Coach Lizzie Lasso

Since I can remember, I’ve always had a fascination with iconic coaches.

My first memories are of Green Hornets Basketball Coach Ed Wilson. He was my older brother’s coach with bushy eyebrows and more basketballs in his car than seatbelts. It was custom for him to recruit at elementary school field days. I still laugh at what some parents probably thought of an elderly man with a clipboard observing kids… But, I assure you, he was all business. Sports business that is. Additionally, Coach Wilson would call the house at odd hours because a coach’s mind never stops.

During Coach Wilson’s more than four decades of volunteer coaching well into his 90s, he enriched the lives of countless players. His legacy is vast with former players represented in the NFL, NBA and MLB including Mark Teixeira, Gavin Floyd, Danny Ferry, among many others.

Not long after Coach Wilson, and following several other great coaches, there was one particular favorite. Coach Latonick, who handed out Tootsie Roll lollipops after every practice—a tradition I plan to continue in my coaching.

Then high school field hockey brought the legendary coach Lil Shelton. It’s hard to put into words what she did for me or women’s sports at Severna Park High School. Sure, she was the winningest high school coach in Maryland history. Moreover, Shelton started a softball team at SPHS in 1973, followed by field hockey team in 1975, which would become her dynasty. Shelton’s five-week Junior League Summer program cost a mere $20. It gave players a place to work on their skills.

Next up? Former SPHS Head Lacrosse Coach Carin Peterson. I would have run through a wall for her. Or person, for that matter. That’s actually true and photo evidence is below to prove with an embarrassing shot of me between another girl’s legs… I should also note this appeared on the front page of my local newspaper, The Capital, during my senior year.

Carin was (still is?) so intimidating. I’d profusely apologize all the time. For what? I can’t recall. But it was cyclical. I’d apologize. Get told to “stop apologizing.” Then apologize for saying “Sorry.” I’d end up right where I started. 

Fast forward to my days on the coaching side. My players have said the funniest things like …

“I can’t run because I had a big lunch.”

“It’s my time of the month.”

I can’t imagine having the gall to tell my former coaches – especially Shelton or Carin – either of those items. At the time of coaching, I was pregnant with my third daughter and walking around in intense heat. Oh and I had a torn meniscus too. I’m not complaining now, nor was I complaining then. Just noting the irony of young teenagers doing so. Safe to say, my toughness was born from Shelton and Carin’s intense programs.

As a coach, I’ve always led with fun and discipline. Ted Lasso is not only one of my favorite T.V. shows, but Midwesterner coach Ted is another worth noting of my coaching inspiration. How could he not be with hysterical gems like these? 

“Your body is like day-old rice. If it ain’t warmed up properly, something real bad could happen.”

“Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.”

Ted Lasso’s “Believe” sign is also a great metaphor for life. When all hope is lost. Or, it’s almost too hard to breath. We still have faith.

As I approach this fall, I’ll be volunteering to coach my daughter’s field hockey team. While my legal name is Lauren, my nickname growing up is Lizzie and many know me as Coach Lizzie. I’d already introduced myself as Lauren to most of these parents from my daughter’s school. Cue the name confusion all over again. But it’s not really about my name, but coaching style I plan to have. I’ll take a little inspiration from past coaches in my life like the ones mentioned here, and build my own coaching style. Yes, even Ted Lasso will play a part.