It says "coach" in front of Cheryl Weaver's name in the state softball tournament program, but it could just as easily say "mom."
In many ways a high school coach is like a surrogate parent. For Weaver, who navigated the way to a second straight Division III state title for the Champion Golden Flashes, girl talk is probably a bigger part of her job than pep talks.
Weaver doesn't get the credit she probably deserves for the first back-to-back state crowns in school history, and she's undoubtedly okay with that. She prefers to take her spot in the third-base coach's box and blend in with the background if at all possible.
It's easy to say that Weaver has had an easy ride the last two seasons. Who couldn't win state titles with Lindsay Swipas pitching? Who couldn't have made history with sound two-way players like seniors Haley McAllister and Alison Sorber, along with a talented group of underclassmen?
Anyone that thinks that way probably believes that Bill Belichick got lucky because he has Tom Brady at quarterback. San Antonio Spurs coach Greg Popovich might be considered fortunate because he has Tim Duncan and Tony Parker at his side.
It's obviously a must to have high-level talent to win championships in any sport, but someone has to mold it and keep it from falling apart while displaying leadership qualities along the way.
Weaver knows the unique challenge of coaching girls. Boys get angry and then quickly blow off steam. Girls sometimes carry emotional baggage that can tear a team apart if it's not kept under control.
Prom time is always interesting for Weaver. Did you ever try to keep a group of girls on message when hair appointments and dress fittings get in the way?
Weaver has been able to make it all work without any major problems, as far as the public knows. That's where her instincts as a mother come into play.
Weaver is also a flat-out good coach. She knew she had plenty of talent returning from last season's state championship team, but there was some tinkering that needed to be done.
Weaver moved McAllister from second base to shortstop to replace the graduated Tawny Rogers. There was the business of getting Darian Rogers up to speed at third base after she missed the 2011 season with a knee injury. With McAllister making a position change, Weaver brought Brooke Culler in from center field to second base. Emilee Hohvart was then moved from third base to center field.
It had to be like getting four kids fed and off to school in the morning easier said than done.
It worked to near perfection despite the fact the every Champion opponent brought its 'A' game to try to bring down the defending champs. Twenty-four wins in 27 games and another piece of hardware for the trophy case says it all.
It's unheard of for women to coach boys in any sport, but if Weaver was given the chance she'd probably do well coaching football. Her no-nonsense, even-handed style is an attribute that plays well in any sport, no matter what the sex.
There would be one advantage to coaching boys less bad hair days.