Gustavo Ortiz Memorial Scholarship

A coach, to me, is far more than someone who teaches plays or runs drills. A coach is someone who steps in when life becomes difficult and chooses to care anyway. They are a mentor, a leader, and often a support system during times when an athlete may feel overwhelmed or uncertain. I’ve learned that the true impact of a coach isn’t measured by wins or statistics, but by the way they show up for their players beyond the field. There was a time in my life when my family was going through struggles that made it hard for me to get to practice. Transportation wasn’t always available, and because of that, I risked missing practices even though I wanted to be there. It was frustrating knowing that my commitment and effort might be questioned because of circumstances outside of my control. I cared deeply about my team and my growth, but I felt limited by things I couldn’t fix on my own. During that period, my coach stepped in and offered to give me rides to practice every morning. He didn’t hesitate or make me feel like it was an inconvenience. He simply made sure I had a way to show up. That small action had a huge impact on me. It showed me that my coach believed in my dedication and valued me as more than just an athlete. Those rides weren’t just about getting to practice—they were about being supported when I needed it most. Knowing that someone was willing to go out of their way for me motivated me to work harder and stay consistent. It pushed me to show up with energy, focus, and gratitude every single day. I learned accountability through that experience, not because I was forced to, but because someone invested in me. I didn’t want to waste the opportunity I was given. My coach also taught me leadership through his actions. He showed me that being a leader means helping others when they’re struggling, even when it isn’t required. That lesson changed how I view teamwork and responsibility. It made me more aware of the people around me and more willing to step up when someone else needs support. Beyond sports, these lessons have carried into my everyday life. My coach taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of showing up even when things are hard. He prepared me not just to compete, but to face real-life challenges with confidence and determination. To me, a coach is someone who sees potential, removes obstacles, and helps their players become better people. A coach’s influence lasts far beyond the field, and because of experiences like mine, I know that the lessons I’ve learned will stay with me for the rest of my life.

A coach is defined as a trainer who helps individuals on a team develop skills through feedback, accountability, and guidance. They push their athletes to a limit they know they are capable of, leading them to success and waking up every morning with a mindset to help their students reach victory. This job is unlike any other; it requires putting others before yourself and building a strong, motivated team. Although often overlooked, being a coach takes more than just leadership and guidance. It includes the essentials of being supportive, respectful, empathetic, encouraging, and challenging. Holding this title of a coach comes with great value and is not easy to live up to. Coach Ortiz was one of the few people whom many loved and looked up to. He was a ray of sunshine, always motivating and encouraging his athletes. Although I never had the opportunity to meet him, his presence is something that never fades. Each morning before school, when we go to practice, Coach Strickland and my teammates always recognize him in the sunrise, remembering how much he was fascinated by the view. Even seeing a bike brings a sudden quiet among us, as if we are collectively transported to memories of Coach Ortiz and the ways he inspired others. While I never saw him coaching, the stories people share and the emotions that arise during practice create a sense of connection, as if his spirit still guides us. Although Coach Ortiz is not physically here, his presence still lies with us. His influence persists in the motivation and unity we feel as a team, revealing the true effect he had as a coach on his students, athletes, and the people who surrounded him. Even though the word "coach" has a dictionary definition, it means nothing until you put a name next to it—someone whose actions, dedication, and impact truly bring the word to life. For us, that name is Coach Ortiz. His legacy is embedded in every practice, every competition, and every victory we celebrate. A coach is not just someone who teaches skills; they build character, inspire perseverance, and help build our strengths and weaknesses. Through the stories and memories shared by those who knew him, Coach Ortiz continues to set the standard for what it truly means to lead. His example reminds us that a great coach leaves behind more than trophies and records but an imprint on athletes' lives. To me, a coach is more than a title— it’s about the lives they have impacted, the lessons they have taught, and the spirit left behind. For our team at William J. Brennan High School, Coach Ortiz embodies all of this, revealing the true definition of a coach.

A coach means a lot more to me than just someone who teaches a sport. A coach is someone who guides you, pushes you to do better, and believes in you even when you doubt yourself. They are not only there to help you win games, but also to help you grow as a person. A good coach cares about every athlete on the team and wants to see them improve, both in their sport and in their life. One thing that makes a coach important is how they help players improve. They teach skills, correct mistakes, and show athletes how to get better through practice and hard work. When a player messes up, a good coach doesn’t tear them down or make them feel embarrassed. Instead, they encourage them to learn from the mistake and try again. That kind of support helps players build confidence and reminds them that improvement takes time and effort. In cross country especially, a coach plays a huge role. Running long distances can be very challenging, both physically and mentally. There are days when the workouts feel tough and your legs feel like giving up. During those moments, a coach helps you push through and reminds you that you are stronger than you think. They plan workouts, set goals for the team, and help runners build endurance and determination. In cross country, you are often running for miles with only your thoughts, so the encouragement and guidance from a coach can really make a difference. A coach is also someone who motivates the whole team. There are days when athletes feel tired, frustrated, or unsure of themselves. A coach reminds them why they started and pushes them to keep going. Sometimes just hearing your coach say they believe in you can change your mindset and give you the motivation to finish a hard practice or race. The best coaches also teach lessons that go beyond sports. They teach teamwork, discipline, respect, and how to deal with both winning and losing. In cross country, runners may compete individually, but they still support each other as a team. A coach helps create that team spirit and reminds everyone that every runner plays a role. Overall, a coach is someone who truly cares about their athletes and wants them to succeed. They challenge you, support you, and help you become stronger both physically and mentally. A great coach can make a lasting impact, and the lessons they teach stay with you long after the season is over. and that was coach Ortiz

To me, a coach is a patient, inspiring, and compassionate person who has the ability to challenge themselves in their coaching techniques or delivery of instructions. A coach who will take on a challenge for themselves and push themselves just as much as they would their athlete. I’ve had many coaches, and sometimes some of these coaches didn’t understand me as an individual. I also played sports alongside my younger sibling, which led to some difficulties in separating us as individuals, particularly in terms of how we received instructions and the coaching skills that were imparted upon us. One thing I remember was meeting Coach Ortiz at summer camp along with my sister, and back in my freshman year, I struggled with so many social skills due to my autism that came so naturally to others. I was not always the easiest at having confidence and was extremely anxious with crowds and loud noise, which often came inside cross-country meets. Coach Ortiz took the time to realize this and help work through my challenge. He never made me feel less than a part of the group and made me feel seen for my hard work. If I'm being extremely honest, it was a struggle for me to continue to do cross country, but I went back every time because Coach Ortiz found time to speak with me, help me feel important, and valuable to the team. Coach Ortiz had a compassionate side that understood my athletic level and didn’t bring me down, but worked with me from the ground up. Despite not being the fastest runner, I was motivated by Coach Ortiz’s words during our hard workouts, and it made me push myself to get better. Every time we ran he had one distinct saying that stuck with me which was “Last one best one,” I always found it to be inspiring because it made me want to push myself as those words were what kept me going knowing that I just had one last mile left. A coach to me is someone who sees potential and finds a way to help you fuel it and bring it to a level that makes you feel motivated to continue and work harder. A coach that will make you want to come back and do better, not only for yourselves but for them as well. Not every athlete is born with talent, but a coach who takes the time to see that potential in someone and help grow that talent is the coach I want to learn from. Having a coach who believes in me and works alongside me, just like how Coach Ortiz would ride his bike during our long runs, shows me the dedication of a coach and the effort that we all take to succeed. A good coach is one who can see when an athlete is struggling and takes the time to see why they are having difficulties is an important trait to have. To improve on their coaching skills and give that athlete the same time in helping them better themselves as they would any athlete in their training is the embodiment of my version of a coach. This shows the hard-work ethic inside them that I would like to see; instead of making me leave feeling discouraged or uninspired, this is when I need the coach to step up and understand me as an individual.

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.