I am a dad of a son and two daughters. My sons first love was basketball. His second was baseball. I had the honor of being an assistant coach on his basketball teams growing up. When we released them to Junior High, I thought I was done.
Then my middle daughter messed around and made the travel team too.
One day a coach called me and asked me if I would be willing to help coach her team too.
One day I went to try outs and helped him decide the 12 girls that would make up our team.
One day I knew there was one that was going to be special. Even in 4th grade. When you know, you just know. As they say, “just be good and they will find you.” We were thankful because we knew she was going to be good, special, different. Even in 4th grade.
One day I almost got in a fight during a game because the other team knew our best player and literally attacked her the entire game.
One day we wrote up a play specifically for one player and one player alone.
One day we got to take our girls to THE Ohio State game so they could scrimmage on the court at halftime.
One day (featured picture) as we waited I leaned over to that player and she said “Coach Aaron, ONE DAY my jersey will be up in those rafters.” I replied “No Bri, ONE DAY your jersey will be in the rafters in Chapel Hill (I’m a UNC fan).” She rolled her eyes.
For the last few years I have had the honor of watching 23 be awesome at every level she has played. Her journey ends on Saturday and I can’t be more proud of her. It has taken her places and she has received every award she is due. It wasn’t OSU or UNC but it was where God planted her.
What I saw on that One Day in a tryout, she has done throughout her collegiate career.
And I’m real proud of her.
Ya know, Saturday is just ONE DAY of sacrifices from her parents. It’s late nights, long road trips. It’s new shoes, lessons, shooting sessions. It’s practices and decisions. It’s games. So many games. Saturday she will take the court for the last time in her home arena.
I couldn’t be more proud of her.
I’ll always be thankful for that one day.
Congratulations Bri.
AARON CONRAD 