To the editor,

I am a firm believer that God can turn whatever circumstances the world throws at you into something good.

Granted, when Principal Denise Lackey informed me that she had chosen to go another direction with the leadership of the girls’ basketball program at Trinity High School, my plans for next season were suddenly upended.

I had not realized that the program under my leadership had been going the wrong direction. (My record indicates a steady improvement for the past four years, culminating with post-season play the past two years and a second place conference tournament finish this year).

However, having my coaching position taken from me has forced me to reflect on the many folks to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for the past 17 years. At the risk of leaving someone out, I want to say
thanks ...

To those parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, friends and fans, who so faithfully supported the young ladies in Trinity Blue, thanks for the long hours spent on hard bleachers, the many miles driven to practices and games, the sacrifices you made to enable my girls to attend camps and tournaments, the encouragement, prayers and sympathies you gave to me and my family, especially during my dad’s illness this year.

To those former players who return so often to cheer on the most recent Lady Bulldogs, who don tennis shoes and gym shorts once again to play in alumni games or to provide an added challenge at our practices, thanks for your loyalty and dedication to the program you added so much to in the past.

To the faculty and staff who showed up early for the girls’ games, even when there were lesson plans to make and papers to grade, thanks for making it a priority to be there for them.

To those fellow coaches who have been willing to share the fruits of their long hours of work with me — Coach Corry, Coach Kilcullen, Coach Stover, Coach Carter, Coach Furlough and Coach Allmon, who helped me get started many years ago, it has been my pleasure to be considered your colleague.

To those media folks who cover high school sports, to Elizabeth Saunders (Archdale-Trinity News), to Steve Hanf and his staff (High Point Enterprise), to Dennis and Megan and Tony and Joel, thanks for the time and talents you give to student athletes and for the times you’ve allowed me to vent, “off the record,” of course.

To Doug Tuggle, a former student of mine and lifelong family friend who has faced an unbelievable and underappreciated task these past two years, thanks for your tireless efforts to please the hard-to-please and maintain your integrity at the same time. And my special thanks to Coach Kelly and his staff, who made my return to coaching in recent years so doable — for setting up the gym for practices and games, for sharing your knowledge, expertise, equipment, time, gym space, film crew, the list could go on. I cannot imagine anyone any easier for me to work with.

To my principals at Archdale-Trinity Middle School, first Mr. Johnson and then Mrs. Haynes, who agreed to let me do double duty, teaching middle school and coaching at the high school, thanks for allowing me to juggle those responsibilities.

And thanks to those coaches who have assisted me on the bench as volunteers or “paid” staff — my sister Elaine, Kate, Becca and Kaci, Kelly, and especially this year, my daughter Molly and my son David, you each contributed more than you can imagine to help me as a coach and a person.

And to those of you who are my biological family, along with Mom and Dad, for always being such a stable and supportive force for me through thick and thin.

Whatever the fans perceive on Tuesday and Friday nights, only a coach’s family witnesses the sacrifices made to build a program.

Most especially, I owe a debt of gratitude to the players I have been so fortunate to coach over the years. Whether a starter or substitute, an upperclassman or a freshman, a veteran or a rookie, I have enjoyed the challenges we’ve faced and the successes we’ve had together.

If you remember nothing else I have tried to teach you, remember that you don’t have to settle for anything. You have a choice about how to face every obstacle that comes your way and how to accept and appreciate every gift that life presents to you.

Don’t take anything for granted!

My only apologies are to the current and future girls’ basketball players at THS. I wish I had had the opportunity to tell you myself that I would no longer be your coach. I, in no way, ever considered “quitting” on you because players were graduating (that happens every year) or because I thought those of you returning could not compete (you can and you should!).

I encourage you to work hard and to give Coach Edwards your full support. Above all else, you know that a truly successful team plays for each other. Never forget that. Rise above the circumstances that are beyond your control and hold fast to what you know to be right.

Take care of each other and strive to be the best team you can be. Good luck to each of you.

Renee Hayes