Although outstanding Berkeley athletes receive attention for winning championships, it’s important to recognize the other integral part behind a team’s success – the coaches. In recent years, when the Berkeley varsity girls’ volleyball team played in the state championship, head coach John Coup was there coaching his heart out to ensure the players achieve their full potential. Furthermore, last year when Brad Grundy and Eric Massey reached states, head varsity wrestling coach Derek Lucas boosted his team to victory. These two dedicated coaches are the backbone of their respective sports, but their coaching duties extend beyond the knowledge of their players and spectators.

Coach Coup worked with the volleyball team for several years but took over as head coach last year. Being a head coach is very time consuming and Coach Coup dedicates “30 hours a week” both in and out of school to accommodate his responsibilities. These responsibilities include some of his least favorite jobs that come with being a coach such as “administrative duties” like setting up tournaments and hosting the Berkeley Invitational Tournament which includes several elite teams. In these tournaments he expects the utmost effort from his players and “for the team to win the state championship every year.”

Despite the many demands, Coup’s favorite part of coaching is “working with student athletes.” Coup, in addition, expects the volleyball players “to be leaders” in the classroom.  Coach Coup continues to dedicate time and effort to the varsity volleyball team in order to achieve his yearly goal of bringing home the state championship.

Though he has been with the team many years, most players do not know the full extent of what being a coach entails. Coach Coup said, “Coaches take losses very hard, even though they may not show it.” Coup even superstitiously “wear[s] a specific type of underwear during every game.”

Coach Lucas, on the other hand, has been the head coach of the wrestling team for many seasons. Lucas’ goal is to “help [Berkeley wrestlers] improve and accomplish their endeavors, whether it be getting a takedown, winning, or just using a specific move.” He is immersed in the wrestling team, committing “an average of around 40 hours a week.” His expectations for the season are higher than they have ever been – “being district champions and top five in the region.” These heightened goals were inspired by Coach Lucas’ most cherished moments as a wrestling coach: “coaching and seeing Eric Massey ’13 take the title of regional champion in the Straz.”

Before a match, Coach Lucas can be found pacing and singing to himself, a pre-game routine he developed when he wrestled in high school. As a wrestler himself, Coach Lucas uses many of his experiences to benefit his wrestlers, preparing them to face any challenge that may arise during a match. Coach Lucas has put in a countless amount of hours to make the wrestling team an elite representation of Berkeley and as set the bar high for the coming season.

Coaches have helped Berkeley become an elite school athletically and have pushed their players to their full potential. Coach Coup has helped the volleyball team achieve multiple state championships while an assistant coach, and as the newly inducted head coach, he hoped to continue the trend with his exceptional efforts and a little help from his lucky underwear. Coach Lucas has been a phenomenal coach by setting a high standard for the team with two wrestlers representing Berkeley in the state tournament last year. In addition to helping their respective teams achieve success, these two coaches show commitment to their respective team through their passion, hard work and drive to win.