turned down playing collegiate tennis. This love led to six years of coaching the boys.

In 2016 Luke Keller asked me to coach the girls' team. To that, I said, "no way, they will eat me alive." One thing led to another, and I said yes. To be honest, I had little to no experience with girls in general - they were intimidating. But I was doing it. I tried to live by the words of Nick Bollietierri when he says success is doing the right thing, the right way and then doing that 100% of the time. The effort gave back in spades. The heart I witnessed, the struggles we waded through, and the joys we experienced I will never forget. The core group of girls had an enormous impact on my life.

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As time went on, familiar faces left, and new ones emerged. Katie left, but Bella stepped in. Colten graduated, but Samuel showed up. Izzie and Maddie's great doubles team left only to be replaced by the undefeated duo Macee and Christina. A team dynamic would go only for a new one to be born. Sad? Yes. Very. Coaching taught me this is the way of things - fleeting and with an expiration date. However, this is where the value comes. A slate of time we know will have an end.

For me, the time has come. It's not easy, and I've wrestled with the idea for a while. Going through these memories do not help. Even as I write this I want to get ready for a season.

It's one of the hardest decisions I have had to make. Going through these memories does not help. Even as I write this I want to get ready for a season.

But the same 100% Nick Bolietierri attitude I applied in tennis I now must apply to my career. What has gotten me to this point in my career will not get me to my next point. I have to make some sacrifices. Though I know my decision will be much more painful in the short term, it will be beneficial in time.

Although I will not coach high school tennis, I still love to coach. I especially love skill development in small or individual settings that are not as time-intensive as coaching a high school team. I'd love to offer group or individual lessons to our area.

I want to extend a warm thanks to all those who supported me through my years of coaching.

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Thank you to the parents of Vincennes Rivet High School tennis. We have the best parents. I recall coach circles where coaches share their favorite parent horror story. I didn't have much material to work with. Thank you for entrusting me with your kids and going with the flow as I learned how to manage a team.

Thank you to the area coaches. I felt like I had 15+ mentors nearby. The way you held yourself and your teams rubbed off on me. Thank you.

Thank you to the folks in Rivet High School. To my uncle and former AD, Doug Ostendorf, for initially giving me the boy's job and to another former AD, Luke Keller, who gave me the girl's job.

To Mrs. Jones, Leslie, and other teachers who supported the program. To Becky Stenger, who still supported the program and kept the kid's stomachs full even after her kid left Rivet. To the boosters for providing funding for uniforms. Also, to Coach Schleiss for making the soccer/tennis season work as best as we could. Finally, to the AD's that did the job behind the scenes; Doug Ostendorf, Luke Keller, Joel Sievers, Dave Weiss, and Jill Frey.

Thank you to Tom Graham for covering the team in the paper and to those who followed along.

Thank you to those who have given Rivet tennis a home; Vincennes University, Lincoln High School, and especially the City of Lawrenceville. Also, the Smith and Oakes family for letting me use their private court.

Thank you to my family for your support. Special thanks to my grandparents for making my meals after almost every practice.

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Finally, and with a heavy heart, the players. You challenged me, made me stronger, made me laugh, made me smile, made me cringe at times, and made me cry. You taught me what it means to give oneself and to be a part of a team. Thank you for your hard work, time and attention. I'll miss the feeling of excitement each spring and fall. I'll miss those moments when a skill finally clicks, or a player finally starts to believe in themself. I'll miss the bus rides, the terrible music playing, breathwork, and the crazy things I have you do. I'll miss all the times we goof off and so much more. For that, I say thank you.

With A Heavy Heart,

Aaron

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