Rick Semin, I simply knew him as “Coach Rick.” It’s been one year since he departed this life to be in the eternal presence of our Lord. All who knew him would agree we lost him too soon. It was sudden, unexpected, tragic. But one year later I’ve had some time to think about all the wonderful memories we shared together. He was my coach from 8th grade all the way through High School. We had good seasons, we had bad seasons, and everything in between. But the memories I value the most were not the ones he taught me about the game we love. I wish I could share everything about this great mentor, but a few brief thoughts are all this weary heart has the strength for right now.

One In Christ | Won In Christ

Junior High and High School are strange times for a boy. The world is opening up before your eyes, you’re no longer a child but not yet a man, trying to find identity and purpose. Boys need a leader who can be hard on them, help them grow, and help them learn from their mistakes. Coach Rick was one of those in my life. He cared about winning, yes. But he valued the hard work and the character of the person more than the success of the athlete. As a part of a Christian Homeschool team, he took unique advantage of the freedom to not only coach us, but also to disciple us as Christians. We were all wearing the same uniform, but that was not what bound us together. We were part of the body of Christ.

I think it was my freshman year when he came up with this mantra, no matter the score, no matter if we had a winning record because we were one in Christ, we always Won in Christ. As a teenager, I thought it was kind of cheesy, as a senior I realized I had grown accustomed to our chant after every game, but now as an adult, I remember this phrase and I smile. I smile because I see all the lessons he taught me, I appreciate the sacrifices he made to be my coach, and I thank God for the man who was like a second father to me. This was a man who loved his family, respected his opponents, and led his players with a smile on his face.

A Box of Trophies in the Basement

Perhaps no saying of his rings in my ears more than the one he reminded us of at the end of every season. He reminded us that we play hard, practice hard, compete hard, but at the end of the day all the trophies end up in a box in the basement. He wanted to remind us there was more to life than basketball and there was more to basketball than trophies and awards. He lived like this was true. He could tell you the statistics for every game and what was going through his mind play-by-play. But he always emphasized character over everything else. I miss my coach more than words can express. But his leadership and godly example continue to motivate me to this day. I am so blessed by the best coach I ever had, and praise the Lord that his legacy lives on through his wife, children, grandchildren, the Denver Eagles organization and the players who he trained and taught to be mighty warriors for Christ on and off the court.

RESPECT OPPONENTS | EDIFY TEAMMATES | GLORIFY GOD

In Loving Memory of Rick Semin