Players flood the pitch. Practice commences and tensions run higher with an upcoming game. soccer captain Camden Cox and coach Ryan Cox work together as leaders on the field and as father and son.

“Since I have been coached by my dad as long as I have been playing, I really enjoy the connection we have as a player and coach,” Camden said. “I feel like he understands what I respond to better than any other coach I’ve ever had.”

Cox has hopes for his players that they are successful. 

“I want to push every player to be the best version of themselves beyond the sport,” he said. “It is no different with Camden. I want him to be successful on the pitch and accomplish all that he can, but also carry that over to other aspects and be successful there as well.”

When choosing the captain for the soccer team, Cox stayed out of it. 

“I didn’t want anyone thinking that I had influenced what was going on one way or another,” he said. “I’ve seen that happen with other coaches and their kids and I didn’t want that to be us.”

Because they have worked with this dynamic for many years, they do not face very many difficulties in separating their time as player and coach from their time as father and son. 

“We also have a great understanding for how the other operates,” Camden said, “and this allows us to work well together as player and coach.”

“I love getting to see players outside of the classroom and the hallways,” Cox said. “Sometimes the person you see in class is not the same person you see on the pitch or court. I love seeing that other side of them and helping to bring that part out a little more.”

Camden’s favorite thing about soccer is that play is going on with few stoppages, making it easier to stay engaged than most other sports. 

“I also love the dynamic of the team and learning to rely on one another to produce the best results.”

Camden and Coach Cox have worked together for years, and the way they work together is truly one to admire.