Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Pam Mackenzie

The Kent Reporter Coach of the Month is Pam Mackenzie from Northwood Middle School track and gymnastics coach.

KSD Athletics is working with coaches and athletes to better understand #myreasonwhy they participate in athletics. Please share with us your reasons for coaching.

I coach because I absolutely love it. The relationship between a coach and athlete is often different than that of a teacher and student. There is a shared passion for the sport among athlete and coach that is not always present in a traditional classroom. This makes the guidance I can provide more meaningful and impactful to the athlete. As such, I genuinely feel the reward of shared excitement when an athlete demonstrates their love for a sport. It is equally rewarding to see an athlete achieve a goal they’ve set for themselves. In short, their joy is my joy, and that’s why I coach.

What are some of the ways you seek to explore and provide opportunities for students to become involved in athletics?Athletics are a great way to keep students staying healthy and becoming involved in school. It gives them an opportunity to excel and take pride in their accomplishments. I coach two non-cut sports in track and gymnastics, so truly any student could participate in these sports. Beyond that, I love to encourage students to participate in any sport! The added connection to the school, to an important adult in the school (the coach), and to peers with a common interest creates a significant uptick in motivation and performance for the athlete as a student and as a friend to others.

After they leave your school, what are some of things you hope your students will take away from their experiences on your teams and with athletics?

My hope is that my athletes become better citizens as a result of competing in athletics. A good athletic program teaches athletes to become responsible and dedicated. It also provides experience creating goals and reflecting on progress. Additionally, an athlete learns to take pride in their accomplishments, creating the desire to achieve even more. Overall, I hope my athletes take away a sense of commitment and a hard-working attitude that will carry on into adult life.

Do you have a favorite book that has helped you become a better coach?

My favorite book is Mental Strength for Young Athletes by Meghan Durko. In particular, Durko’s focus on mindfulness, meditation, and mental strength are impactful. Young athletes need stress reduction, emotional regulation, and increased happiness, and the mindset strategies Durko covers are useful for those goals. Perhaps my favorite part is when Durko explains how self-confidence will positively affect the athlete’s performance and combat nerves. While every unique season will eventually end, the usefulness of developing these lifelong traits will never end.

Why does this coach deserve to be coach of the month?

Pam has been a dedicated coach at Northwood for more than 15 years. She consistently goes above and beyond to support student-athletes, setting high expectations while providing the support they need to reach their potential and athletic goals. Pam demonstrates exceptional dedication, compassion, and passion in her coaching. She continually promotes a positive, collaborative team culture and provides support to all her athletes. Northwood’s Track and Gymnastics programs continue to attract an impressive number of student-athletes, which shows the passion and dedication of Pam. Under Pam’s leadership, Northwood track and gymnastics teams have won multiple league championships.