What is the Most Important Thing Students Learn from High School Coaches?

Assistant Commissioner Rashaan Davis wrote a shortened version of the story below for the NFHS.

When you spend time around high school activities, it doesn’t take long to realize that the most meaningful lessons don’t always show up on a scoreboard. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with McClave senior Abrielle Gomez—a two-time state champion in girls basketball, a team captain, and a multi-sport standout who has also contributed to state championship success in volleyball and track & field. As she prepares to continue her athletic career at Lamar Community College, I asked her a simple question: What is the most important thing you’ve learned from your high school coaches?

Her answer was immediate and powerful, “Be a good person first.”

Abrielle spoke about how her coaches, led by head basketball coach Brianne Howe, have consistently emphasized character over competition. While success on the court matters, it has never been the primary focus. Instead, her coaches have challenged their athletes to think about who they are beyond sports – how they represent their school, how they treat others, and what kind of person they want to become.

That message, she shared, has stayed with her in moments when it would be easy to get caught up in negativity. Whether dealing with outside criticism or everyday social pressures, Abrielle has learned to pause and ask herself a simple but meaningful question: What kind of person do I want to be remembered as? It’s a mindset that has helped her rise above distractions and stay grounded in her values.

When asked to summarize what her coaches have instilled in her, Abrielle didn’t hesitate: “To be you.”

It’s a phrase that reflects more than individuality, it reflects belonging. In describing her team, Abrielle talked about the phrase “family on three,” a standard that defines the culture within McClave athletics. It’s not about perfection or always getting along; it’s about embracing different personalities, supporting one another, and creating a space where every athlete feels valued. That sense of family, she noted, is something her coaches have intentionally built and something she will carry with her long after high school.

Another lesson that has shaped Abrielle’s journey is leadership. Early in her career, she admits she didn’t fully understand what it meant to lead. Despite being given that responsibility as a freshman, it took time, and growth, for her to embrace it. Through it all, her coaches remained consistent, continuing to challenge her, support her, and hold her to a high standard.

That growth became even more evident during a difficult stretch when Abrielle was sidelined for nearly eight months due to back-to-back surgeries. For an athlete used to contributing on the court, the experience forced her to see the game, and her role, through a different lens. Leadership, she realized, isn’t limited to performance. It’s about presence, perspective, and the ability to lift others up, even when you’re not in the game.
 

McClave’s Abrielle Gomez and her basketball coach, Brianne Howe

It’s also a reminder that the lessons learned through activities extend far beyond competition. As Abrielle shared, the values her coaches emphasized – leadership, accountability, and character – show up in the classroom, in the hallways, and in everyday life.

Perhaps the most powerful part of our conversation came when I asked Abrielle what she would say to her coach if given the chance. Her response reflected the kind of impact that defines education-based activities.

“Gratitude.”

Gratitude for a coach who has been in her corner since day one. Gratitude for someone who never gave up on her, even in moments when she felt she had fallen short. Gratitude for a relationship built on trust, accountability, and belief.

In listening to Abrielle’s story, it becomes clear that the most important lessons high school coaches teach aren’t just about winning, they’re about building people. They’re about helping students discover who they are, challenging them to grow, and supporting them every step of the way.

For Abrielle Gomez, those lessons have already shaped her path. And like so many student-athletes across Colorado, they will continue to guide her long after her high school career comes to an end.