“You going on that senior trip, Bentley?” he asked one day during third period, using my last name as he often did. “I guess I’m not a joiner.” I had some good friends at school but wasn’t into clubs or organized anything, beyond football. But the real reason is that my family didn’t have the money to send me off to New York City with my classmates over winter break.Ĭoach nodded. “Well, it’s not New York, but I have some time planned in Florida the week after Christmas. I have a couple of contacts at South Floria and you could take a look at their program… I’d cover the expenses” Maybe I could convince your folks to let you join me…. I wasn’t going to be D-1 scholarship material, but if Coach had an in, that meant I could play ball in a decent program, at least as backup. I was an aimless 18-year-old, I suppose, and Coach sensed I could use some direction. Not an away game, not a chaperoned school trip, just us. If it works out, great, if not, maybe I can set up a phone call with those South Florida coaches.” “But I’m not sure my parents would agree.” “Sounds good, Coach,” I said, feeling a lot hesitant. I shouldn’t have been surprised that my parents were on board, but I was. Coach M was a persuasive guy, I knew, but wow.
I mean, within a week Coach sent me the plane ticket for a full week down in Tampa. I was anticipating the trip the whole next month.
If I had any self-awareness I’d realize it was a major case of puppy love.