Gustavo Ortiz Memorial Scholarship

In my opinion, a coach is like a third parent. They create a home-like environment that involves every athlete and makes everyone feel included. They try to enhance the positive qualities of their athletes and change their lives for the better. They watch us grow up from a scrawny fourteen year old boy or girl fresh out of middle and school and clueless to how the world works to an eighteen year old independent, fearless adult. A coach wants the best for us, like a parent, and they are naturally competitive for us. They want each individuals to put their heart and soul into competition and to give it all they've got in them, they want the team to be the best at the sport, and they want our grades to be the best. That's how my coach, Coach Ortiz, was. He strove for us to be the best in everything. Coaches want us to become our best selves. Coach Ortiz did his job as a coach and much more, he was family. He did his own homework on the team's competition (and sometimes individuals especially when we got into "championship season"), we would often talk about race strategy (I know he did with others as well such as my teammates, Zac and Mikey). Usually he was very calm, but when the time came he would cheer so loud it would block out any other voices. For example, my freshman year when I made it to state for the first time. I was about to turn the corner for the final stretch of the race and he was standing in the corner behind the fence and cheered for me. It was the first time I had ever heard him yell like that. It really helped me to push to the finish line and set a personal record that day! My sophomore year, he let us take trips during the cross country season because the team improved so much. We were able to go to Round Rock, Texas to race with the faster runners. He always wanted us to push harder and compete against the best of the best. Even though we know we aren't he believed we were one of the best. And that's another thing, he always treated everyone equally. From the first place runner to the last place runner, even if you weren't on Brennan's team he would clap and say encouraging phrases like "good job", "keep it up", or "your almost there". Coach Ortiz made Brennan Track & Field and Cross Country feel like my second home.

To me, a coach guides and supports another person in achieving personal or professional goals. Coaching involves active listening, empathy, and questioning to help set goals, and navigate challenges. It's a trans formative journey that foster self-discovery and continues improvement, allowing people to overcome obstacles, enhance their skills, and boost their confidence. I for one was a very lucky athlete who got a chance to experience having a coach who perfectly fits that criteria. He was a coach that gave me life skills that I will forever have for the rest of my life. As I reflect on the most influential figures in my life, one person stands out: my cross country coach, Coach Ortiz. His guidance not only transformed me into a better athlete but also shaped me into a more resilient, confident, and more compassionate individual. Through his unwavering support and mentorship Coach Ortiz taught me valuable lessons that extend far beyond the track. My journey with Coach Ortiz began during the beginning of my sophomore year, when I was struggling to find my place on the team. I was uncertain, and often felt like I didn't belong. Coach Ortiz noticed my potential but also saw the self-doubt that held me back. He took a personal interest in my development and constructive feedback that helped me improve with each passing meet. His belief in me was contagious, as it sparked a fire within me to work harder and push my perceived limits. One of the most significant ways Coach Ortiz impacted me was by teaching me the value of perseverance. During a particular tough season, our team faced a series of losses that left us feeling defeated. Instead of giving up, Coach Ortiz used these setbacks as opportunities to teach us about resilience and teamwork. He reminded us that success is not solely defined by winning but by how we respond to adversity. I learned to approach challenges with a growth mindset, viewing failures as stepping stones to success. Coach Ortiz also instilled in me a sense of leadership and responsibility. As I grew more confident in my abilities, he began to entrust me with more responsibilities, such as the capability of solo training. I realized that being entrusted isn't just about maintaining trust but being an example of how one can reach max potential. I felt a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I had never experienced before. Moreover, Coach Ortiz influence extended beyond the realm of sports. He encouraged us to be active members of community, getting involved with volunteering events, which emphasized the value of giving back. Through these experiences. I developed a deeper appreciation for the impact one person can have on others. I learned that leadership and mentorship are not limited to the sports arena but can be applied to all aspects of life. Today, as I look back on my high school years, I am forever grateful for the lessons Coach Ortiz taught me. I will carry his teachings with me to college and adulthood. At anytime I struggle, I think back to Coach Ortiz's teachings and remind myself that anything is possible. In conclusion, Coach Ortiz changed me for the better by instilling in me a sense of resilience, leadership, and compassion. His mentorship not only made me a better athlete but also a more confident and empathetic person. As I move forward in life, I aspire to pay it forward by becoming a positive influence in the lives of others, just as Coach Ortiz was in mine.

What is a Coach to Me? To me, a coach is more than someone who stands on the sidelines calling plays or running drills. A coach is a mentor, a motivator, and often a second parent. A coach is someone who pushes you past your limits while reminding you that your worth isn’t just tied to performance. For me, that definition started forming at the age of five, when I first stepped onto the court with the RS Tigers Youth Sports organization. Since then, through basketball, soccer, track, and volleyball, I’ve had the honor of being coached by many, but no coach has impacted me more than my dad. Growing up, my dad coached every team I played for. He wasn’t just teaching me how to pass the ball or improve my footwork—he was teaching me how to lead, how to show up for others, and how to believe in myself when things got hard. He always expected my best, not because he was tough, but because he believed in what I could be. When you’re coached by your parent, especially someone like my dad, you learn early on that showing up with discipline, heart, and humility matters just as much as any win. Playing sports from such a young age shaped who I am. Being part of a team taught me how to communicate, support others, and push through challenges—on and off the field. I carried those lessons into high school, where I played on the girls soccer team at William J. Brennan High School. I was proud to wear that jersey and represent my school, knowing that I was part of something bigger than myself. But then life threw me a challenge I couldn’t simply outrun or outplay. After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, I began monthly infusion treatments that took a toll on my body and energy. As much as I wanted to keep playing the game I loved, my health had to come first. Walking away from the soccer team wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Despite no longer being able to compete, the lessons I learned from my coaches—especially my dad—never left me. Coach Ortiz’s legacy reminds me of everything that’s good about sports and coaching. He wasn’t just respected because he built fast runners or strong athletes—he was loved because he built up people. He poured into his students not just as athletes, but as individuals with dreams, struggles, and potential. That’s what a coach does. A coach sees the whole person and helps them grow through wins and losses, on and off the field. Even though I no longer wear a uniform or run onto the field for games, I carry the spirit of an athlete with me every day. I’m still part of a team—in my school, in my family, in my community—and I continue to lead and serve the way my dad and other coaches showed me. Whether it’s encouraging classmates, volunteering, or balancing academics while managing my health, I try to show up with grit, positivity, and heart. To me, a coach is someone who teaches you to keep going even when life gets hard. A coach sees something in you before you see it in yourself. A coach changes your life—and sometimes, becomes one of the reasons you believe in yourself at all. Coach Ortiz did that for many. My dad did that for me. And because of them, I hope to do the same for others in whatever path I take next.