Right in the Feels!

[thinckley]

As I've talked about before, my son's High School soccer career was ended by an ACL tear a few months before his senior season. He had been on the varsity team since his freshman year, and a starter since his sophomore year. It was a crushing blow, to be fair. Tonight is their final regular season home game, Senior Night, when all of the graduating seniors are honored and recognized. We were heartbroken to be missing it.

Last night we got a text from his coaches:

Hey Hinckley's, hope you are both doing well and hope "son's" recovery is going well. Tomorrow is senior night for the boys and we wanted to take an opportunity to honor "son" during the festivities afterwards. We would love to see you both out, if you can't make it no worries, but just wanted to send an invite from us

BAM!!! Right in the feels!!! Of course I am stuck in Commiefornia for work and will not be able to be there, but they will be streaming it so I can watch and the wife will be taking tons of pictures and video.

Then I got a call.... some of the things they have planned.

1. Honorary Captain for the game
2. His best friend, and teammate since he was 7 will wear his number during the opening walk-out and first play of the game.
3. More to come, but not what they would tell me about

What they did tell me was, when the coach had the idea he took it to the captains of the team, 100% enthusiastic buy-in, who then took it to the rest of the team. HUGE support. It is all truly emotional to see him still getting some recognition for all of the blood, sweat, and tears he poured into that team for the last 3 1/2 years.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Example of a great Coaching staff that has fostered a culture of "Brotherhood" into a team.....there is nothing like it.

 

[xTopGun]

As I've talked about before, my son's High School soccer career was ended by an ACL tear a few months before his senior season. He had been on the varsity team since his freshman year, and a starter since his sophomore year. It was a crushing blow, to be fair. Tonight is their final regular season home game, Senior Night, when all of the graduating seniors are honored and recognized. We were heartbroken to be missing it.

Last night we got a text from his coaches:

BAM!!! Right in the feels!!! Of course I am stuck in Commiefornia for work and will not be able to be there, but they will be streaming it so I can watch and the wife will be taking tons of pictures and video.

Then I got a call.... some of the things they have planned.

1. Honorary Captain for the game
2. His best friend, and teammate since he was 7 will wear his number during the opening walk-out and first play of the game.
3. More to come, but not what they would tell me about

What they did tell me was, when the coach had the idea he took it to the captains of the team, 100% enthusiastic buy-in, who then took it to the rest of the team. HUGE support. It is all truly emotional to see him still getting some recognition for all of the blood, sweat, and tears he poured into that team for the last 3 1/2 years.

Ahhh, a great coach stepping up their game sure wish my granddaughter's soccer coaches had that kind of class, if you weren't an A+ player the only playing time you would get was if they were short a player or up by 10, no kidding. She played from 4th grade up until Varsity in her jr year, then blew out her meniscus, and at the beginning of her sr year the Varsity coach all but told her don't bother showing up - a total classless jerk . . . . . .

 

[contender]

I know you are proud! And you have a right to be. Kudos to him & his team. Especially the coach for thinking of it.

 

[thinckley]

The streaming video cut off some of it, but the wife and coaches sent some great video and pictures. The best part was, he was given the jersey he wore for three years. The team got a new kit this year, so all of the seniors got to keep their jersey from last year.

 

[GHollan]

What a great tribute to your son. We need more coaches and High Schools like yours. She was fortunate to never have been injured and ACL tears are even more common for female soccer players. Congratulations.

Hard to believe Sr. Night for my Daughter was in 2008. Like @xTopGun her High School Coach was not much for letting everyone play and may have broke the spirit of some of the girls. Fortunately my daughter was a top player and always on the field. That didn't mean I wasn't critical of him.

In Washington State, High School Soccer was no where near the competitive and skill level of Club soccer. Some of the clubs didn't even allow their players to play on the High School team. Fortunately my Daughter's club did. While not at the level of the Premier 1 club division team she played on, the school recognition and social aspect was important. Her High School Team was filled with top club division players and they crushed most teams and annually made it to at least the semi-finals if not capturing the State Title. I was then and am now a proud Dad.

 

[xTopGun]

What a great tribute to your son. We need more coaches and High Schools like yours. She was fortunate to never have been injured and ACL tears are even more common for female soccer players. Congratulations.

Hard to believe Sr. Night for my Daughter was in 2008. Like @xTopGun her High School Coach was not much for letting everyone play and may have broke the spirit of some of the girls. Fortunately my daughter was a top player and always on the field. That didn't mean I wasn't critical of him.

In Washington State, High School Soccer was no where near the competitive and skill level of Club soccer. Some of the clubs didn't even allow their players to play on the High School team. Fortunately my Daughter's club did. While not at the level of the Premier 1 club division team she played on, the school recognition and social aspect was important. Her High School Team was filled with top club division players and they crushed most teams and annually made it to at least the semi-finals if not capturing the State Title. I was then and am now a proud Dad.

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playing a competitive sport can be great for developing physical conditioning and learning about teamwork. Fortunately, our granddaughter stuck it out in spite of the coaches and earned her Varsity letter(s)..... she's not afraid of a little hard work Oh ya, it's Sr-prom night tonight .....