Whistles are blowing. Coaches are yelling. Teammates are shouting for the ball. Two assignments and a test are on the schedule for the following day. Not even the natural stresses of school and chaos of sports can break junior Dave Leavitt’s concentration when his mind is set.  

Leavitt, who is majoring in business, puts an entirely different spin on the word “busy.” Along with the 15 credits he is currently taking, Leavitt is also head coach of a women’s competitive basketball team, the Bruins; assistant coach of a men’s competitive hockey team, the Hawks; and the volleyball coordinator for next semester. Not only is Leavitt coaching, he is also playing competitive men’s hockey and basketball. 

He looks up videos and plays for his basketball players at home and puts them into action on the court from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday. 

Leavitt runs the first couple practices to help the girls get comfortable with one another. 

When trying to focus on homework, thoughts of practice linger. He is constantly interrupted by a continual blinking light on his phone.

 “I have already gotten quite a few texts from the girls complaining about how sore they are,”
Leavitt said. 

The girls on his team are already working into his study time. This preparation may take up Leavitt’s time, but it is necessary. The team will see if all their hard work pays off this weekend in their first game.

This repertoire repeats itself with his hockey team. Leavitt uses the little time that he has sparingly, planning the volleyball program for next semester. He’s already planned most of the program, including tryouts, number of teams, and tentative game schedules. All he has left to do is find and train
the coaches.   

Leavitt’s familiarity with these sports makes his job easier.  Growing up, he played basketball, hockey and volleyball. After high school Leavitt had the opportunity to assist in coaching a high school basketball team and last semester he was the head coach of a competitive girl’s volleyball team.

From the earliest hockey game beginning at 5:30 a.m. to the latest basketball game ending at midnight, Leavitt doesn’t have a lot of time for schoolwork. He has to carefully schedule his homework time. He listens to Devotional at home while studying or finishing up assignments. Leavitt makes time for his school, social and spiritual lives, even when there is little time for it. 

Although having a head coach position may be overwhelming, Leavitt doesn’t let it affect him. He uses the stress management skills that he acquired on his mission for times like these. 

“Everything will work out,” Leavitt said. “In the end the same thing is going to happen whether you’re stressed out or not, so you might as well not stress and enjoy it along the way.”

Leavitt manages his stress level the best he can, and when it becomes too much he turns to the only one who can help. 

“I will do my best and the Lord will make up for what I can’t,” Leavitt said. Somebody has to do the work, and Leavitt is more than happy to be the one to do it.