Written by Sometimes, culture and sportsmanship don’t manifest themselves in competition, they are embodied more so in practice and helping the athletes. Zack McBride, the Head Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track and Field Coach at Limestone University weighed in on the topic.
“My best moment as an athlete isn’t just one moment, it’s many moments: every practice. It’s knowing that I can contribute to the idea that my athletes are ready for the race.”
Zack is akin to a brother of mine, we competed for Miami University (OH) together, lived together (and unfortunately had to fight a flea extermination together). But the main thing we know, is that Sport Culture is something exceptional. As Zack states, “[I]t will always be about the athletes for me. You are learning a tremendous skill by participating in a sport; you are learning how to strive for excellence. In life, this is invaluable. I get to help these athletes navigate what excellence means to them and then help the athlete pursue that excellence.”
As a friend and former teammate, I believe that such qualities are what makes Zack both a great Coach and a quality believer in true Sportsmanship and Culture. As he puts it, “Sports are huge. But I believe that too many people use them for entertainment purposes and don’t realize it. I believe people are chasing the entertainment aspect of Sports compared with the educational aspect, and the educational aspect is why I love sports; life lessons and affirmation of solid moral character are again, invaluable.”
Everyone, Sport Culture is so much more than about competition; it’s about helping people. Good and authentic coaches are hard to come by and I believe are underappreciated.
Be a good coach morally and professionally; you never know when you could change an athlete’s life.
From Zack and I, as always, cheers to Sports.
Pictured Above: Head Coach Zack McBride, Photo Courtesy of Limestone University