Tale Lights Podcast

Mike Barnett grew up in Luling, TX., and coached in Luling for 31 years.  Coach Barnett coached his hometown cross country team to a UIL record, seven straight state chmapionships in cross country.  Join me as we learn a lot more about a man that did incredible things for the children of Luling!

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Jennifer Fox grew up in the Houston area and went to Cypress Creek High School.  Go Cougars!  Coach Fox then went on to play softball at UTSA, where a small burgeoning university program, was able to crack the Top 25 (at the time the first time in history).  Coach Fox went into public education and worked in Marble Falls and Spring Branch ISD, before taking her first head softball coaching job, leading the Boerne Greyhounds to a class 4A (now 5A equivalent) state title.  We talk about the Boerne Hall of Honor, and the inductions we were privileged to be a part of.  Coach Fox left Boerne after the 2008 season, and moved on to Northeast ISD to lead the Johnson Jaguars softball team in their inaugural season.  During her time at Johnson, she's coached the team to several district titles and playoff runs.  

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Mr. Dick has led the Friendswood Mighty Mustang Marching Band to ten consecutive UIL State Marching Band Contests, with seven appearances in the finals, and three runner-up finishes!  The list of awards and successes for bands led by Mr. Dick are far too numerous to place in this small box, but this is certainly going to be an incredible interview with a lot of great information for those listeners that have a distinct interest in music, and for the casual listener, as well.  Mr. Dick will discuss growing up on the Gulf Coast, attending college at SHSU, and teaching at Dickinson, Clear Creek ISD (where he was district teacher of the year in 2000), and Friendswood.

https://talelightspodcast.com/podcast-interviews

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If you've listened to the first two episodes of the Tale Lights Podcast, you know exactly what Coach Tommy Bludau and Coach Mike Williamson had to say about the importance of junior high football in terms of their successes.  I have maintained a great relationship with "Coach O" over the years.  He brought a level of passion and excitement to school (and athletics) that can only be found in a young coach.  While he no longer coaches, he is still teaching science.  From growing up in Brackettville, TX., to his time in San Angelo attending college, we take a fun (and in-depth) look at his time working with some of the kids that would go on to be one of Boerne's best groups ever on the football field, to stints in Fredericksburg, Lake Travis, Mc Collum (Harlandale ISD), Floresville, and Smithson Valley.  Boerne Middle School was full of great teachers and coaches growing up, and many of them have become lifelong friends of mine.  Coach O is certainly one that I've been very fortunate to stay in touch with.  And you already know we talked a little Spooky Science!  Talk about guts!

https://talelightspodcast.com/podcast-interviews

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Richard Herbst was born and raised in Boerne, Texas.  In his basketball coaching career, he amassed a record of 699-336  After a brief stint in Texas Public Education, Coach Herbst went on to coach men's and women's basketball at the collegiate level.  Coach Herbst was an assistant at Colorado State University, the head men's coach at Schreiner College (now Schreiner University) the head men's coach at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and returned to Schreiner as the athletic director and head women's basketball coach.  After several years at the collegiate level, Coach Herbst decided it was time to go home.  He accepted the girls basketball job in Boerne, where he would lead the Lady Hounds to a state-semifinals appearance.  We discuss all that, his time as head coach in Copperas Cove and Clark High School (San Antonio), and much much more! 

https://talelightspodcast.com/podcast-interviews

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Join me as we hop in the truck of current George West ISD Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Brent Kornegay.  We will be talking Devine, Llano, Orange Grove, Yoakum, and George West.  What it's like coaching in your hometown.  We talk about college at Texas Lutheran University, the importance of coaching junior high first, and some of the most fun we had was talking about the Yoakum-Cuero rivalry, and so much more.  Coach Kornegay is an outstanding athletic director and with over 115 wins as a head football coach in 17 seasons.

https://talelightspodcast.com/podcast-interviews

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Floyd Ciruti grew up in Baytown, Texas.  He went to college at Sam Houston State University, where he was an All-American Center Fielder. After his playing days were behind him, he continued his passion for the game of baseball by becoming the head baseball coach of the Wharton Tigers. Leading the Tigers to the State Tournament, more than 500 wins, and the playoffs more than 25 times in 33 years, Coach Ciruti was able to build a Hall of Fame coaching resume, while being a great husband and father at the same time. These days you can find Coach Ciruti on a fishing boat in Matagorda Bay.  If you mention the podcast when you contact Captain Ciruti, you'll be in line for a discount.  For more info, visit:

https://www.gofishmatagorda.com/

https://talelightspodcast.com/podcast-interviews

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Walt Wendtland grew up in Rosenberg, Texas, and went on to play baseball for Wharton County Junior College and Mississippi State, prior to taking a position as a teacher and coach in Bay City, Texas. Coach Wendtland went on to an administrative career that involved stops at Lamar Consolidated and Yoakum, prior to returning to Bay City and finishing his career as the principal of Bay City High School. These days you can find Coach Wendtland on a fishing boat in Matagorday Bay, or teeing off at the Rio Colorado Golf Course. If you mention that you listened to the episode, you'll be in line for a discount the next time you come down to Matagorda and use him as your fishing guide. For more info, visit: 

https://www.gofishmatagorda.com/

https://talelightspodcast.com/podcast-interviews

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In this episode I sit down with Boerne - Samuel V. Champion Head Baseball Coach, Chuck Foster. We start off in Pampa and head out to Odessa during his childhood, before moving on to the Houston suburb of Deer Park, San Jacinto College, Clemson University, and then a return home to coach all kinds of sports back at Deer Park. In 2002, Chuck Foster would make a big move into the head coaching world and take over the helm of the Boerne Greyhounds, where in 2004 they would capture the UIL Class 4A Championship. Join us for a great career retrospective that includes a lot of discussion of growing up in Houston during the 80s, a magical baseball journey, and continued success today as the Head Coach of The Champion Chargers. We dig deep into the weeds, discuss lots of former Boerne players, and forever memorialize a tremendous career in education. Want to know what it takes to be a great assistant? Woooo! Wait until we tell you about some of the great qualities of longtime assistant coach, John Uecker. So, put on your helmet and step up to the plate, because this episode of the Tale Lights Podcast is guaranteed to be great.

https://talelightspodcast.com/podcast-interviews

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