The Wait Is Over

Getting The Message

Adam is walking up the hill to the field where the Chicago Red Stars are training and hears a sustained round of applause, with Vanessa DiBernardo in the center of the huddle, holding back tears. He understands what is going on and is moved. It is a soccer tradition to pay respects to a club member who has passed away by doing a minute of applause for him or her at a specific point of a match. Vanessa's father, a former assistant coach of the Red Stars, died yesterday of a heart attack and team captain Alyssa Naeher, upon hearing the news, informed the club's coaches and asked if they could do a minute for Angelo at the start of training. Once the applause ended, all of the players walked to Vanessa in turn to give her hugs. Alyssa also handed Vanessa her armband and told her that she'd be leading the team out tomorrow against FC Kansas City. Adam continues over to the bench area on the opposite side of the field, where he talks with Lisa Cole.

Adam: I heard the noise out here and thought I'd check to see what it was. What a classy moment that was from your players for Vanessa's dad.

Lisa: When Alyssa called Shannon and I to tell us about Angelo's passing, she asked if we could do something both to remember him and to support Vanessa during this time of grief. A good portion of our team played under him prior to my being hired and had fond memories of him, so I thought it would be a good opportunity for them to pay tribute to his impact on the organization.

Adam: Let Vanessa know that my shingle is out when or if she wants to talk. As I said in my presentation on Friday, dealing with grief in the midst of playing is something that stretches athletes' emotions extremely thin and if they don't try to dissipate their sorrow through talking with friends, family, coaches, or others, it eats away at them.

Lisa: I'll inform her of your services. Will you be around the hotel tonight around 9:00?

Adam: I should be. Why?

Lisa: Can you hold that time open for her if she wants to see you. We're going to have an emergency team meeting and she doesn't really need to hear what is going to come down.

Adam: I take it some of your players aren't acting like professionals and you're needing to take what we talked about yesterday to the next level.

Lisa: Yes. Shannon walked through our block of rooms last night and saw two of them had hangers on the doorknobs.

Adam: I've been out of college more than 15 years now and even *I* know what that means.

Lisa: Would you mind watching training for a little bit and see if you notice any additional unprofessional behavior?

Adam: I can do that.

Adam takes a seat on the bench and starts observing the Red Stars' practice, taking notes when he sees something that sort of sets off an alarm about the internal dynamics of the team. After a half-hour or so, Lisa comes back to the sideline to confer with the psychologist.

Lisa: Did you catch anything I should be aware of?

Adam: I don't know most of your players, so I'll have to give you numbers. Danielle and #3 seemed to be a little too touchy-feely with each other in one of the rondos. 7 looked to make more contact than necessary with 8 on the corner kick drill. On the other hand, Steph and Kristie didn't exhibit anything that would indicate to anyone that they were married. I know there is at least one other possible relationship in your squad from past sessions I've had with players so far this week, but I couldn't tell you who it is based on the interaction on the field.

Lisa: Thanks, Adam. I guess I will really need to lay down the law tonight.

Adam leaves Lisa to her players and heads back to his temporary office.