Teacher Appreciation: Ross Morrill
I began playing water polo my Freshman year of high school. Four years later, I have been influenced by seven different coaches spread out upon four hundred miles. One particular coach I have had for approximately five weeks. In the shortest amount of time, Coach Ross Morrill has made the largest influence.
To narrow down Coach Ross’ advices down to one important life lesson would be an insult to his teachings. With nearly seven practices a week, and five weeks of influence on me, I have seen him approximately thirty five times. With each meeting, I have learned something new, either about him or myself.
I have learned to take life in a Christian perspective. Of all my past coaches, I can say with all confidence that He is walking with the Lord. Coach Ross has taught me how to play one of the most aggressive sports known to man with grace, strength, and Christian morals.
Coach Ross was the only coach who opened his mind to see that each of his players is an individual competitor. He is the first coach I have had to realize that each player is striving for the coach’s eye, and that each player is competing to the be the best, even within the team. He has made aware that bondage between players is more important than unity between him and the players.
Coach has taught me to relax. He is the first coach to ever tell me to stop. He found out quickly that I am the player who will push myself beyond my limits to complete any kind of task. He has taught me to realize when it is proper to stop for my physical health.
Coach Ross is the first coach who has cared about his players on an individual basis. He has put in effort to understand who we are as individuals. He has given us opportunity to know who he is to show that we must know him for us to understand why he wants to know us. He treats us not as player, not as team members, not as workers, but more as daughters who are striving to become better players, stronger Christians, relaxed humans, and caring people.