Coach Terre announced her “retirement” from swimming. I
quote retirement because Terre is much too young to actually retire. She is
taking this opportunity in her life to spend more time with her other family.
They deserve it! But as a member of her swimming family I wanted to take a
moment to share my thoughts on Coach Terre.
My family has known Coach Terre for nearly 10 years. We
first met when Taylor and Emily decided they were going to make swimming their
sport. It was a decision my wife and I treasure because of all of the wonderful
families we have met through swimming, and of course, getting to know Coach
Terre (and her family).
I have always said we will all leave a legacy, what it is,
is up to us. The life we lead is a reflection of our values. Coach Terre has
left a piece of her legacy and has instilled in her path many values. Anyone
that has had the honor of being coached by her knows her value system; honesty
& integrity, hard work, team work, and being the best individual you can
be.
Coaching kids is a calling, and when done well can shape the
character of that kid for a lifetime. The hundreds of kids (maybe thousands)
that have graduated from a swimming program that Coach Terre has lead are
better people from having had the opportunity to swim for her. As parents we
know the value of a great coach, and I suspect that every parent that has had a
kid in Coach Terre’s program will agree that their child is better for it.
That is not to say that every parent agreed with everything
Coach Terre has done, but they respect what she has done for their kids. As
parents we often have a protective instinct that can stand in the way of
important life lessons - but having had Coach Terre as a mentor our kids have
experienced the value and importance of setting goals, being prompt,
respectful, following through, suffering consequences, and celebrating the successful
achievement of a goal. Coach Terre showed no favoritism but I know she had
favorites. And being a favorite did not mean being the fastest swimmer scoring
the most points. Her favorites were the kids that were unique, dedicated, and
respectful.
You see Coach Terre has principles that have taken her far
in her life and will take our kids far as well. She knows the power of
consistency, honesty, and communication. She never wavered on telling the truth
to a parent or a swimmer. She shared honest assessments of our kids and always
knew that every kid could be better - but not every kid was going to be an Olympian.
What you figured out quickly with Coach Terre was she was invested in your kid’s
success. Whatever that success was for that particular swimmer, she would
communicate it with the parent and set the proper expectations for their
success in the pool and out of the pool. As parents there has been no better
partner for our kid’s upbringing.
The swimming community will miss Coach Terre’s absolute
dedication to a sport that is a step child (except during the Olympics when Michael
Phelps or Missy Franklin is in the pool) to other major sports. But I will say
with absolute confidence that swimming is the best sport a kid could dedicate
him or herself to for true preparation for a successful life!
Our kids will take from Coach Terre valuable lessons that
expand far beyond the pool. They will take with them a commitment to be their
best at whatever they choose to do - and to be respectful of others. Coach
Terre will leave swimming with a legacy far beyond scoreboards and records. Her
legacy will expand exponentially over the years from the dedicated kids that
have had the honor of her leadership. They will be her legacy.
You see, as a coach she will have changed the world through
one of her kids. The lessons those kids have learned are the foundational
building blocks of a successful life. As the parent of two of her swimmers I
can testify to the value of having had her as a coach. As a parent, I can only
say thank you, you will be missed. I am so grateful my kids had the opportunity
to have had you as a coach.
You will always be Coach Terre to us…
