The End of a Dynasty

"You are all fine athletes...thanks in most part...to me." -Big Red from Bring it On

Four or five years ago, I saw a posting on District 91's website for an assistant cheerleading coach at Skyline High School. I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to have fun coaching something I did growing up and making some extra money. Ha,  the money...I'll get to that later.

I applied for the job and met Paula Ashby for the very first time. She seemed excited to have someone with "my background." Then again, my background consisted of high school cheer, one year on a competitive all-star team, and a year on the Portland State Cheerleading team. After discussing it in depth, I decided it was not the best thing for me. So a few years passed and my interaction was minimal with the Skyline team.

After my divorce, I thought..."why not?" I applied for the position again. Adjusting to the 6:30AM practice schedule did take some time and a massive amount of caffeine. I began by helping out at practices around December, 2012. The team, that year, did go to USA National in California. I was unable to go (due to finances). Instead, they took a huge cutout of my face EVERYWHERE!

After that year of volunteering, I accepted the full-time assistant coach position. The stipend was a whopping $1000 a year. It came out to about $0.36/hour. Not too bad. I had no idea of the commitment that was involved until it was too late. I was committed.

Over the next year, I worked closely with the team as a full blown assistant coach. The amount of effort and energy the girls put in was amazing! It seemed there was always something to do. We practiced long hours before going to camp. My first year at cheer camp brought back memories. We attended summer camp in Logan UT. It was incredibly hot and I found a new definition to sunburnt. Some of the girls even sunburned their eyes. I had no idea that was even possible. Even suffering from dehydration, mild heat stroke, and the constant burn of sunscreen in their eyes, they managed to finish camp.

I could go on forever about the different experiences I had during my time as a cheer coach. What I want to convey is what a big part of my life it became.

Ashby and I worked closely and well together over the next three years. We shared COUNTLESS hours on the phone, sitting on cold hard bleachers, and suffered in "silence" at freezing cold football games. There were many amazing memories along with times of pure frustration. Every year I figured it would be my last. But for three years I can back and found such love and joy. I have never met someone so committed and dedicated to their "second job" than Ashby. She works tirelessly to maintain the team, finances, and attitudes. Everything she does is for the betterment of the team rather than herself. I am beyond elated to have been her assistant coach. We have been to summer camps, competitions in Utah and across the state, countless stadiums, and even Anaheim, CA twice for Nationals.

Needless to say, the time was well spent. But a new life moment has begun where I will be marrying the girl of my dreams. She has two kiddos...life is about to get very interesting. I decided that I'd retire (after only three years). The dynamic duo is ending their amazing three year run but I hope to continue helping when needed. It was too big to simply walk away.

Skyline cheerleaders...you will be greatly missed. There is a very special place in my heart for ALL of you. Granted, it's not like I died...but in a way, this part of my life, it is the end of coaching.