Meet Head Crew Coach MacKenzie Goltz Lay '15
Personal Background and Experience at TC
Q: Can you share a memorable moment or highlight from your time as a student-athlete at TC? What drew you to the sport you played as a student-athlete?
MacKenzie Lay: As an athlete, my favorite part was traveling with the team. Crew is one of those sports where you spend all day together with your team. At one regatta, we went to a race in Orlando, and we spent the entire time fishing and playing on the playgrounds. I started Crew because I was friends with everyone on the team and wanted to hang out with them more. I also joined since rowing had a high opportunity for college scholarships, and I ended up receiving one.
Q: Who were some of your most influential coaches or mentors during your time at TC? How did they impact you?
MacKenzie Lay: I only had one coach at TC, and his name is Pat Huey. Even to this day, we reach out to each other and help each other train. He gave me the passion for coaching and rowing, which still lives on today.
Transition from Student to Coach
Q: What inspired you to pursue coaching after your playing career?
MacKenzie Lay: Coach Huey inspired me to pursue coaching. He made it so much fun and showed me how much a coach could change your future, which is something I wanted to share with other athletes.
Q: How did your experience as a student-athlete at TC influence your decision to return as a coach?
MacKenzie Lay: I wanted to ensure that I was fair and understanding. Balancing school, practice, and sometimes work was always a challenge. I wanted to do more than just coach—I wanted to teach them about work-life balance, nutrition, and more. I received all of this from my coaches in college and high school, so I wanted to share it with my athletes.
Coaching Philosophy and Approach
Q: What core values or principles do you emphasize to your players now?
MacKenzie Lay: Family is a core value I emphasize. You don't realize how many people you meet in high school and college who impact your future. TC creates a family, and building those relationships is important.
Q: Can you share a specific coaching philosophy or strategy that you developed based on your experiences at TC?
MacKenzie Lay: The biggest thing for me is focusing on our well-being so that our brains can think and grow. I want my athletes to get the best experience from being student-athletes, while emphasizing the importance of health throughout it all.
Impact and Goals as a Coach
Q: What are some of your proudest moments as a coach at TC so far?
MacKenzie Lay: One of my proudest moments was making it to Nationals. This was the first year in six years that we have gone to Nationals, and being able to represent the school in this space was an incredible achievement.
Q: How do you hope to impact the lives of your student-athletes, both on and off the field?
MacKenzie Lay: At competitions, I make sure they make the best out of every opportunity. Outside of competitions, I ensure they know we are here for them and help them maintain their health during the off-seasons.
Reflections and Advice
Q: How has TC changed since you were a student, and how has it stayed the same?
MacKenzie Lay: TC has not changed much, but the course load has become more intense. When I was at TC, there were maybe two or three AP or DE classes available. Now, the courses are more challenging, requiring more studying and dedication.
Q: What do you think sets Tampa Catholic apart from other schools, both as an alumnus and a coach?
MacKenzie Lay: The ability to come back and access resources as an alumna and as a coach is a significant advantage. I believe that TC is more open to returning alumni and supporting them.
Personal Insights
Q: What do you enjoy most about being part of the Tampa Catholic community again?
MacKenzie Lay: The biggest thing I love about being part of this community again is the atmosphere. Just going to games, dances, and more—it’s what I missed the most and now enjoy the most.