Nicole Nicosia As I sit here getting ready to write this I think of all of my coaches and teachers from the past and present that have made a difference in my life, from the way I coach to the way I live my daily life, their is not much of a change. I use my experiences with them every day and I wouldn't be who I am without the relationships with them. My coaching style and life philosophy are easy, 'A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell, where his influence stops.” ~ Henry Brooks Adams. To me this statement is more important then the skills they throw and the level they achieve. I believe that we as leaders and coaches effect these kids so much more deeply then just teaching a proper elevator or a double full. I teach my kids life lessons, from the way we communicate with each other about personal and team goals, to the open relationship we have about growing up these days. You will always find that I would rather have an athlete graduate and thank me for helping them with an outside cheer situation, then the accomplishments they have achieved with Airborne. Like any coach and program we have come across our own struggles and defeats. Yet, the honesty in which we can discuss our struggles and defeats make us even stronger. I have always had the philosophy that honest coaching is the best way to go. Sometimes the honesty is hard to hear, yet it makes my athletes take ownership for themselves on and off the floor. I feel that this is the reason that have kept the same core of kids for so long. We are in no way a large program, yet after living in California and coaching for three years at Santa Rosa Elite, then opening Airborne two years ago , I am proud to say that many of my members are going on their 6th year with me. What an amazing accomplishment it is to watch these young people grow and change as a person and with this sport. It is also exciting that all but one staff member past and present have come up through our program in some way. This alone gives our staff a close relationship with our kids, as they have all been coached by me and know what I expect on and off the floor. When I was a little girl , age 10, and went to my first cheer clinic, I never thought that it would turn into a career, now that it has I can't imagine anything else. After finishing my high school career in South Florida my dad said ' Ok, so are we done with this?' , Then four years later after college in N.C. my dad said ' So this is it right?' , then 3 years ago as Santa Rosa Elite attended UCA Nationals, we came off the floor and he said ' We are no where near done with this are we?'. Two years later we are the largest All Star Program North of the Golden Gate. We field teams in all age groups and levels. We have even received a bid to Worlds in only our 3rd Season open! I wake up everyday happy with the choices that I have made as a person and as a coach. I am as proud of my Mini Level 1's as I am for my Senior 5. If you have ever been to a competition with me you will know that to be true. Thank you so much for this awesome opportunity for some of you to see me in a different light. For those of you that don't know me, check me out at a competition near you, you might see me in a sombrero going crazy for my team and your team too. I just love this sport. Nicole Nicosia |
