A Coach's Perspective

In this episode, we celebrate the annual basketball luncheon for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.  Byron Shive, President of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, gives us a preview of the inductees and the Filbert Five award winners.  My thanks to Byron for the time and all of the efforts he puts into a successful Hall of Fame event.  We also welcomed Rick and Honey Pickren as this dynamic duo, and husband and wife, are both being honored for the Filbert Five Award.  My co-host, Jent Pickren did a tremendous job, too!  Congratulations to all of the award winners!  Listen HERE

In this episode, I walked the walk.  I am always saying reach out to your coaches and mentors and tell them what they mean to you and express that gratitude.  Well…it was time to walk the walk.  I cold called some of my former coaches and mentors, some names you will recognize, and thanked them for everything they have done in my life. Thank you for answering your phones!  I appreciate all of you and the leadership you have had in my life, and some of you in my kid’s lives:  My parents (Dr. Tommy Burnett and JoBelle Hopper), Dr. David Oatman, Jane Lindsey, Julie Leeth, Mark Fisher, Kent Hedgpeth (daughter’s basketball coach), and John Pinney (son’s boxing coach).  Gratitude needs to be expressed, it brings joy to those you express it to, and it brings an inner peace and happiness to your own lives.  Make the call to your former coaches and mentors. Also, thank you to my producer (pictured), Abbey Linton, you are appreciated!  Listen HERE

In this episode, we caught up with Evangel Men’s Basketball head coach, Bert Capel, assistant coach, Jackson Capel, along with players Josh Pritchett, Broc Smith, Garrett Davault, and Autry Acord. With a mix of talented veterans, rookies, and a national ranking this program is headed in the right direction with leadership on the sideline and on the court.  We talked about what makes this team special, how they handle pressure, and how they embrace their roles.  My thanks to the entire crew that joined us, they all did a tremendous job!

Josh Pritchett, Autry Acord., Jackson Capel, Garrett Davault, Broc Smith, Coach Bert Capel

In this episode, we are joined by Alexis Fibble out of New York.  Coach Fibble is an educator, coach, mental health consultant for athletes, college recruitment consultant, and certified life and health coach.  We thoroughly explore how coaching has changed, how physical and mental skills have counteracted each other, and the ever-evolving college recruitment process.  Coach Fibble gives valuable insight and practical tips for coaches, athletes, and parents to help navigate athletics today.

In this episode, we caught up with University of Arkansas Women’s Basketball coach, the talented Mike Neighbors as we discuss Mental Coaching. It is no secret that collegiate athletes are excited and ready to roll for basketball season! It is also no secret that some of them are dealing with some very real and impactful issues.   Coaching the entire athlete can help develop the lives of these young athletes and help them reach that coveted potential.  Coach Neighbors is that kind of coach and has elevated the University of Arkansas Women’s Basketball team to new heights.  Listen to this episode and you will see why.  

Tonight, we have another segment on Panel Power.  We talked about support and guidance and the importance of having mentors and being mentors to others. We profiled the mentoring and leadership program CHAMPS with some of the mentors in the program. My panel tonight included: Ned Reynolds, Greg Stephenson, Becky Oakes. For more information on CHAMPS, visit: HERE

Tonight, we had a special show to show some love and appreciation for our friend, Art Hains.  We had a panel of people that love Art and are fighting with him during this challenging time.  In case you have been in a cave, or you are not from this area, Hall of Fame broadcaster, Art Hains, is currently battling some rare side effects of West Nile Virus. 

I want to thank my co-host, Art’s daughter, Kathleen Hains, for joining us, we were very grateful to have her in studio. Along with my co-host, we had some wonderful friends here for Art and some that sent in well wishes.  It is only an hour show, but we packed in a lot of love, thank you to my guests: Rick Jester, Tom Mast, Wyatt Wheeler, Mike Keltner, Ned Reynolds (recorded message), and Corey Riggs (recorded message). Also, thank you to Abbey Linton for producing, too!

We wish Art the best and had fun telling some stories tonight and encourage you all to do what you can to support this endeavor with the family.  Please visit this GoFundMe page to assist - ART

On Tuesday, October 4, 2022, the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame inducted St. Louis Cardinals physician, Dr. Brian Mahaffey and Olympic medalist Courtney Frerichs! We catch up with both inductees to chat about their careers and the path they took to accepting a Hall of Fame induction.  From high school Cross Country to the Olympic podium, Frerichs has ran her way into the hearts of so many with her perseverance and fortitude during competitions.  Dr. Mahaffey has impacted lives at every level from the Missouri State University Bears to the Springfield Cardinals, and now with Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals.  His diligence and caring spirit have athletes gravitating toward him and craving his knowledge and empathetic attitude.  Thank you to both of my guests for joining us, and for what you do in our world of sports!

Last night, Tuesday, October 4, 2022, the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame inducted Darrell “Smitty” Smith into their Hall of Fame. A successful boxer in his own right he had taken his skills along with two college degrees, law enforcement involvement, and military experience and created a mecca of mentoring with “Smitty’s Mid-West Boxing Gym & Youth Center”.  Opening the gym in 2012, Smitty has helped and coached over 1,500 kids using the sport of boxing as a powerful platform.  My guest has a heart of gold for kids and will do anything to help them succeed!  Thank you, Smitty, for what you do in our community and for what you do for our youth! Also, thank you to his son Israel for helping out with the interview!

Next week (Tuesday, October 4, 2022) the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame will induct six individuals and one Era of Excellence Award.  This year’s Era of Excellence award recipient is the Greenwood Laboratory School Football Program – Mullins Era. Coach Paul Mullins, along with quarterbacks Jim Ferguson, Steve Harman, and Alan Rosen from the Greenwood Football Program joined us as we talked about the secret of success of that program and how Coach Mullins and Coach Purvis built a culture around their program.  Young coaches and young athletes – listen up and take notes – this is a great episode on building a program!