Dear Athletic Coaches,

I was a victim of abuse.

I was an athlete. I was worthy of being an athlete and worthy of being valued for my talent. I was worthy of being heard. I was worthy of being respected. I was worthy of being told that I was incredible. My former coach stripped me of all my worth and invalidated me at any chance he got.

So I quit.

When I tell people this they ask why I didn’t try harder, or why I didn’t show I was better. I always respond, “I wasn’t valued then. I still am not valued now, so why would I put my value into something or someone who doesn’t respect that?”

For years I battled shoulder pain and muscle issues due to the scoliosis curve down my back. My coach knew that and continued to push me to my physical breaking point. I tore a muscle in my shoulder during my freshman year and had to sit out for four months after sophomore season. Suddenly, everything I loved about the sport turned sour and my plans for the future were shattered. I was an incredible athlete, state team swimmer, and varsity athlete with a dream to do what I loved the most in college for another four years. That dream is dead now.

It turns out my situation is not unique. High School athlete Jessica Wertz wrote, “You took a great player, who loved the sport with all of her heart and you turned her into a broken athlete who gave up what she loves.”  Another athlete at Nova Southeastern University wrote to her coach “Thank you for not believing in me.” Athletes lose interest and fall out of love with a sport because of your responses and actions just like I did. Or how Jessica did. How any other broken athlete did.

As a coach, your athletes put their trust in you. They remember what you teach them, what you gave them. And what you said to them. We hear your words and read your actions. You have an impact on athletes. Don’t blow it.

Sincerely,

Athletes Everywhere