How do I express my deepest thanks to the best coach I've ever had?

He's been coaching X-C and long-distance track for over a decade and always has been reputable, "Oh, is that Coach Leighliter?" Most coaches will approach him and greet him.





I joined track this year for the very first time (after joining X-C for 3 years), but sadly this may be the last year that he coaches track. I want to buy him something that expresses thanks, not something that nonsensical or extra.





He got me from 7:29 - 6:15 minutes for 1600m.





He's also very understanding about injuries and rest time, and even grades. I overheard from a teamate that he might stop coaching altogether after the next X-C season.





He's one of few people in this world that has changed me for the better. What's the best thing I can do for the coach who has done so much for me and my teammates?

How do I express my deepest thanks to the best coach I've ever had?
Your making me cry! the same thing happened to me when i was in gr 10. my coach of 3 years was going over to England for a yr and wsnt sure if he would come back to the school. he was the one that noticed that i was a 40m runner. he got me down from 1.30- 1.06 in the space of 6 months. he was the best coach i ever had. i wrote him a letter expressing my gratitude and got everyone he had ever taught or coached to write him a nice letter. and then we each put in $50 so he could buy something nice from England and w also bought him a trophy saying 'thanks for being the best coach ever'.
Reply:i think you could buy something nice and thoughtful for him to have to remember you, and you should write a letter telling him about all that he did for you. I'm sure that so many students think this way, but few would actually tell him thankyou. You can really make someone feel that what they have done for so long is really worth it by telling them how they changed you. It may seem like a little stupid thing, but it can make a serious difference for someone.
Reply:Coaches always appreciate their students thanking them for their time and effort.


A card with a personal note would be nice.


If you can express how important he has been to your running I know he will cherish the thoughts.
Reply:As a former coach, I always love getting pictures that remind me of kids I've coached and heartfelt words like the ones you wrote. Just by letting him know how much you appreciate all he has done for you and others you are giving him the greatest gift. One gift I received from the last team I coached was an album with pictures of my kids and they each wrote a small note. It is a cherished possession of mine. I"m glad you were so lucky to have had someone have such an impact on you. Good luck!
Reply:I know exactly how you feel. My coach retired when I was in highschool and I felt the same way. I wrote him a really nice note telling him how much he has made a difference to me and then I had this picture of me and him framed. It wasn't very big but just a nice reminder to him that he realy did mean the world.





Hope this gives you some ideas!
Reply:You have expressed yourself quite nicely in your explanation. Perhaps you should refine it somewhat and send it to the coach in the form of a letter telling how he has changed you for the better, his influence on your work ethic, his regard for you and teammates as students. Coaches get involved in activities which interest them. He will be flattered to know that he has had an influence on your life.
Reply:I know how you feel, because my coach is the same way. He is always there for us, other coaches always want to meet him, he pushes us hard and gets us good times, and he cares about us on a personal level. My coach is like a 2nd dad to everyone on the team. When we moved up to high school we still kept in touch with him. I visit him every day and so do my teammates. Every day I tell him how much I miss him and how he has made a difference in me. Sometimes you just have to express how he makes you feel. Telling him rather than just giving him a gift will be more important to him. Before he retires, make a collage of pictures from when he was coaching and your teammates and stuff. My team did that and we also each wrote something about him and we typed it and put it in a frame so he could always have it there to look at. At the track banquet we made A HUGE card and everyone wrote in it and gave it to him. Just take the time to talk to him sometime and tell him how much he means to you. If you can't do it in words, do it in writing. I hope you find something really special to do for him!