Questionable Testimonials
I'm crying... it's moments like this that make the effort all worth it! Go get em Chloe Rathburn
To begin, I am writing to you all because you have played a part in developing who I have become over the past 10-12 years. With my collegiate career coming to an end within the next few months, a little bird told me to reflect on who I am and how I got to where I am today. You all have not only taught me a thing or two about the sport of softball, but have taught me a lot about life itself. After years of working hard I’ve decided to take the easy way out for once and email you all this letter instead of individually tracking down addresses and mailing letters.
Coach Cheri-
You were the beginning of my career. You were the first person to give 10-year-old me a chance at playing the game at the next level, travel ball. You, along with the staff of the American Athletics 10u team taught me how to work hard in that hot summer sun, all while enjoying the game just like every little girl should. It seems like collegiate players get caught up in doing the best they can because of batting averages or accolades, but for me, especially now that it is my senior year…. I am playing for the little girl who first fell in love with the game. I am playing for the little girl you coached years ago. Thank you for believing in me and keeping up with my collegiate career. I’m proud to have been one of your players and I will keep that with me for the rest of my life.
Jim-
I know it has been a while since I have last seen or talked to you. Truth is, my hitting mechanics nowadays have been- well…unique to say the least. Looking back, I should have come to you during the summers I was home for some lessons. To this day ESPN and the SEC network tend to ask me about my swing all the time, but you know what? My swing works and I’ll tell you why... You taught me that despite what anyone tells me, I am a big hitter. I remember coming to Sports USA every week for hitting lessons with you. You taught me to believe in my capabilities and you saw success in me when I didn’t see it myself. Thank you for teaching me confidence. Confidence is something I’ve learned can impact anyone’s game no matter how talented a player is. I go up to the plate and I know what I can do, after all… I learned from the best right? Thank you Jim for everything you’ve taught me!
Coach Susie and Coach Kim-
What a team that was, my parents still tell me how much they missed the Bomb Squad years. It makes me think they enjoyed it more than I did! Being on that team instilled a lot of discipline that helped shaped me as a person. I learned to expect nothing but the best from myself. I learned to be early to places where I have plans because I don’t want to waste other’s time who take time out of their day to meet with me. I learned to look people in the eyes when talking to them and to respect others. I learned to think before I speak and to hold myself accountable, and to face diversity. Being coached by you two is something I will never forget. You two put together a great team with great people. Thank you for all that you two have taught me.
Coach Jeff-
Honestly, thank you for prepping me for college. You were a coach who held his players to a standard. You weren’t afraid to tell me how it is, but were also there to congratulate me when I did something right. You have taught me so much over the years and pushed me to get better every single day. Thank you for keeping up with me during my collegiate career and thank you for always inviting me back to workout or attend events with the younger teams. You made me tough, you made me ready for the next level, and you made me ready for life after college. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make something of myself and for giving me a chance to get better every single day.
Last but not least!
Jen-
Hi little bird. After our talk in Palm Springs, I sat in the hotel reflecting about my journey and who I am today. I wrote some notes down on the hotel’s notepad and transformed it into what will be this document in the end. So, where to begin? I, like many of the lives you have touched, have learned so much from you. You have taught me to be who I am and not let others tear that down. You showed me that my opinions are worth something no matter how different they are from the norm. You showed me understanding and patience. Looking back to when I was sixteen to who I am now, you were the person steering me in the right direction all these years. And although you pushed me in the right direction, you always let me push the gas pedal and allowed me to go at my own pace. Because of you, I learned to walk with my head up and have some grit to me, and to not walk through the motions, but to do something with purpose and with passion. I still remember being what seemed like an eternity late to catch a ball or spending an hour working on throwing a ball against the wall to correct my poor throwing mechanics. But with all that work, you showed me that if it something works for me, then it works for me and to not let anyone change that or tell me I am not good enough. You have impacted my life in more ways than I can express. Thank you for all the late nights you spent talking to me and showing me that I was important too. Thank you for your patience.
All-
With my last season having just a few months left, this season I will play for all who have gotten me here. This season, I am setting aside all the statistics. I may not have the highest batting average or the most homeruns, but what I will have is a great amount of appreciation and end my collegiate career enjoying every last moment I get to spend on the field before it is all over. And when that time does come, I will look back once again, and reflect one last time. Thank you for all that you have done for me. Thank you for putting in hours every week to help shape me into better player, but more importantly a better person.
Coaches, thank you.
Chloe Rathburn
University of MIssouri
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To begin, I am writing to you all because you have played a part in developing who I have become over the past 10-12 years. With my collegiate career coming to an end within the next few months, a little bird told me to reflect on who I am and how I got to where I am today. You all have not only taught me a thing or two about the sport of softball, but have taught me a lot about life itself. After years of working hard I’ve decided to take the easy way out for once and email you all this letter instead of individually tracking down addresses and mailing letters.
Coach Cheri-
You were the beginning of my career. You were the first person to give 10-year-old me a chance at playing the game at the next level, travel ball. You, along with the staff of the American Athletics 10u team taught me how to work hard in that hot summer sun, all while enjoying the game just like every little girl should. It seems like collegiate players get caught up in doing the best they can because of batting averages or accolades, but for me, especially now that it is my senior year…. I am playing for the little girl who first fell in love with the game. I am playing for the little girl you coached years ago. Thank you for believing in me and keeping up with my collegiate career. I’m proud to have been one of your players and I will keep that with me for the rest of my life.
Jim-
I know it has been a while since I have last seen or talked to you. Truth is, my hitting mechanics nowadays have been- well…unique to say the least. Looking back, I should have come to you during the summers I was home for some lessons. To this day ESPN and the SEC network tend to ask me about my swing all the time, but you know what? My swing works and I’ll tell you why... You taught me that despite what anyone tells me, I am a big hitter. I remember coming to Sports USA every week for hitting lessons with you. You taught me to believe in my capabilities and you saw success in me when I didn’t see it myself. Thank you for teaching me confidence. Confidence is something I’ve learned can impact anyone’s game no matter how talented a player is. I go up to the plate and I know what I can do, after all… I learned from the best right? Thank you Jim for everything you’ve taught me!
Coach Susie and Coach Kim-
What a team that was, my parents still tell me how much they missed the Bomb Squad years. It makes me think they enjoyed it more than I did! Being on that team instilled a lot of discipline that helped shaped me as a person. I learned to expect nothing but the best from myself. I learned to be early to places where I have plans because I don’t want to waste other’s time who take time out of their day to meet with me. I learned to look people in the eyes when talking to them and to respect others. I learned to think before I speak and to hold myself accountable, and to face diversity. Being coached by you two is something I will never forget. You two put together a great team with great people. Thank you for all that you two have taught me.
Coach Jeff-
Honestly, thank you for prepping me for college. You were a coach who held his players to a standard. You weren’t afraid to tell me how it is, but were also there to congratulate me when I did something right. You have taught me so much over the years and pushed me to get better every single day. Thank you for keeping up with me during my collegiate career and thank you for always inviting me back to workout or attend events with the younger teams. You made me tough, you made me ready for the next level, and you made me ready for life after college. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make something of myself and for giving me a chance to get better every single day.
Last but not least!
Jen-
Hi little bird. After our talk in Palm Springs, I sat in the hotel reflecting about my journey and who I am today. I wrote some notes down on the hotel’s notepad and transformed it into what will be this document in the end. So, where to begin? I, like many of the lives you have touched, have learned so much from you. You have taught me to be who I am and not let others tear that down. You showed me that my opinions are worth something no matter how different they are from the norm. You showed me understanding and patience. Looking back to when I was sixteen to who I am now, you were the person steering me in the right direction all these years. And although you pushed me in the right direction, you always let me push the gas pedal and allowed me to go at my own pace. Because of you, I learned to walk with my head up and have some grit to me, and to not walk through the motions, but to do something with purpose and with passion. I still remember being what seemed like an eternity late to catch a ball or spending an hour working on throwing a ball against the wall to correct my poor throwing mechanics. But with all that work, you showed me that if it something works for me, then it works for me and to not let anyone change that or tell me I am not good enough. You have impacted my life in more ways than I can express. Thank you for all the late nights you spent talking to me and showing me that I was important too. Thank you for your patience.
All-
With my last season having just a few months left, this season I will play for all who have gotten me here. This season, I am setting aside all the statistics. I may not have the highest batting average or the most homeruns, but what I will have is a great amount of appreciation and end my collegiate career enjoying every last moment I get to spend on the field before it is all over. And when that time does come, I will look back once again, and reflect one last time. Thank you for all that you have done for me. Thank you for putting in hours every week to help shape me into better player, but more importantly a better person.
Coaches, thank you.
Chloe Rathburn
University of MIssouri
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Like · Reply · 1 · March 17 at 7:07am
Peggy Jucha Miss Cheri! Here's a note for you. At women's networking group last Fri we were asked to name a woman who had influenced us and I named you. Your were the first female manager who gave me my start. You showed me and others management techniques that I built on and used throughout my long and successful corporate career. Thank you Cheri Naudin Csa. You had a positive impact on people then and now. :)
Like · Reply · 4 hrs
Like · Reply · 1 · March 17 at 7:07am
Peggy Jucha Miss Cheri! Here's a note for you. At women's networking group last Fri we were asked to name a woman who had influenced us and I named you. Your were the first female manager who gave me my start. You showed me and others management techniques that I built on and used throughout my long and successful corporate career. Thank you Cheri Naudin Csa. You had a positive impact on people then and now. :)
Like · Reply · 4 hrs
Peggy Jucha Miss Cheri! Here's a note for you. At women's networking group last Fri we were asked to name a woman who had influenced us and I named you. Your were the first female manager who gave me my start. You showed me and others management techniques that I built on and used throughout my long and successful corporate career. Thank you Cheri Naudin Csa. You had a positive impact on people then and now. :)
Like · Reply · 4 hrs
Like · Reply · 1 · March 17 at 7:07am
Peggy Jucha Miss Cheri! Here's a note for you. At women's networking group last Fri we were asked to name a woman who had influenced us and I named you. Your were the first female manager who gave me my start. You showed me and others management techniques that I built on and used throughout my long and successful corporate career. Thank you Cheri Naudin Csa. You had a positive impact on people then and now. :)
Like · Reply · 4 hrs
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MaKenzee Legg's college advocate. Rock star when it comes to helping guide student athletes toward their best college fit and chasing dreams. This is great write up and overview of her program. 1-11-2017 Justin Legg
GameChanger Article Promotional Links to follow: http://theseason.gc.com/softball-what-every-youth-softball-player-should-know-about-recruiting?utm_content=buffer1725f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer# January 15th, 2017 Softball is 4 Girls : http://softballisforgirls.com/2017/01/21/how-to-get-your-daughter-recruited/?utm_content=buffer23e16&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer January 21st, 2017 |
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