"... Plus, you made (training) fun, which might not seem like a big deal but it definitely put the team in a better mood going into a dreaded, hard practice in the afternoon. I know for myself, being in a good mood before a hard practice can make all the difference of how I will perform." ~ (in a thank you note from a graduating athlete)
Happy truck drivers are less likely to crash their trucks. Happy salesmen sell a third more of their products. Happy students learn better. I don't have statistical proof, but it's reasonable to think that happy athletes perform better.
It's worth spending a lot of time thinking about what puts our athletes in a good mood. It's the only thing they remember years after they graduate, anyways.
Congratulations to our four graduating seniors (from left): Kelly Edinger, Jess DiChristopher, Lauren Hokaj, and Paulina Rein. And thanks Keaton Braun (far right) for being such a gentleman in this picture :)