Athletic teachers learn life lessons through sports

Kristy Maydwell

"To me, hard physical action is very important," said religion teacher Mr. Mark Koesters. Playing varsity basketball in high school instilled in him the importance of physical excercise.

Other teachers also found that sports enhanced their lives, both while playing and in the years following. Playing sports gave them the skills of teamwork and dependable friends for a lifetime. Not only did they find sports physically healthy but also spiritually healthy. Through playing, they discovered themselves and the self-confidence for success.

"It built my self confidence because I was good at it," Koesters said.

Koesters played sophomore, junior and senior year and received 3 letters. He found playing enjoyable and that it also gave him a lot in return.

Gym teacher Ronda Motykowski played basketball at University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She, however, did not have a varsity or junior varsity team. She played on Division II for five years.

She was red-shirted freshman year, meaning her tuition was paid for five years for playing basketball four years. She decided to play for five years.

Motykowski was also nominated for the all conference team by her school. This team has the best players from schools in a certain region.

Playing has helped her with her coaching today and has given her a great group of friends. If she ever needed to, she knows she could count on them, whether it's a doctor or even a teacher that she needs.

"It's kind of like a sorority," she described it simply, "I still remain in contact with my teammates."

Gym teacher Ms. Beth Swift also found being an athlete a good way to make friends. She played basketball for four years and tennis two years at Kearney.

Swift also found that playing sports gave her more advantages than just being physically fit. "It's developed me into the person I am, like with work ethic," she said.

Swift was awarded the two-time player of the year for basketball from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, and she was also nominated as an All-American.

Being active in sports is a fun way to become healthy physically, mentally and spiritually. Long after an athlete is finished playing, the teamwork and self-confidence will continue to grow within them.

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