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When junior Becca Wills took Introduction to Aquatics last semester, she had no idea that the class would begin her coaching career. Professor Steve Dalcher, the girls' head swim coach at Delta High School, gave her the job of coaching a competitive swimming team made up of approximately 50 students from Delta Middle School.
"I've always wanted to be around kids and I've always loved competitive swimming," Wills said. "So after I thought about it, coaching was something I wanted to do."
Since the first week of January, Wills has led her team through practices and meets each weekday. With her Ball State University classes ending around 2 p.m., she has little time for the activities she previously participated in. Wills was unable to compete with the Ball State water polo team this year because of her commitment to coaching. However, she found help in friend and water polo teammate, Jenni Jackson, who assisted her a few nights each week.
In addition to the time constraints, Wills says the job brings other challenges.
"Finding time to eat, time for yourself and keeping priorities right is the biggest challenge," she said. "At the same time you're always trying to be a better coach."
Wills says she finds the job rewarding and plans to do it again next season. "I feel like the kids hear so much negative stuff at that age. I like being able to tell them 'yes, you can do it,'" Wills said, "Its good being able to give them confidence and believe in themselves."
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