Twenty-five years ago this summer, I had a conversation at JoJo’s Tavern that quietly shaped the course of my life. We talked about everything that afternoon, the Oakland Raiders, teaching, and what it truly meant to be a coach. It was Brian Maynard Welsh’s graduation gift to me: an afternoon out in Hamilton, New Jersey. A mustard pie, nachos, buffalo wings, and even those famous mini tacos. No phones. Just two guys laughing, reminiscing, and looking ahead to the upcoming high school soccer season.
I didn’t realize it then, but that conversation marked the beginning of my journey into education, one that has now spanned more than two decades.
A lot has changed since then. The world our student-athletes grow up in today is very different from the one we knew. We live in a time of unprecedented challenges for young people. Social media, academic pressure, and a constantly shifting global landscape have created a generation more connected than ever but often more emotionally isolated. Rates of anxiety and depression among teenagers continue to rise.
Our student-athletes need spaces where they can grow, belong, and build resilience. High school sports offer that space.
The long bus rides, the team dinners, the moments of pain and joy, these are what shape us. High school sports teaches us the value of hard work, commitment, and teamwork, lessons that reach far beyond any field or court. A player who shows up to practice every day, learns to win with humility, loses with grace, and supports teammates through adversity is gaining the tools they’ll need for life. They learn what it means to play for something bigger than themselves — for their team, their school, and the name on the front of the jersey.
High school sports build accountability, leadership, time management, and grit. They remind our kids that effort matters, that real connection still counts, and that shared goals can create something truly powerful.
The role of the coach has changed, too. In 2025, coaching is a 24/7 commitment. You’re on call through texts, emails, group chats, and team apps. One social media post, message, or video can change a team’s season, a player’s future, or a coach’s career. And while the relationships formed through coaching are as rewarding as ever, it’s never been harder to unplug and recharge.
We’re also facing a growing crisis: fewer adults are stepping up to coach, referee, or mentor. Burnout is real. The expectations are higher and the margin for error feels smaller. We need more coaches and we need our veteran coaches to feel supported enough to stay. High school sports don’t happen without committed adults who are willing to give their time, energy, and heart to our kids.
We need schools and communities to continue to step up and invest in these leaders, provide real support, and build a culture where coaching is not only valued but sustainable. The number of willing adults may be shrinking, but the need for them has never been greater.
I’m grateful for the past 25 years on the sidelines and in the classroom. We all crave connection, challenge, and purpose. High school sports deliver all three. In the midst of all this change, one thing hasn’t: high school sports still work. They still teach. They still unite. They still matter. I believe in high school sports and a good bar pie from JoJo’s.
Bryan Fisher is the boys soccer and girls lacrosse coach at Notre Dame High. He is also a history teacher at West Windsor-Plainsboro South.
