John Morrison, Head Coach, Women’s Swimming & Diving, US Naval Academy “Have fun watching your children have fun with their friends and coaches. Enjoy watching them learn and grow through the challenges and failures of sport. And celebrate those moments of successes, big or small.” Ryan Parisi, Managing Partner, Coerver United “My best advice is simple; chase lifetime friendships for your child. Choose to put your child with coaches who will foster a culture of building relationships through sports while teaching your child what it means to be a friend. True friends don’t just stand next to you during your greatest moments; true friends are stuck in the mud with you during your darkest days. If your sports team is giving your child the gift of lifelong friendships, [nothing else matters!] The memories of the wins and losses will fade, but lifetime friendships last forever.”
Ryan Parisi with his soccer players building friendships. Photo courtesy of Ryan Parisi.
People think it’s all about basketball - but basketball allows our guys to get their foot in the door at a place like the Naval Academy. We’re trying to help them become the best version of themselves that they can be. They leave here with skills and ability to lead other people.”
“Chase lifetime friendships for your child.” - Ryan Parisi
“What are they doing outside of the sport? Are they involved in the community? Are they giving back? Having some humility and caring about other people carries into being a good teammate.” - Jon Perry
Jon Perry, Assistant Coach, Men’s Basketball, US Naval Academy
“When we recruit guys for our program, we want to get to know the people around them. What are they doing outside of the sport? Are they involved in the community? Are they giving back? Having some humility and caring about other people carries into being a good teammate. Parents can sometimes get really focused on pushing their son or daughter to be the best athlete they can be, but this must be their child’s vision; their goal that they are chasing. Pushing your child can lead to burnout.
Crystee Ballard, Head Coach, SPY Swimming “When they are twelve and under, sports need to be all about making friends outside of your community and having fun. When they are that age, their friends are what motivates them to show up more. Fun and friends are the key elements. If they’re not having fun or making friends, they won’t stay in it for long. Eventually they get motivated by qualifying and making meets, but I still think the fun and friends [is a vital component]. Rapid fire progress bites you in the end - if they’re outswimming everyone, everyone is going to grow up and push them too much when they’re little, in general, pushing too fast is not a good thing for most kids. Also as they get older, you have to remember this is their journey, their experience. Sometimes athletes decide when they’re fourteen they are no longer invested. Parents get these big ideas, that they will be swimming in college, but this is their journey and sometimes they change their mind which is hard because parents have put in a lot of time and money. But parents must remember this is the child’s journey.”
Jon Perry (right) coaching the Navy’s Men’s Basketball team alongside his fellow coaches. Photo courtesy of US Navy Men’s Basketball.
SUMMER 2024 | 83
Powered by FlippingBook