Section X is proud to recognize the commitment and influence of its coaches during Coaches Appreciation Days, a time to celebrate the individuals who mentor and guide student-athletes on and off the playing surfaces.
More than 700 educators across Section X’s 24 school districts serve as coaches and assistant coaches for more than 52 fall, winter and spring sports programs. From early morning practices to late-night bus rides, these coaches model how to be respectful after tough losses and offer support through difficult situations, having an impact that goes beyond the scoreboard.
“Coaches are at the heart of our athletic programs,” said Mark Wilson, Section X executive director. “They are the role models cultivating skills like leadership, sportsmanship, teamwork and collaboration with the student-athletes. These are values they will carry with them throughout their lives.”
Dwayne Ghostlaw, a social studies teacher who coaches cross country and indoor track and field at Brushton-Moira and outdoor track and field for the merged Brushton-Moira/Salmon River team, says the most rewarding part of coaching is helping student-athletes develop confidence.
“I am fostering the values we want our student-athletes to have in life and reminding them that hard work pays off.”
Tim Cook, a U.S. history and government teacher who coaches soccer, hockey and golf at Salmon River, sets an example for his student-athletes by saying and doing what he wants them to follow.
“I choose to coach to be a good role model and to help the student-athletes become better human beings from when I start working with them up until our time together has ended.”
Chad Phippen, a physical education teacher who coaches soccer and softball at Salmon River, enjoys watching his student-athletes succeed beyond the scoreboard, seeing them grow and mature as human beings.
“It’s rewarding to coach to be able to see my student-athletes achieve their goals in sports and in life. I hope to help shape them into a better person as a result of the program by becoming a productive member of society and taking responsibility for their mistakes.”
Michelle Garrow, a grades 5-8 academic intervention services and babysitting and childcare teacher who coaches girls modified and varsity swimming for Potsdam and boys modified and varsity swimming for the merged Potsdam/Canton team, believes that success beyond the scoreboard is focusing on the whole person and applying lessons to everyday life.
“Participating in sports is a small part of student-athletes’ lives so I instill values that I can and hope they take something away.”
Leesa Isereau, who coaches JV volleyball at Gouverneur, involves her student-athletes with the local community.
“We have a pink night where we invite members of the Gouverneur Women’s Breast and Ovarian Cancer Foundation to accept the money we raise on their behalf. I take care of the behind the scenes work, but allow my student-athletes to speak and present the money to them.”
Student-athletes, families and the community are encouraged to thank their coaches not just this week, but every week, for the time and dedication they put into teaching and caring for the student-athletes.
To all Section X coaches, thank you for your leadership, passion and commitment to shaping the lives of our student-athletes.
