Coach Z: Teaching Toughness with Kindness to 5 Teams at SFCHS
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The sound of harmony for ShayLinn Zweygardt, also known as Coach “Z,” is the thumping of dribbling basketballs or the click-clacking sounds you can hear as you run. When asked what her favorite sport was, Zweygardt thought for a while and then decided she doesn't even have one. “That's why I coach five different things,” Zweygardt said.
Zweygardt holds many titles at Saint Francis Community High School including: head junior high volleyball coach, assistant high school volleyball coach, head high school girls basketball coach, assistant junior high girls basketball coach, and assistant high school track coach.
She said she loves moving and keeping active. She also loves connecting through sports with people. Zweygardt said she enjoys going on runs with friends and she said her “job” as a coach doesn't feel like a job. “I don't feel like I should be getting paid. To me, it's practically an awesome hobby,” Zweygardt said.
“I believe this is why so many student-athletes love Coach Z. She makes the game exciting and really enjoyable to play. There is rarely a dull moment,” said Alondra Gomez, Saint Francis freshman. Gomez said Zweygardt really truly brings the best out in any part of the team. I believe this is so true as well.
My eighth grade year, my entire reason for partaking in volleyball was to be with my friends. I didn’t really know much about volleyball so I was still just sticking my toes in the water. Then Coach Zweygardt came to SFCHS and really helped me grasp onto the sport. And to be honest, at first, I hated it. Running strained me because I’m definitely not very athletic, but I stuck with it. Now that I think back, I’m so glad I stayed in volleyball. I am so glad that Coach “Z” pushed me. The fact that I know now that I can run those 10 down and backs in 70 seconds makes me so proud of myself. The way she cheered me on throughout these two years has made a world of difference. I’m not sure if I could’ve made it this far, in fact actually I know I wouldn’t have made it this far without her support. Thank you.
David Morrow, Saint Francis Community High School principal, said he asked Zweygardt to interview for the high school girls basketball coaching position. “Shay came from arguably one of the best basketball programs in the midwest (Hoxie under coach Shelly Hoyt), it seemed wise to ask her to coach basketball,” said Morrow. “In both volleyball and basketball, she was a true competitor in every sense of the word.” Other good qualities that Morrow said he loved about her was her “warrior spirit, her leadership, and her overall demeanor.” Morrow also said Zweygardt is a “blessing” to many of the student athletes. He said whenever she teaches toughness, she always does it with kindness. Kindness is truly one of the best things a person can have, and Coach “Z” definitely has it.
