We want to introduce you to four graduate coaching and sport education students who gained valuable professional experience from coaching youth and college level athletes to coaching coaches. These hands-on learning opportunities allow graduate students to build their resumes while focusing and building on their primary career interests. Graduate students employ classroom learning to the field, while applying technique, psychology and administrative elements. Sport coaches must develop the essential skills and knowledge required to work with athletes in a variety of contexts across their lifetime.
Brett Anderson
Hometown: Killam, Alberta
Brett Anderson was the coach developer for Morgantown Hockey Association under the guidance of Dr. Kristen Dieffenbach.
I like being around the sport of hockey daily and being able to coach coaches.
Marija Medelinskaite
Hometown: Kaunas, Lithuania
Marija Medelinskaite coached the varsity girls’ squad and adult team. The focus was on preparing athletes on and off the water for competitions.
I love showing the athletes where they were when they started and where they are now. Showing them how much they improved over the season is one of the most rewarding things I’ve experienced. I like to tell athletes that what's today your personal best will one day be your warm-up. Then having athletes come back to me and remind me of this saying and that they did it, but they never thought they would, is a great feeling.
Mike Moran
Hometown: Strongsville, Ohio
Mike Moran was a high school boys’ varsity soccer coach, middle school basketball coach and youth boys' soccer coach.
Preparation is key for the success of these young kids. Developing new plans every session will get the kids involved and willing to learn more about the sport.
Tristan Price
Hometown: New Athens, Ohio
Tristan Price was an intern at Trinity Christian High School, where he was an assistant coach/varsity lineman coach. At Fairmont State University, he helped with equipment and tasks related to his role as a student manager.
The best thing about coaching is watching athletes reach their full potential, while pushing them to limits they didn’t think they could reach and watching their joy from having achieved their own personal success.