In the last inning, a home run can make you the hero, and a strikeout can make you the goat.
"Hero or goat?!" my coach, Tom Davenport would yell at us from the dugout in a tough situation. We won two Washington State Championships and went on to win Regionals and place 5th in Nationals. He knew how to build a winning team and we won a lot under his leadership.
As I reflect on why we were a great team, a couple of things stand out. Coach Tom filled the team with athletes. Every year we would have 1-2 new players that had never stepped foot on a softball diamond, yet they were amazing athletes and Coach taught them the game of softball. By the end of the year, they were key players.
The other thing I reflect on is that Coach Tom loved his team. He connected with us, he talked to us as adults, he shared stories, he shared his home and his family. To lead us and grow us as young adults he dedicated so much. Not only was he the best coach I ever had, he was the best leader I have ever had the privilege to be around.
"Hero or goat?!" I say hero! Coach Tom, you made an impact. Tom Davenport 1952-2014.