Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Owl Letters - Alice McCall
4/15/2020 12:00:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
Collegiate athletics came to a halt in mid-March. With social distancing, remote work schedules and the inability to gather to cheer on our favorite teams, came a void. The void of seeing our favorite teams compete; the void of watching our favorite student-athletes grow and improve.
Florida Atlantic athletics recognizes that void and has seized the opportunity by providing an opportunity for fans to get to know the FAU athletes and coaches in a series called "Owl Letters." It is just one of the #WinningInParadise series that FAUSports.com will bring to you, our loyal fans.
Dear Coaching,
I thought I'd grown as a person because of my athleticism, but I have learned my formative growth has come from coaching. I know that there are many bridges we have not yet crossed together. However, there have been hurdles I have overcome because of you. I believe in the power of coaching and the way you have allowed me to lead athletes through certain phases of their lives. You have brought people into my life that I would have never met if it wasn't for coaching. I have strong men and women around me because of you. And this is something I will be forever in debt for this profession for. You have taught me to be strong for a distinct population, and have made me believe that as a female, I am important in sports. I know that we can break through in sports together, if we listen to one another. I enjoy leading, and coaching has shown me how to do this. Building young men and women up to believe in themselves is overwhelmingly fulfilling. I have sat on many video conferences because of you, learning how to achieve greatness, whether that be in the pool or how to navigate meaningful conversations nights before our conference championships. You have taught me that authenticity never dies, and no matter what happens there's always room for growth. The day you stop learning from people is when you die. And until then, I recognize you need to take every good, bad and ugly conversation given to you and find the positive. Coaching is teaching: What can I learn from this? How does this help me? And how does this help someone else? I love you, coaching, because you've allowed me to be a part of the athletes' lives. I've had great coaches throughout my athletic career, and all I've ever wanted is to replicate the love and care that they gave to me and to show it to my athletes."
Yours,
Alice
Previous Letters
Jolie Duffner - April 8, 2020
Alex Smolka - April 10, 2020
Rosa Barnak - April 13, 2020
Florida Atlantic athletics recognizes that void and has seized the opportunity by providing an opportunity for fans to get to know the FAU athletes and coaches in a series called "Owl Letters." It is just one of the #WinningInParadise series that FAUSports.com will bring to you, our loyal fans.
Dear Coaching,
I thought I'd grown as a person because of my athleticism, but I have learned my formative growth has come from coaching. I know that there are many bridges we have not yet crossed together. However, there have been hurdles I have overcome because of you. I believe in the power of coaching and the way you have allowed me to lead athletes through certain phases of their lives. You have brought people into my life that I would have never met if it wasn't for coaching. I have strong men and women around me because of you. And this is something I will be forever in debt for this profession for. You have taught me to be strong for a distinct population, and have made me believe that as a female, I am important in sports. I know that we can break through in sports together, if we listen to one another. I enjoy leading, and coaching has shown me how to do this. Building young men and women up to believe in themselves is overwhelmingly fulfilling. I have sat on many video conferences because of you, learning how to achieve greatness, whether that be in the pool or how to navigate meaningful conversations nights before our conference championships. You have taught me that authenticity never dies, and no matter what happens there's always room for growth. The day you stop learning from people is when you die. And until then, I recognize you need to take every good, bad and ugly conversation given to you and find the positive. Coaching is teaching: What can I learn from this? How does this help me? And how does this help someone else? I love you, coaching, because you've allowed me to be a part of the athletes' lives. I've had great coaches throughout my athletic career, and all I've ever wanted is to replicate the love and care that they gave to me and to show it to my athletes."
Yours,
Alice
Previous Letters
Jolie Duffner - April 8, 2020
Alex Smolka - April 10, 2020
Rosa Barnak - April 13, 2020
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