Butch Briggs has an impressive list of coaching accomplishments having served as the head coach for the boys and girls swim team at East Grand Rapids High School for more than 50 years. He was inducted into the Grand Rapids Halls of Fame in 2009. In 2011 and 2020, he was named the U.S. National Girls Swim Coach of the year. But through it all he’s remained humble.
He reflected on his coaching, saying:
“My coaching philosophy has been, and continues to be, a work in progress. I have formed relationships with hundreds of amazing young people. They have taught me life lessons in real time and real situations. As a neophyte coach, the experience revolved around winning. We worked together as a team, supported each other in and out of the pool, and won often. Thankfully, I became aware of the value within each athlete. Today, I attempt to interact with each athlete at every team activity and follow their progress in non-swimming endeavors. In short, when I removed my ego from the team’s expectations and outcomes, the entire atmosphere was much more enjoyable and productive. And we are still capable of being successful. The Lord has put me in the right place at the right time.”
Butch continues to impact past and present swimmers. And his example is the inspiration for today’s Our Daily Bread devotional.
All is well,
Lisa