A Coach's Perspective

Tonight’s episode was a tribute to Hall of Famer Earl Austin Jr.s book series, You Might Need a Jacket, profiling short stories of crazy antics that occur in the stands during youth sporting events. Earl has covered high school sports for over 30 years in the St. Louis area and has heard and seen a lot of crazy behavior! This is a perfect fit into our Youth Sports series, as parents we have to be mindful of the experience we are providing our youth, and be mindful of the reputation and role modeling that evolves through that time in our lives. Little eyes are always on you!

My thanks to my youth athletes and their dads, who read some story’s from Earl’s book. These crazy stories coming to you from a child’s voice puts it into perspective and amplifies the ridiculous actions of “adults” at youth sporting events. My readers, Carter Riggs (Dad-Corey Riggs) and Brooklyn Friebe (Dad-Shane Friebe) did a tremendous job! They may be the next generation of sportscasters!

In this episode we had a panel of youth sports organizations represented by Sam Plummer of the Boys and Girls Club and Colin Barnett from the YMCA. We discussed the mission of these organizations and the opportunities they provide for our youth. We also covered the training of youth coaches and expectations. Then, the big question, what is the role of a parent in youth sports? We discussed advice for parents and how to keep things in perspective for the sake of all involved. My guests did an excellent job expressing the desire to keep the focus on the kids and their experience and hope that coaches, officials and parents will positively partner with them in this mission.

Our studio was full with Sports Dads on this episode! We talked about how to be a productive, supportive, and positive sports parent. Great advice and valued perspectives from our dads! My thanks to my co-host, Tommy Burnett (my dad)-always enjoy his stories! We also had Springfield Cardinals Manager Joe Kruzel and enjoyed listening to his advice as a dad and what his take is on the Springfield Cardinals organization and how he plans to advance it. Also, in studio the amazing dad of four, Ed Cleeton, the wonderful dad and coach of his sons, Ryan Schafittzel, and the fantastic father of my children, Scott Hopkins. We also congratulated my daughter Hailey Jo on her college graduation and wished her Bon Voyage as she takes off to explore Europe for a year!

My thanks to our St. Louis Cardinals correspondent Don Louzader and his review on the redbirds and thank you to Ethan Bryan for our update on the Kansas City Royals. We also caught up with Major League Baseball Player Lucas Harrell . His player perspective is always appreciated. We also did a couple of Baseball 101 segments for those who need to brush up on the MLB basics. Home run!

On this episode, we explore the challenges that incoming freshmen athletes have when they transition from high school to college. athletics. Our college coaches panel advised athletes how to best prepare for that first year of collegiate competition. My thanks to Evangel Head Football Coach Chuck Hepola, Southwest Baptist University Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kelsey Keizer, and Missouri State University assistant Soccer Coach Jack Roberts for their valuable input.

(Part 1 of 2) The 3rd Annual A Coach’s Perspective Trivia Throw-down Showdown did not disappoint! The teams were competitive and it was touch and go for awhile….but the CHAMPIONS this year (by one point)…..(insert drum roll)….Art Hains and Don Louzader! Congratulations to the CHAMPS! (Cue the Bill Conti music-if you listened, you will get that!). Placing 2nd this year (again, by one point) Corey Riggs and Shane Friebe! Going home 3rd and with beautiful participation ribbons, our new team, Tom Ladd and Carly Deer Stubblefield!

My thanks to the tap dancing producer of our show, Duane Darr and our official for the evening, Big 10 referee, Dr. Ron Snodgrass. Also, gratitude goes to JoBelle Hopper for cooking the meal! Thank you to the listeners that sent in questions and Coach Bill Rowe for calling in with some of his own. Start gathering more now and we will put them in next year!

Our Sports Moms Panel did a fantastic job of expressing the importance of our youth being active and all of the rewards that come along with that involvement. They also provided some valuable advice for our youth coaches and youth parents. My appreciation to my co-host, JoBelle Hopper (my mom), Beverly Ramsey, Jill Widel, and Dawn Hale. Happy Mother’s Day!

In this episode we were joining by Springfield Cardinals General Manager Dan Reiter as he shared their new business model, events coming up, and how the team is expected to do this season in their league. Visit their website for more information! https://www.milb.com/springfield/

We also spoke with Christina Ford on her journey to assist women and children in the fight against domestic violence. Her and her husband, Dana Ford, have developed a foundation that provides housing and resources for those in need. This is an incredible journey, please check out their website at www.thereboundfound.org and get involved! Stay tuned for the next Rebound Challenge!

In this week’s episode we caught up with Mr. and Miss ShowMe Basketball. Isiaiah Mosley, future Missouri State Bear, and Haley Frank, future Missouri Tiger, and they shared with us what their future holds and how grateful they were for their high school success. We also heard from Columbia Rock Bridge Coach Jill Nagel on her induction into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

We also had the knowledgeable umpire Shane Friebe on to go over the new baseball rules at the college and professional level. THEN we had our resident St. Louis Cardinals guru, Don Louzader, and our resident Kansas City Royals guru, Ethan Bryan, here to talk about their teams and the expectations for them this season. They also touched on key elements and possible challenges for their teams this season.

On April 13, the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) inducted their Class of 2019! For a full list of inductees and their bios, please visit www.mobca.org. We caught up with a few of them and put those interviews together for you on this episode. Hear what Don West, Steve Frank, Kevin Cheek, Jill Nagel, Dennis Cornish, and Scott Womack had to say about their careers, the induction, and advice to younger coaches.

We also caught up with the MBCA Vice President and National Basketball Coaches Association President (that’s right!) Chris Nimmo about the Division I Showcases that the MBCA and the Missouri High School Activities Association are partnering together to put on this summer.