This is one of those continuation blogs from a previous subject. I wrote a few days ago about Sarah and David Patterson, but I could never sum up my entire time with the gymnastics team without mentioning Bryan Raschilla. Not only was Bryan a part of the coaching staff with the Alabama team, but with his background and similar story, he quickly became like a mentor to me. At about six and a half feet tall and broad shoulders, it’s obvious that Bryan didn’t get his athletic start in gymnastics. When I first met him and he told me he was a former football player that was convinced to come to gymnastics practice in high school to be the lifter and muscles for the girls, there was an instant connection. It wasn’t long before Bryan had me up in his office, showing me some of the graphic design he had done over the years and I began to realize that we had a little in common.
I learned a ton relationally while I was on the gymnastics team. When you work that closely with 16 girls that happen to be college athletes, Bryan will be the first to tell you that you gain “combat experience”. I never really knew what girls thought about or how they talked to each other, and I quickly learned that it was because I had no business knowing. So over the years, I spent a lot of time with Bryan and learned plenty of the tricks of the trade. I never thought I would get comfortable in the gym, but with the family environment I mentioned from Sarah and David, and the common ground and mentoring I had from Bryan, I felt like I was a part of the team.
One thing I appreciate about Bryan is that he always has an open door policy for me and food waiting on the table. Every time I come home, I make it to his back porch for food, drinks, and an entertaining conversation with whoever happens to be out there. Bryan has introduced me to several people over the years, and through that, has helped grow my support base. Just last night, I went over to his house after the football games (I don’t want to talk about them) and he was celebrating his birthday party with a group of friends. It was so nice to just sit on the back porch, eat some great food, and have great conversations with him and his friends. Those visits always meet expectations.
I often talk with Bryan about what I do and why I do it and how my combat experience with the team has taught me to live in community with anyone, and he’s always so supportive. When I went over last night, I couldn’t even sit and talk with someone without Bryan telling them about what I do and where I go and I almost felt like he was my agent for a little (which is strange because he should be the one with the agent). But, those are the moments when I feel so supported. This program has done a lot to prepare the way for the direction I’m walking in, and I’m so thankful to come home to people like this and share my stories…
