Peter Varga

Coaching was the best part of my teaching career . Although I had enjoyed success at the highest competitive levels , I always believed that there was more to coaching than winning or losing games .

After a decade and a half of generally contented and sometimes blissful retirement , I was surprised to be offered an opportunity to coach at my old school . There was likely a shortage of extra-curricular help , but I was intrigued by the possibilities . Little did I know that by accepting my “ old / new ” coaching responsibilities , many restless and sleepless nights would result .

Coaching has always been about creating interest , nurturing development , and fostering positive attitudes . Above all , my primary goal was to instill a love of the game .

I quickly realized , though , that times had changed . The student athletes wanted quick and easy successes ; their impatience to achieve results gave me pause . Their individual skills were low , and it would take time for them to acquire skills through countless repetitions of drills .

To me , anyone was welcome to try out for the team , regardless of how uncoordinated or unskilled . As long as they kept coming to practice , they were on the team . Perseverance and determination would reward this band of misfits .

My students learned to deal with the consequences of their efforts and behaviour . There was so much to teach , explain , demonstrate , and model in a short three- to four-month season . But , as in most coaching environments , the students were there voluntarily , eager and willing .

The team came with its usual cast of characters : the gifted star athlete , the fumbler , the bumbler , the social outcast , the wisecracking comedian , and a litany of others . Often the one with the greatest heart and best attitude was the weakest in skills , but I believed that I could meld them into a cohesive unit ; after all , that was my job . As time evolved ,

they began to celebrate each other ’ s skills and accomplishments as well as the team ’ s .

The season became a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows . As a “ retired ” coach , I lived for every moment that I could spend with my kids , whether at practices , chalk sessions , bus time , restaurants , or game time . Things were slowly evolving . I became aware of individual player issues : poor classroom attendance , lousy grades , vaping ( what is that ?), girlfriends , and interpersonal rivalries . Parents might be either positive or negative toward me , as I strived to be fair yet honest . I wasn ’ t just coaching a sport , I was dealing with overall common human themes : pride , greed , selfishness , narcissism , arrogance , humility . But that ’ s what coaching is . Often , the principal or other teaching staff would come into the gym for a collegial chat , sometimes about players , parents , or teacher relationships ; other times , just about school or education . To be acknowledged as almost a peer was encouraging and humbling . Coaching was challenging , never boring , and always so much fun . As a retiree , I felt at times like an elder statesman .

As coach , I wish I was younger ; the sound of squeaking runners and shouts of glee are pure joy . I crave a few more years , feeling that I could do this forever . But reality often erodes our best hopes . For today , though , I still have a game to coach .

Peter Varga has been retired for fifteen years , before which he was principal of St . Martin ’ s and St . Mary ’ s High School in Vegreville . Peter coached various sports every year of his teaching career . news & views SPRING 2021 | 15