在里奇菲尔德公立学校，我们的教练在塑造学生运动员的生活方面发挥着至关重要的作用，无论是场内还是场外。 在全国教练日，我们想要表彰我们的教练每天为他们的工作所付出的奉献和激情。

Here’s what some of our coaches had to say about their experiences.

奥马尔·麦克米兰，男子篮球教练

在教育领域工作了24年的奥马尔比以往任何时候都感到精力充沛。 “Each year, I feel I’m getting stronger and stronger as a teacher versus becoming burnt out. This feeling can be attributed to working in the RPS district,” he said. 奥马尔已经在里奇菲尔德茎小学（以前的里奇菲尔德中级学校）工作了24年。 除了教学，他还是一名长期的篮球教练。

“I have the opportunity to coach Basketball, work with the youth and coach with one of the best coaching staff in the state,” he shared. 作为一名教练，奥马尔强调培养年轻运动员需要投入大量时间。 “We invest our time into making sure they are doing well in the classroom, on the court and in the community,” he said. “We’re not just developing stronger players, but also future leaders and good citizens. #WeOverMe”

Desmond Walker – 足球 and Girls Basketball Coach

Desmond’s passion for giving back to the Richfield community shines through in his coaching. “I love giving back to my community and coaching, teaching, and mentoring our youth,” Desmond said. 对德斯蒙德来说，里奇菲尔德的学生们一直是他快乐的源泉。 “The kids are funny—they keep me engaged and feeling spry at times,” he added with a smile. 除了教练，Desmond还是一家名为Portages health的心理健康和福利公司的业务和数据分析总监。 在幕后，德斯蒙德和他的团队努力为他们项目的未来制定战略和计划。 “There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes,” he said. “I have an outstanding staff, and we spend a tremendous amount of time strategizing and meeting to determine what’s next for the program.”

Harry Cruz – Soccer Coach

对哈里来说，当足球教练不仅仅是教足球； it’s about instilling life lessons that extend beyond the field. “I love doing what I'm best at, playing soccer,” Harry shared. “But what’s even better is teaching teens how to play the best sport in the world. I enjoy teaching lessons that help them on the field and out in the real world.” 他执教c队的方法？ “A typical day as a C-squad coach is bringing the spirit to my players, especially when they have to run laps and sprints,” he laughed.

Greg VonRuden – Track & Field Coach

作为一名科学教师和教练，格雷格在与不同背景的学生建立联系中找到了成就感。 “I love teaching science because it’s always fun and interesting,” Greg said. “Coaching allows me to share my favorite sports with the next generation and watch them grow as human beings.”
After 28 years at 里奇菲尔德中学, Greg finds joy in Richfield’s unique student body. “Our kids show a genuine desire to learn and explore the world around them. We have diverse and wonderful students in Richfield, and our staff is excellent to work with.” One fun fact about Greg’s long career in RPS? “I’m now teaching the sons and daughters of students I taught at the beginning of my career. It’s shocking when a student tells you their mom had you for science!”

Greg Stephens – Baseball Coach

格雷格重视与运动员建立的关系。 “I enjoy making connections with student-athletes and teaching them valuable life skills,” he shared. Though he’s only been with 里奇菲尔德高中 for five years, Greg feels fully integrated into the school’s coaching community. “The entire football and baseball staff was so welcoming to an Edina-born guy, and I’ve learned so much from all of them.” 教练花费的时间比很多人意识到的要多。 “A lot more time goes into coaching than just showing up for practices and games. Many hours are spent working on lineups, pitching rotations, practice plans, drills, and more.”

Bryan Skof – Softball Coach

布莱恩已经在里奇菲尔德高中担任了七个赛季的垒球主教练。 “The process, practice and development fuel the excitement to get better every day. 机会教游戏和生活是一对伟大的搭档。 Life and sport truly are connected and mirror each other,” he shared. 对布莱恩来说，高中体育带来的社区意识是很特别的。 “The connection within the community, within the softball program and alumni, and being a part of something larger is fun to have a role in,” he explained.

布莱恩认为，教练所做的准备工作往往被低估了。 “As a coach, we are planning, scheduling and preparing all year for our softball season,” he said. Bryan takes great satisfaction in seeing players succeed and having those "light bulb" moments where everything comes together. "Their personal development creates great habits and life lessons after they are finished playing."

Frank Sentwali Gardner – Basketball Coach

弗兰克喜欢有机会帮助塑造年轻人，无论是在精神上，还是在篮球技术和对这项运动的热情方面。 “Developing the boys into men is the best feeling as a coach,” he shared. 弗兰克认为教练不仅仅是教授篮球的后勤。 “It’s much more about managing personalities than it is about the X’s and O’s of the sport,” he explained.

This is Frank’s sixth year as an assistant coach at Richfield. 他非常尊敬自己的主教练奥马尔·麦克米兰（Omar McMillan）。 “Coach McMillan is an amazing human being and an inspiration in his patience and the way he deals with young men,” Frank said. 在里奇菲尔德工作，他最喜欢的部分之一是他的教练组和体育办公室的支持。 “Everyone is so accommodating and supportive,” he said.

Kris Pulford – 足球 and Baseball Coach

克里斯喜欢能够帮助学生运动员在学校、体育、社区等方面做到最好。 "Sometimes it is very difficult, but I hope to help them achieve what they thought they never could," he shared. 这是他在里奇菲尔德担任教练的第11个年头，他很享受和他一起训练和工作的所有人。

"In an average week in the fall I will spend 30 hours a week 'coaching' football," shared Kris. "This includes checking grades and attendance for 70 students-athletes, planning practices and meetings, running the actual practices and meetings, game planning, game day, watching film, laundry and folding laundry, cleaning and inventory, and a few other things as well."