For some, a job can be tiring and boring. For Coach Sameer Bhatt however, his job is something that he enjoys doing and is very special to him. Coach Bhatt is the proud Head Coach of Ayala’s Boys’ Varsity Basketball team and is respected and appreciated by many.
In his college years, Bhatt had seriously considered attending law school and pursuing a career in law. Eventually, Bhatt decided that the right path for him would be in the teaching and coaching field.
Bhatt himself played basketball, and he currently coaches Varsity Boys basketball at Ayala High School. Basketball has been the only sport that Bhatt has coached and he has been in the coaching field ever since he graduated from high school.
Since beginning his coaching journey, Coach Bhatt has had many different experiences that he finds the most memorable, whether they’re on or outside the court.
Bhatt’s most memorable moments include helping students and athletes reach their goals and seeing how their lives change and progress since leaving high school. Getting a glimpse of their success and accomplishments is the most fullfilling part of coaching for him.
“The fact that so many of them come back to give back their knowledge and time to our current student-athletes is truly rewarding for me as a coach,” Bhatt said.
These very moments in which Coach Bhatt can see the successes that his players have acquired after high school are what have helped shape him into being the person and coach he is today.
“Coaching has helped me become the best version of myself, as I have learned about service and giving back to those under my leadership,” Bhatt said.
In addition to being a dedicated coach, Bhatt is a highly appreciated person. Whether the praise he receives is given to him by his past players, his current players, or anyone who knows him, it’s clear to everyone that Coach Bhatt is a very approachable and admirable person.
“I think that he is loyal,” Amy Campbell, Assistant Coach of the Boys’ Basketball team said. “He demands the most of his players so that they can be better men on and off the court.”
Although Bhatt only coaches basketball at the Varsity level, other players from different levels of the basketball team are still highly respectful of him because of the impact he’s had on various different people.
“He’s helped me realize the discipline and hard work you need in life to succeed,” Derek Kashalla (10), an athlete on the Junior Varsity (JV) basketball team said.
Bhatt has many goals that he would like to accomplish in the future that include helping athletes ultimately reach the most of their athletic abilities as well as their future personal goals. With him hopefully accomplishing his goals, he will be able to build on his program’s culture.
“My hopes and goals are to continue doing my best, with the help of my outstanding coaching staff, to build our student-athletes to be the very best version of themselves on and off the basketball court,” Bhatt said.
Overall, Coach Bhatt proves and shows others what it truly means to be a good coach. With an approachable personality and firm coaching character, it is evident that Coach Bhatt is respected and admired not only by his players, but also by others who know him.
“Coaching has helped me become the best version of myself, as I have learned about service and giving back to those under my leadership,” Coach Bhatt said.
