UNC Softball: Team Culture Without A Coach
Exactly one week before classes were to begin at University of Northern Colorado, the coaching staff of the softball program announced their departure. Within 3 days I was interviewing to take on the role of interim coach while they searched for a permanent solution to an unexpected vacancy. I accepted the role of interim coach but made it clear I could not pursue the full-time position. I spent 5 weeks working with the team in the hopes they wouldn’t miss a beat while a search for a new coach was underway.
I met with the team a couple days before school. My goal was to get them focused on softball as soon as possible and shift away from all the uncertainty. Think of the freshmen who'd arrived and within days found out they no longer had a coach. I didn’t know what to expect so I went in with the plan of getting them to take control of their team because I would not be their coach, just a place-holder. I wanted them to embrace the fact that the only consistency within the program would be each other. I asked about their rules and practice times; I asked about their expectations. I didn’t have to lay down the law, because they had already built one. Their guidelines were clear and expectations of each other were high. I walked out of that meeting completely impressed with the group of young women who did not have a coach. Practice began and their work ethic and focus was incredible. Although there was angst about who and when their coaching staff would be found, they simply came to the field each and every day to work. They knew this was their team, not mine and the culture within the program was clear. The leadership that came from the returners was impressive. They were mentors, they were teammates, they were leaders. On two different occasions, after practice, a couple seniors informed me there were minor team infractions and they’d already addressed it with the players. I wasn’t on campus all the time. I wouldn’t have even known that anything happened. Can you imagine a team with no permanent leader in place creating an environment that has expectations and goals without anyone telling them what and how to do it? I am highlighting this fact because too often I hear older adults complaining about “entitled players.”
The young women in the UNC softball program are quite the opposite of the stereotypes loosely thrown around to describe young adults. They are hard working, and appreciative. They understand their destiny is in their control. They don’t blame the situation or others for shortcomings, they reflect and respond with action. They are exactly the type of people and athletes anyone would be lucky to coach. After 5 weeks of commuting to Greeley for practice, my position came to a close. I left with players expressing sincere gratitude for the work we’d done with them over our short time together. I don’t know how they’ll do this year, but what I can say is they’re a complete class act. I went in to train a team I didn’t know, and came out completely inspired after being a part of such an incredible group of young women. Thank you to UNC athletics department and thank you UNC softball. Best of luck this season and beyond.
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