One of the highest compliments I could pay someone is to say that no matter what my life situation is, I’ll do everything I can do be at their funeral to honor their life and their impact on mine.
I have about 15-20 people on that list (outside my family members).
Today, I’m driving to a funeral for one of those people: my high school soccer and basketball coach, Coach Chugg.
He passed away this earlier summer.
Coach Chugg was the epitome of a transformational leader and coach.
He had a huge impact on my life and how I coach now.
About 7 years ago, he retired from teaching and coaching after more than 30 years of doing it.
He coached multiple sports (often in the same year) and even directed the theatre department for a while. He won at a high level too, multiple state title and final four appearances.
I don’t know the number, but I’d guess he coached and impacted more than 3,000 players during his career.
I had the chance to attend his retirement celebration.
The cafeteria at my alma matter was packed with hundreds of people whose lives he had impacted is a positive way.
Everyone showed up for the same reason: to honor him for the way he served so many kids.
Last weekend, they named the school soccer field after him.
I couldn’t make it to that, but I saw the photos from it. It was filled dozens of former players in attendance (many of them holding their own children) to honor the man that had a positive impact on their lives as a young person.
There are many reasons I admired and appreciated Coach Chugg so much.
Here are just a few:
He genuinely cared about every athlete and student he led.
He had a vision for the player I could become that was bigger than my own.
He broke the “Man Box” mold for me. He loved music, art, literature, and theatre.
His practices were fun. We played the game!
He had a sense of humor. Laughter was common at practices and in team huddles.
He was authentic and a man of integrity. We knew we could trust him.
Today, I’m taking my 7 and 4-year-old sons with me to his visitation and funeral to show my respect and appreciation for his impact on my life and so many others.
I share this not for sympathy but as a sobering reminder:
Live with the end in mind.
What do you want your retirement celebration to be like when your coaching career is over?
What do you want your funeral to be like when your time on this planet is over?
I hope that mine are a lot like Coach Chugg’s: filled with people I cared about and invested in.
Best,
Luke Gromer, RYG Athletics | A NIKE Sports Camp Provider
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