RayLynn Ratcliff has helped guide a new generation of Wolf hoops stars. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
The job title is changing, but not the passion.
After three seasons as a Coupeville Middle School boys’ basketball coach, RayLynn Ratcliff is stepping away, but she’ll remain a vibrant force on the hardwood, now focusing on her SWISH team.
As she transitions roles, the high-energy hoops guru offered a few words to her many fans.
It has taken me some time to muster up the courage, and right words, to share my resignation.
This opportunity presented itself three years ago, and I jumped in headfirst with an outpouring of support from family, friends, and mentors.
Over these past three seasons, it has been an honor to serve this program alongside our dedicated coaching staff and committed athletes.
Together, we worked to build an environment grounded in grit, gratitude, humility, trust, excellence, and growth.
Watching our athletes develop — not only in their skills and understanding of the game, but also as individuals — has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
It has truly been a privilege to coach such a special group of young people.
To my husband: Thank you for your support of my wild ideas – you put up with long days, late nights, frustrations, ideas of practice plans and always grounded me on the importance of balancing being successful as a coach with being joyful and grateful.
It takes a true partner in life to be married to a sports coach – I appreciate you, always.
To my boys Kamden and Braxten: Thank you for teaching me the importance of the role coaches play in your lives – you challenged me to be more patient, understanding and appreciative for all the good days and all the bad days.
To my mentors and colleagues: Thank you for always being available to ask questions, share ideas, give input and partner to work to create such an amazing program that not only develops these young athletes as players but also as young adults in a time of their development when they need it the most.
Ratcliff pours her passion into the game.
To my players: Never stop working hard, never stop challenging yourself and pushing yourself towards your goals.
Never forget the feeling you have celebrating the successes with your teammates and the motivation those hard moments create for you.
Never stop loving the game of basketball and THANK YOU for three seasons of laughs, jokes and memories I will never forget.
While I am stepping away from this role, my passion for supporting youth basketball in our community remains strong.
I will continue to coach a group of now-sixth graders in our third season of the Skagit County Swish league and look forward to continuing to build their skills and love for the game throughout the next few years before they make their transition to high school.
I hope they get to be part of something amazing in their high school careers.
I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and do not take lightly the role I played in these middle schoolers’ lives over the last few years.
As the group that I had as sixth graders three seasons ago makes their transition to high school next year, I hope they remember the importance of always working hard, always holding themselves accountable, having integrity and challenging themselves — but most importantly, always having fun and loving the game of basketball.
I look forward to continuing to contribute my time and energy to local programs, and I hope that my journey will allow me to continue to invest myself in the community and Coupeville basketball program.
And who knows what the future may hold as I may eventually find my way back into the Coupeville basketball program in some capacity.
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