The Life Lesson That Will Stay Long Past The Final Buzzer by Rilynn

The Life Lesson That Will Stay Long Past The Final Buzzer by Rilynn - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I look back on the moments that shaped who I am today, one person who stands
out above others is my high school basketball coach, Coach Montgomery. It’s not just the
lessons I learned about basketball that I will carry with me, but the life lessons he taught me that
will stay with me long after the final buzzer sound. At the start of my freshman year, I was a shy
and reserved player, hesitant to take risks on or off the court. I had the talent but lacked the
confidence to fully embrace it. It was hard being a freshman on varsity with words being said
“You don’t deserve to play, you should be on junior varsity, etc.” Coach Montgomery saw
something in me that I didn’t see in myself. One day during practice, he pulled me aside and
said “ You have everything it takes to be a leader on this team. You just need to trust yourself.”
His words were simple but it felt different coming from a coach. My parents always told me “ I
can be a leader of the team or I have what it takes to change a program.” Throughout my four
years, I finally realized that the challenge wasn’t about perfecting my skills; it was about
believing I could push myself beyond my limits. He didn’t just teach us the plays or strategies.
He taught us how to think critically, how to be resilient in the face of adversity, and most
importantly how to lead by example. He made me understand that failure wasn’t something to
fear but something to learn from.
One moment that stands out to me was my junior year of high school. We were playing
our rivals, Delphos Jefferson. We took a rough loss during the first half of our season, we
weren’t expecting to take a 57-41 loss. The day after we had practice but before practice started
coach pulled us into the locker room. The silence felt heavy, and we were all wondering what to
do. Then the coach said, “ Are you going to let this define you?” It wasn’t a rant or lecture, but
the question his us hard. Coach Montgomery wasn’t just asking about the game; he was
challenging us to define our character. He didn’t care so much about wins and losses but how
we would grow from setbacks. He knows sports are a powerful way to show growth and he used
every opportunity to teach us lessons about integrity, hard work, and perseverance. I will
continue to carry his words with me today, whether I’m facing challenges in my personal life or
my career. Coach taught me that leadership is about action, not just words and the journey is
just as important as the destination. His impact wasn’t measured by wins or tournament titles,
but by the kind of person he helped me become. I am very grateful to have played basketball
under Coach Montgomery for four years.