My parents didn't really understand too much about sport. At that time, we were in a Polish community in the inner city of Chicago, and I was the youngest of a bunch of cousins. Polish families are real big, with cousins and aunts and uncles.
Each group and each youngster is different. As a leader or coach, you get to know what they need.
I think some parents now look at a youngster failing as the final thing. It's a process, and failure is part of the process. I would like it if the teacher and the parents would connect more. I think that used to be, but we're losing a little bit of that right now.
To me, teamwork is the beauty of our sport, where you have five acting as one. You become selfless.
The person who has inspired me my whole life is my Mom, because she taught me commitment. She sacrificed.
It's always an honor to be ranked high, but whatever is said about you, you take it and then take a realistic look at yourself and who you are.
