Central Michigan University Athletics
My Father The Coach
July 11, 2002
Reprinted from Centralight
By Rob Wyman and Fred Stabley
Two outstanding performers on the gymnastics and wrestling teams didn't cost their coaches one recruiting dime. They visited across the dinner table each night.
Wrestling coach Tom Borrelli and gymnastics coach Jerry Reighard have fought in tremendous recruiting battles over the years and have won their fair share, as witnessed by their combined 12 Mid-American Conference championships.
But this year, two excellent recruits are their children, Jason Borrelli and Kara Reighard.
Borrelli, a second-year freshman, finished the 2001-02 campaign with a 28-10 record, going 4-1 in MAC dual meets to help the Chippewas to their fourth straight conference championship.
Reighard is a true freshman who won the MAC all-around championship with a school-record tying 39.425 performance in leading Central to a second-place finish.
While there's no doubting their potential after superb rookie seasons, it was not always a given that both would wear the maroon and gold at CMU. Jason decided early that he was going to be a Chippewa, while Kara's journey to CMU was much more dramatic and emotional for both father and daughter.
"There was a point when I thought I'd never come to Central," Kara says. "I really didn't think my dad wanted me to come here, and I told my mother.
"Well, that night my dad told me how much he wanted me at CMU, and I made up my mind right then and there. I have always known in my heart that this is the best program in the country, and I'm glad to be here."
Jerry couldn't be happier, but the five-month recruiting process by other schools was tough on the Chippewa father/coach.
"It was a difficult time for me," he says. "On one hand, I wanted my daughter to make her own decision and do what she thought was best. On the other hand, I want the best athletes in my program, and since I had trained Kara all of her life, to have her go off to another program would have been really tough on me.
"The night she decided to come to CMU was filled with a lot of tears and emotion. Obviously, I'm happy with the choice she made."
Jason Borrelli didn't have much soul-searching to do.
"My choice to come to Central Michigan was never much of a decision," Jason says. "My dad taught me everything I know about wrestling, and I could never wrestle anywhere else. I strongly believe my dad is the best coach in the nation, and he's the honest type of person I want coaching me."
Tom understood his son's desires from the beginning and was more than happy to have him wear the Chippewa uniform.
"Jason's coming to Central was never much of an issue because since he started wrestling, this is the place he always wanted to end up," Borrelli says. "It would have been tough for me personally if he had decided to go elsewhere. Like any parent, I wanted to be able to see him compete and do his best."
The unique relationship of being parent/coach at the university level has not been without its challenges for the Reighards and Borrellis.
"This year has really taken its toll on my mind and body, but that's part of gymnastics and something we all deal with," Kara says. "I know that my dad is always watching out for me, but he is also pushing to make me better. He expects a lot from me, and I'm glad he does."
Jerry is concerned about treating all his athletes the same.
"The most important thing for me is to make sure that I am fair," he says. "I don't want people to think that Kara gets special attention because she my daughter. I think sometimes I push her a little harder then some of the other athletes because I know exactly what she is capable of doing."
Jason echoes Kara's sentiments about the challenges he has encountered.
"It has been great competing for my dad this year because it is something that I have dreamed about my whole life, and it has come true," he says. "It has been tough at times when he thinks I should know something and don't. It frustrates both of us.
"Having Casey Cunningham [assistant coach] and my dad, two people I have looked up to my whole life, has been wonderful."
Tom feels the positives far outweigh the negatives about coaching his son.
"Coaching Jason has been great this season," he says. "I know it is tough on him sometimes because I expect so much. But, he has done a great job, and I'm proud of him."
Now with the recruiting wars and successful freshmen seasons behind them, the Borrellis and Reighards can sit back and enjoy the next three years.