photo credit: Beth Fenton
New gear, new players, new coaches. With the start of the new school year comes the start of new members being added to the Orange athletics family.
Boys volleyball and the swim team are getting new coaches in their upcoming seasons. Players are eager to meet and work with them.
Coaches need to “have an understanding of the sport and be able to collaborate with all team members,” Senior swimmer Isabella De La Rosa said.
Getting a new coach can be incredibly exciting for athletes, but also nerve wracking. Having a good coach can really impact athletes in the long run, which is why it is so important to find a coach that will be right for the team.
“If they’re a good coach they will push to have connections with their swimmers,” De La Rosa said.
Athletic Director Andre Nash has worked hard to find the perfect fits for each team. His process ensures that the coaches selected will be what each team needs and will benefit from, as well as someone who will last a long time; This is important for the stability of teams and happiness of the athletes.
“It is a three-step process,” Nash said.
First, he looks through emails and resumes, looking for potentially good candidates. Then, he does phone interviews, dwindling down the candidate pool with each step taken. However, he doesn’t eliminate any of them completely.
“It is good to know your pool for future opportunities,” Nash said.
Once he has just a few candidates left, it is time for the in-person interview. He also has them meet with students because it is important to him that the athletes mesh with the coach. After all this, the final decision is made, and a coach is hired.
“I would rather have the right person rather than someone who will need to be replaced in a few years,” Nash said.
Replacing coaches constantly can be stressful for all the involved parties, adding to the importance of trusting the coach-finding process. Athletes have to deal with constant change, and administration needs to do more work than they may need to.
“It can interrupt the progression athletes have made throughout their seasons,”
De La Rosa said.
Coaches will inevitably set the mood of the entire season, and this should be done positively to ensure athletes will be happy in their respective sports. Without coaches the team ceases to exist.
“Having a good connection with a coach makes you want to race better,” De La Rosa said.
Coaches must create plans for practices, as well as create a community of individuals who will thrive together. They must lead the team to victories and pick them up after a loss. They play a key role in sports.
“The daily actions and attitudes a coach make has a direct relationship with the athletes,” according to the Trine University website.
Nash has a good track record with his selection of coaches. All new coaches have thrived recently, so it is likely that boys volleyball and the swim team will as well.
“The new football coach is doing well, and gymnastics made OCC last year,” Nash said.
New Head Swimming Coach Beth Fenton is eager to get the season started. Fenton is a yoga instructor who is passionate about swimming and fitness.
“I am dedicated to helping student-athletes understand the importance of balancing fitness, mental well-being and social-emotional growth while participating in a sport they love,” Fenton said.
Fenton is confident in the team’s abilities, and coaches must be able to trust their athletes. The swim team will begin competitions this winter, and boys volleyball will in the spring.
“We have what we need, and our programs will be successful,” Nash said.
