Dear Zack, What’s up man?! I still can picture you saying that with your little wise guy smirk. I haven’t been able to stop thinking of You, Chunks and Derek in the front row of the vans, playing music, talking trash, just being hilarious 15 year olds. It’s a staple in my brain, alongside so many other amazing memories about you. I’ll never forget the phone call from your dad 3 years ago. I’ve never felt anything close to that other than the call I got from him about a month ago. But he knew, and I learned, you weren’t going down without a fight. You weren’t going to complain, you were simply going to compete. Compete against anything in your way. And you did, brother. You ultimately did until it was no longer possible for you. The special part about our relationship, which we never really spoke about but was always an underlying theme was learning from each other. On the field, I was your coach. I helped you get better. In life, you were my coach. You were teaching me strength, courage, toughness, humility. When I started coaching, I wanted to be the guy that everyone knew he would do anything for you. Didn’t matter the time, place or task. I wanted to be dependable. I think that’s because that’s what Reegs was for me at Eckerd. Then I started working for Scott and I realized he was doing the same things for players. I needed to be that. I wanted to be that. And after a bit of time, I get like I was. I was becoming that dependable coach. Not only on the field, but off the field, during different seasons, whatever it was. At least I thought. It wasn’t until you were back in the hospital that I ACTUALLY had to become that person. Now it wasn’t about sports. It wasn’t about a game. It was about you. It was about being there for you, supporting you, talking to you. Whatever it was you needed. You made me not just talk about being that “dependable” guy, but live it. Visit you every week, check in daily on via text. Whatever it was. Continued... ⬇️