#8: FAITH SECHRIST

A Letter to Coach Cochran:

The purpose of this letter is to express appreciation and acknowledge someone who has had a significant and positive influence on my life. The person I am recognizing does not like to take credit and does not like the gushy and sappy presentations. However, the person I have chosen to write this letter about is someone who deserves all of the credit and praise that there is to offer. He will argue otherwise, but I hope he knows how thankful I am for his role in my life. From my freshman year to my senior year, he has never not shown up for me. Whether it is to let me in the gym to get some extra shots up or just to talk about life, he has always shown up. He is more than just a coach. He has treated me and the rest of the team as the young ladies that we are and holds us to higher standards. He puts our needs and wants before anything else and makes sure that we are satisfied. He has shaped me into becoming a better person and not just a basketball player. He pushes me and gets me out of my comfort zone for the sake of my own good. Everything he does is out of love and care and always has been. He might yell and holler and make a scene but nothing is ever taken personal because I know it is in my best interest and he only wants the best for me. He does not label or treat me as some high school teenager. He treats me as the young woman I am and speaks to me with maturity. He has prepared me for the real world and does not sugar coat anything. He realizes how important it is for kids to be held accountable and mature enough to make life decisions for themselves. He speaks out of complete honesty and I appreciate that because most kids will not receive the hard truth about the real world until they get thrown out into it. I am appreciative for being held to higher standards because it has helped me with my self growth and learn how to face and handle adversity when it is hovering in front of me. Even though high school basketball is over for me, he continues to show up. He has spent numerous hours calling colleges and going over my life plans with me to make sure I get everything worked out. I know that he will always answer my calls and assess my needs if I need him to. To this day, he has consistently checked up on me and made sure I am good. I would not be where I am today without the care and support that he has given to me. He pushes me to be better than I was the day before so that I can be great tomorrow. I don’t think that there are enough words to say that would amount to how grateful I am for God’s placing of him in my life. I will say it again, he is more than just a coach. He is a great person to look up to, and his impact on my life will never go unnoticed. This person deserves to be showered with praise and appreciation everyday. He goes above and beyond for the ones he loves. He is one of the greatest people in my life, and I know he will continue to show up for me wherever I end up in life. You deserve it all Coach Cochran.

Faith Sechrist