What are you thankful for? Peoria-area high school coaches take stock this holiday

Thankfulness comes in many different ways.

In high school sports, coaches might have the most thankless job of all. The countless hours of preparing, scouting and practice — along with the long bus rides and all the off-the-court issues — can come with more criticism than praise.

But these leaders of student-athletes relish the time they spend teaching and developing. They love to see their players flourish.

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So, on this Thanksgiving Day, we asked Peoria-area football and basketball coaches a very simple question: What are you thankful for as a coach?

Here are their answers.

Patrick Pokorny, Dunlap boys basketball

"Thankful for the relationships and memories of current and former players."

William Smith, Richwoods boys basketball

"As a coach, I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the maturation of these young men as basketball players and also as future productive members of society. I truly hope to leave a positive life impact on them all."

Kim Barth, Washington girls basketball

"I am thankful for the 30 girls in our program and the opportunity to help them grow not only in the game of basketball but the game of life. I am thankful for these girls that are the best possible role models to my young daughters. Finally, I am truly grateful that my job isn't really work. It is a chance to share what I love."

Toby Vallas, Farmington football

"Family. I don’t think people understand how difficult coaching can be on your spouse and kids. Not just the time commitment but everything that goes along with it. As a coach, you sign up for that lifestyle and your wife marries into it but your kids get thrown into the whole thing. I’m very thankful for their support."

Brianna Morrow, Illinois Valley Central girls basketball

"I am incredibly thankful for a family that allows and encourages me to support my passion."

Josh McKown, Brimfield girls basketball

"First and foremost, I’m thankful for Jesus in my life. If not for Him, I wouldn’t be where I am today as a husband, father, teacher and coach. I am thankful for a supportive wife and kids who allow me to coach, even though it means being gone quite often during the season. I am also thankful for the girls, both past and present, that have played for me and their dedication/commitment to our program. I'm grateful for the girls' families in our program and the support they provide their daughters and me. Finally, I'm thankful for the friendships that I've made with my assistant coaches, other teams' coaches, referees, etc. that come from being a head coach. I'm truly grateful to be coaching and doing what I love."

Eric Schermerhorn, Washington boys basketball

"I get to be around a group of incredible kids who compete and love challenges, and I coach with my best friends, our coaching staff."

Scott Carlson, Brimfield boys basketball

"I'm thankful for Brimfield putting up with me as basketball coach for 34 years now. I sure am thankful God landed me here. Great blessing!"

Jeremy Crouch, Pekin boys basketball

"Being a coach, I can't thank my family enough for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout my coaching journey. They have been my constant cheerleaders, helping me keep going during the challenging times. Their understanding of the long hours and dedication needed for coaching has made it possible for me to pursue my passion. My family has been my motivation and has always reminded me of the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I am truly grateful to have them by my side every step of the way."

Brett McGinnis, Pekin girls basketball

"I am thankful for the opportunity to teach valuable life lessons such as teamwork, discipline, failure and resilience to athletes through a game that I love. Being able to instill these principles prepares these student-athletes for challenges beyond the game."

Daniel Ruffin, Peoria High boys basketball

"As a coach, I am most thankful for the trust and opportunity my alma mater has given me, in allowing me to be hands-on with our youth here at Peoria High. I am in a position to help build a positive culture within our school and basketball program, that is something I am truly most grateful for."

Quinn Morrow, Illinois Valley Central boys basketball

"I have never asked or told a kid to come in (for our optional morning shooting) but have always offered to open the gym up if anyone asked me. This year I have had a kid ask me almost daily since since football ended. The last few mornings we have had 6-8 kids coming in ranging from freshmen to seniors. Many of these kids are from Mossville and not Chillicothe.  So, long story short, I’m thankful for the kids (and parents who might drive them) who are willing to get up early to get extra work in. Practices alone are hard. I always appreciate kids that embrace that and still want to do more to help their team succeed."

Jason Bachman, Eureka football

"I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of a program, school and community that values building good men as much as it does wins on a Friday night."

Shamar Hill, Richwoods girls basketball

"I’m thankful for my two kids, Ava and Amar, they mean the world to me. I’m also thankful for my family and all the players I currently coach and used to coach. I can’t forget about my coaching staff, I’m thankful for them also. Coaching is truly a blessing, and it’s an honor to be a role model to the youth. I love making a difference in the lives of everyone."

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Michaela Reedy, Metamora girls basketball

"I am thankful for my family and friends who have supported me as a player and now as a coach through the wins, losses, long nights, and the roller coaster of emotions that basketball season brings. My parents have always been superfans of the game, and have continued to do the same for me in my coaching career. Being back in the Mid-Illini (Conference) has already been a great experience and I am grateful to be back. The Metamora Redbird community has taken me in and supported me as one of their own. The players and their families have bought into my style of coaching, and I can't wait to keep growing as a team and reaching new heights with them."

Meechie Edwards, Peoria High girls basketball

"I'm really thankful as a coach for the opportunity to impact the lives of young women, and young men, to build not just athletes, but strengthen their minds and character, prioritizing academics and character by using the game of basketball to teach them."

Adam O'Neill, Morton football

"I am grateful to have the best job in the world. As a PE teacher and coach I get to spend my entire day in the weight room and gym instructing and playing games. There is lots of enthusiasm that we get to experience assisting student-athletes reach their goals in those arenas. When I was a kid, all I ever wanted to do was be in the gym. Now, I get paid to do it. We finish the day outside at football practice with energetic, ambitious, hopeful, and hard-working young people. We have to come together to work in small and large groups with young players, experienced coaches, dedicated parents, boosters, and volunteers sharing all their efforts, talents, and skills.

"It takes an entire community to run a successful football team, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with all of our community. The best parts are that your community is always growing and opportunities to watch the kids continue being successful into their adulthood. Players and parents who come back to share their successes or later rejoin the team as a coach, fan, or supporter is a pretty gratifying experience."

Holly Nelson, Manual girls basketball

"I just want to take a moment and express my gratitude for everything in my life. This year, I am incredibly thankful for life itself. Each day is a gift, I appreciate the opportunity to wake up and experience it. Alongside that, I am grateful for good health. Being in good shape allows me to fully enjoy and embrace all the wonders life has to offer. Additionally, I want to express my deep appreciation for the Lady Rams basketball team. dedication, hard work, and camaraderie bring me immense joy and excitement. Lastly, am thankful for my family and coaching staff. Their support, love, and guidance are invaluable to me, and they are a constant source of strength."

Becky Fulkerson, Dunlap girls basketball

"I am thankful for the opportunity to not only coach with my friends, Kevin and Terry, but that the girls in the Dunlap program have been so welcoming and positive with all the changes, and that the parents have been supportive from day one. I am thankful that I have two amazing daughters who not only pushed me back into coaching but are excited to support me in this journey, along with my parents who have always been supportive of everything that I do."

Maribeth Dura, Canton girls basketball

"I am thankful through coaching for the opportunity to get to know so many amazing student-athletes year in and year out. I am thankful for being able to maintain friendships with my players as they mature into young adults and seeing how they make their way through life. Coaching is one of those jobs that gives you the opportunity to see teenagers deal with what life throws at them and how they choose to deal with it. I am thankful I am able to be a part of that process should they need an assist (no pun intended)."

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria-area high school coaches share what they are thankful for