A Coach's Perspective

In episode #176, we welcomed World Team Tennis General Manager of the Springfield Lasers, Paul Nahon. We caught up on how the Lasers did during this unique season, and how spending their time together in a “bubble” that included team dinners every night, elevated their team chemistry and skills with the majority of players showing significant improvement throughout the season at Greenbrier.

We also talked about another one of his passions, sailing. Besides being the General Manager of the championship program. Springfield Lasers, he is also Commodore of the Stockton Yacht Club. We talked about his love for sailing and how he has a passion for racing. He encouraged beginners to learn and get out in the water! We discussed the two styles of sailing, for recreation, and for him, another angle (no doubt competitive) the side of racing. He is a wealth of knowledge on tennis and sailing and we thank him for spending the hour with us!

Next week we will host best-selling author Kate T. Parker, author of “Play Like a Girl”, “The Heart of a Boy” and “Strong is the New Pretty”. She is full of energy and enthusiasm for the life lessons we can teach our youth through sports. A former collegiate athlete, she has created motivational works from her writing and photography skills. She has been featured on ESPN W, the Today Show, Good Morning American, among others.

Listen at https://www.acoachsperspective.com/new-page-2-2-1

Or on Apple iTunes Podcast under A Coach’s Perspective.

A Coach’s Perspective:

Live on Wednesday nights, 6:00-7:00 pm on The Jock 96.9FM/99.9FM/1060AM/RadioSpringfieldApp.

Like-Facebook: @CoachJeniHopkins

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In episode #175, congratulations to our guest tonight, upcoming inductee (Class of 2020) into the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame (SASHOF). We had a lot of fun celebrating Bill Helfrect’s storied and legendary baseball career at Missouri State…and his football running back days for the Bears, too! We had a surprise guest tonight for Bill, his former college coach and now friend for life, Coach Bill Rowe. I know, right? The legendary Bill Rowe stopped by the studio to talk about Bill Helfrect’s career and what an honor it was to coach him and his teammates. We talked baseball and about what made that group so unique and special. The memories they made will be timeless and the lessons they learned have carried over into successful professional and personal lives.

Bill Helfrect will be inducted into the SASHOF on October 5, 2020 along with Larry Nemmers, Becky Oakes, Dan Lucy and Wayne Fredrick along with a new recognition, the Era of Excellence, being awarded to Parkview High Schools “Jolly Green Giants”.

Listen at https://www.acoachsperspective.com/new-page-2-2-1

Or on Apple iTunes Podcast under A Coach’s Perspective.

A Coach’s Perspective:

Live on Wednesday nights, 6:00-7:00 pm on KWTO’s The Jock 98.7FM.

Like-Facebook: @CoachJeniHopkins

Follow-Twitter: @coachhopkins987

Subscribe-Website: acoachsperspective.com

Subscribe-Apple iTunes Podcast: A Coach’s Perspective

In episode #174, we were once again happy to celebrate some upcoming inductees (Class of 2020) into the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame. This week we enthusiastically congratulated and celebrated with legendary broadcaster, Dan Lucy as he expressed how honored he has been to broadcast sports in the Springfield area for nearly 32 years. We also celebrated the unique and successful attributes of an era at Parkview High School that left a lasting impact on the community. The “Jolly Green Giants’ will receive the Era of Excellence Award from the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame. Representing the players was Gail Fredrick (2005 individual inductee of the SASHOF) and representing the coaching staff, Dr. Edsel Matthews (2000 SASHOF inductee; 2005 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee). They gave some valuable advice and guidance to young athletes, coaches, and parents of athletes. We appreciated their insights and perspective on the value of sports and the parallel of life lessons.

They will all be inducted into the SASHOF on October 5, 2020 along with last week’s guests, Larry Nemmers, Becky Oakes, and Wayne Fredrick and next week’s guest, Bill Helfect.

Listen at https://www.acoachsperspective.com/new-page-2-2-1

Or on Apple iTunes Podcast under A Coach’s Perspective.

A Coach’s Perspective:

Live on Wednesday nights, 6:00-7:00 pm on KWTO’s The Jock 98.7FM.

Like-Facebook: @CoachJeniHopkins

Follow-Twitter: @coachhopkins987

Subscribe-Website: acoachsperspective.com

Subscribe-Apple iTunes Podcast: A Coach’s Perspective

In episode #173, we were happy to celebrate three upcoming inductees (Class of 2020) into the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame. We congratulated and celebrated with former National Football League referee Larry Nemmers, former coach and athletic administrator Becky Oakes, and champion golfer Wayne Fredrick. All three shared lessons they have learned from their experiences and the importance of continuing to learn and give back to the game. Their advice was spot on about how sports parallel life. My thanks to our call-in guests: Dr. Ron Snodgrass (Big 10 Football Referee), Dr. Karissa Neirhoff (Executive Director of the National Federation for High School Sports), and Tim Blasi (2019 HOF member).

They will all be inducted into the SASHOF on October 5, 2020 along with next week’s guests, Dan Lucy, Bill Helfect, and Parkview High Schools “Jolly Green Giants”, who will receive the inaugural Era of Excellence Award.

A Coach’s Perspective:

Live on Wednesday nights, 6:00-7:00 pm on KWTO’s The Jock 98.7FM.

Like-Facebook: @CoachJeniHopkins

Follow-Twitter: @coachhopkins987

Subscribe-Website: acoachsperspective.com

Subscribe-Apple iTunes Podcast: A Coach’s Perspective

In episode #172, we welcomed Coach Michael Collins, Missouri State University Men’s Basketball, who gave us an update on the new Bears, Badges, and Kids initiative and the success of their inaugural outing.

We then hosted two guests from Springfield Public Schools, Director of Athletics Josh Scott and Assistant Director of Athletics Marty Marsh. Right out of the gate we celebrated Marty’s latest achievement, earning the distinct title of Certified Master Athletic Administrator from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). Josh received his certification six years ago and continues to encourage his site administrators to pursue professional advancements and development. We celebrated all of the recent certifications in the district, also recognized: Rich Dameron, Brad Angel, and Jeremy Rios. We also discussed the valuable angle of hiring quality coaches and providing athletes and coaches with a meaningful and educational athletic experience. Thank you to all of these gentlemen for what they do in the name of educational athletics!

Next week, we will welcome some of the new inductees of the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020. Tune in and find out who is getting recognized for excellence in athletics!

Live on Wednesday nights, 6:00-7:00 pm on KWTO’s The Jock 98.7FM.

Like-Facebook: @CoachJeniHopkins

Follow-Twitter: @coachhopkins987

Subscribe-Website: acoachsperspective.com

Subscribe-Apple iTunes Podcast: A Coach’s Perspective

It’s challenge time again! We, again, challenged Ned Reynolds and Art Hains, to a Play by Play/Color Analyst escapade. Our first challenge was to have them perform play by play and color analyst work on a Hibachi chef at Nakato Japanese Steakhouse. They passed that endeavor. We then challenged them to “Play by Play” charades with a panel of judges (Don Louzader, Jeff Burnett, and Misty Ramsey). Again, they passed with flying colors. Our latest challenge for these two Hall of Famers, consisted of broadcasting the 1st Annual ACP Championship Event of miniature golf! My thanks to our host course, Fun Acre in Springfield, Missouri! Our finalists were Don Louzader (Two-time Open Champion at Fun Acre, ACP’s baseball correspondent), C.J. Ball (Drury Women’s Golf Coach), and Jeff Burnett (our Kansas City Chiefs Superfan). It was a tight race and our broadcasters filled our listeners with action-packed intensity as we moved from hole to hole. In the end, however, the bronze medal was awarded to Coach C.J. Ball, the Silver to Jeff Burnett, and the Gold….no surprise…to course champion Don Louzader! My thanks to all that made this challenge an enjoyable event. If you missed it, listen at acoachsperspective.com or on Apple iTunes Podcast.

Next week we will host Josh Scott and Marty Marsh, Athletic Directors for Springfield Public Schools about some well-deserved accolades for their department and what is coming up with SPS Athletics.

Live on Wednesday nights, 6:00-7:00 pm on KWTO’s The Jock 98.7FM.

Like-Facebook: @CoachJeniHopkins

Follow-Twitter: @coachhopkins987

Subscribe-Website: acoachsperspective.com

Subscribe-Apple iTunes Podcast: A Coach’s Perspective

Tonight, we graciously hosted the Men’s Basketball Coach at Missouri State University (MSU), Dana Ford along with the Springfield Police Department’s Chief Paul Williams. We discussed the initiative and partnership they have formed to start the program Bears, Badges, and Kids. This program will have players from the MSU Basketball team, members of the Springfield Police Department and kids from our community, on their home courts, coming together on Saturday mornings to play pick up and talk with each other in hopes of educating and forming positive relationships. Chief Williams and Coach Ford should be commended for their efforts on taking action with their platforms and being positively engaged in our community. My thanks for their compassion, caring and efforts with this much needed intervention in our society. I feel it will have a tremendous impact and will hopefully ripple through the city. Thank you, also, to Community Partnership of the Ozarks and all that are involved in making this happen.

Next week, it’s challenge time again! We will once again challenge Ned Reynolds and Art Hains, if they are brave enough to accept! Our first challenge was to have them perform play by play and color analyst work on a Hibachi chef at Nakato Japanese Steakhouse. We then played “Play by Play” charades. Tune in for the latest challenge for these two Hall of Famers, Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

Wednesday nights, 6:00-7:00 pm on KWTO’s The Jock 98.7FM.

Like-Facebook: @CoachJeniHopkins

Follow-Twitter: @coachhopkins987

Subscribe-Website: acoachsperspective.com

Subscribe-Apple iTunes Podcast: A Coach’s Perspective

Rodeo on the radio! In this episode (#169), we hosted Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) Announcer Kelly Kenny. We discussed his path to the announcing arena (and it is an interesting one!) and how he landed on the PRCA circuit. We also had a couple of Rodeo 101 segments to learn as much as we can about this thrilling sport! My thanks to my guest and to my co-host for the night Scott Hopkins (Happy Anniversary!).

Next week, we are going to host Springfield Police Department Chief Paul Williams and Missouri State University Men’s Basketball Coach Dana Ford about their new community program, “Bears, Badges and Kids.”

Wednesday nights, 6:00-7:00 pm on KWTO’s The Jock 98.7FM.

Like-Facebook: @CoachJeniHopkins

Follow-Twitter: @coachhopkins987

Subscribe-Website: acoachsperspective.com

Subscribe-Apple iTunes Podcast: A Coach’s Perspective

In tonight's episode, we dive into the topic of youth sports and what opportunities are available this summer. On our panel, we welcomed Sam Plummer from the Boys and Girls Club and Mark Nelson from the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department. Their valuable insights gave us hope that our youth will be able to have valuable experiences this summer with the proper restrictions. We also talked about their hope of having a solid combination of positive youth parents, positive youth coaches and positive youth officials to provide an exceptional experience for our young athletes. We appreciate all they do to give kids an opportunity to be active and compete.

Next week, buckle up y’all! We are going to the Rodeo! We will host Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association Announcer Kelly Kenny. We will find out what is going on this summer with the PRCA circuit and we will have a Rodeo 101 segment to learn as much as we can about this thrilling sport! Wednesday nights, 6:00-7:00 pm on KWTO’s The Jock 98.7FM.

Like-Facebook: @CoachJeniHopkins

Follow-Twitter: @coachhopkins987

Subscribe-Website: acoachsperspective.com

Subscribe-Apple iTunes Podcast: A Coach’s Perspective

In tonight's episode, we profiled Human Champion Tom Mast, and celebrated his broadcasting career and impressive community involvement. Through his broadcasting, he has brought so many stories to the community and does so with professionalism, class and humor. His community events propel our citizens to be engaged in several areas, and for that, we give gratitude for his efforts and contributions. This Hall of Famer has been a mentor to many and continues to be lifelong friends with many of his broadcast partners. My thanks to Jerry Jacob, Ned Reynolds, Art Hains, Corey Riggs, and Don West for calling in and giving messages and expressions of gratitude to Tom Mast. He is a “Tom-of-all-trades” and truly cares about his community. Thank you, Tom!