Thanks for sharing everyone, very interesting to say the least, As a former athlete myself and still involved in athletics through my coaching and my boys, I feel athletics definately help build character. Personally, I played H.S. Baskteball (point guard) Football (Tailback/Strong Safety) and Baseball (centerfield, lead off hitter), was a first team all state tailback and center fielder my senior year and conference MVP in football. Placed in state in all three sports but never won a title. Lost the state title when I was a sophomore point gaurd in Basketball. I went on to a NAIA school in Montana to play college football. Had a nice college career as a fullback. Did some powerlifting competetions in College too. Went on to teach and was the head football coach for two different schools. Once I met my wife (she was a D-1 volleyball assistant at Missouri state but shes from Idaho and was a decorated D-1 volleyball player) we both decided to get out of coaching and start a family. Coaching as a head coach in H.S. and College D-1 coach just took up too much time.. Today we just teach at a JR. High and I coach JR High Basketball. I still coach football clinics in the summers for Boise State Univeristy if my buddy Jeff who coaches there needs me.
Started playing basketball in 5th grade, played on traveling teams (Wisconsin league 5-8th, and AAU 9-12th) 5th grade through senior year.Played varsity basketball from 9-12th grade. 6th man in 9th and 10th, and started 11th and 12th. Our whole starting line my freshman year were freshman (all of us who played together since 5th grade, the seniors were pissed, but we were a good team) Still play a pick up game with some real good ball players every monday/wednesday. I also played golf. I started in 5th grade, and also played through my senior year. In 7th grade I was invited to play with the varsity. From then on out I played varsity golf...which I really burnt myself out on. I now only play a few odd times during the summer, someday I want to get back into it again though.
I have known some very tough undersized centers over my football years! Great job on the state title! Something I always wanted to achieve as a h.s. athlete, never happened..
The extent of my baseball career was little league, quit baseball to run track. Ran track from jr high thru college. I was better than average(for div III), but fell short of making nationals. 400 H, 4x100, 4x400 & long jump were my main events. Dabbled in a lot of others, even 2 decathalons. I played a ton of semi-organized sports. Flag football in several different leagues. Lots of street & deck hockey Lived on the basketball courts every summer thru high school & college. & rented out gyms during winter. Was a gym rat from 18-32 years old. Now all I do is run. Going to do a half marathon in a couple months, time permitting I think it'd be cool to train for & run a full marathon before I am 40.
My wife thought the same thing. She is a shy person, and getting on stage at a figure comp was not her idea of fun. However, she always wanted to do a figure comp just to see what kind of shape she could get into. She did one a few years ago and it was a great experience. You should do a fitness comp...it might be fun. Or maybe a figure comp if you don't want to do a routine.
I would like to thank you, your wife, and all teachers really. You don't just teach, you are helping build the future of this country and I wish more people realized that. Not to take away from athletics and coaches but, if we glorified good teachers and good students as much as we glorify good coaches and good athletes, this country would have a lot less to worry about. Sorry for the hijack but you and your wife are not just teaching, you are building this country's future. Thanks very much.
I've played at least a couple years on every sport my School had to offer... but Wrestling was always my sport...and I wrestled for a lot of years. Was a KS state champ a couple times. But had a couple injuries in highschool (torn ACL & damaged bone in my toe) that took me out of it. I played through both injuries during the football season, but couldn't really play like I wanted to with the pain. Had ACL replacement surgery after the football season was over, and decided I shouldn't play HS sports anymore. At the time though, I honestly can say I didn't might too much as I turned even moreso to bowhunting and enjoyed it even more. Of any sport, Wrestling has always been the most dominant for our town. As a team we almost always finish in the top 4 in state, in 4A. And have 3-4 team state championships in the last 10 years. Just a real good wrestling program here...
I played football, soccer, baseball and basketball in little league only to drop the first three to concentrate on basketball in high school. Played 4 years of Varsity for a tiny high school in Virginia and made all district and region a couple times and all state once. Then, after high school, the ball bounced my way a few times and I was able to make the team at UVA and play a year of ACC basketball. Now, reduced to men's league and charity league with the "1 pass and shoot" rule :D
Bruce thank you, and as you highlighted "i just teach" I apologize, I sure didnt mean to imply that "teaching" wasnt important, as a matter of fact, the teaching I do means the most to my wife and I in regards to our careers, we both gave up more $ and higher profile careers as coaches to focus on our family and our students. I pour everything I have into my teaching and my students and I truely love going to work everyday.
Thats awesome Joey, those are some impressive accomplishments, lets say you wouldnt have gotten injured, were you planning on wrestling in college.. ?
I can promise I have witnessed first hand Ryans running abilities in an extreme way.. Trying to cut off a herd of 40 elk! Race to the pond! Great memories!
Well I have alot of regrets here I played baseball from t-ball all the way through senior league and loved it. I was pretty much short stop or third most of the way, as my arm was good and the bat was not bad either. High school came, I signed up for baseball until I found out we were required to get our hair cut above our ears I quit because hey that was not cool at the time I regrete every minute of it. I did Football briefly in middle school until I figured out I hated staying after school,,,I hated school back then. The only thing I stuck with during high school was weight training,,I absolutly loved it and it was during school so I didnt have to stay longer I did continue playing back yard football and loved every minute of it to. I broke three bones during that time, my nose, and an arm twice. I liked playing hard but we had no protective equipment I didnt do college, like I said I hated school back then. Was Keg tapping a sport? :D I also wanted to wrestle but didnt want to show off my package in one of those singlets :D
Troy, you and I have some similiarities. My wife walked on to the basketball team in college at a D-1 level. She made the team and even though she did not play much, she was voted team captain even though she was not on scholarship. She has been coaching high school basketball for 10 years, 7 years of which have been as a head coach. In fact, her first regional playoff game is tonight. Who would have thought....I was the jock all into sports 10 years ago, now I am the "coaches wife" so to speak as my wife coaches a very succesful high school girls basketball team. My wife has the internal fire that is just all consuming...SHE scares me! I coached high school football for 3 years but decided it just wasn't something I wanted to pursue due to having my second child....and I became addicted to bowhunting.
I doubt it. I started to lose my passion for HS Sports. I'm not sure if it was because I was getting burned out or that I loved bowhunting so much... probably a little of both. Things started to change in HS. I had my own business so I could work at my own hours everyday, and I had more access to great hunting locations. My passion for bowhunting grew bigger than sports. There wasn't anything I'd rather do than bowhunt for deer. When I was at sports practice I just kept thinking about that big buck I saw last weekend and how I wished I was hunting him right now. So even though injuries forced me out of sports, I was ready to be out.
Good luck to your wife's team! Being a H.S. head coach these days is a lot more than just the coaching part. Parents, Politics and the pay is never great compared to the countless year around hours spent running a program! One of the major reasons I got out of it as well was that it really cut into my archery seasons. Coaching football and hunting really didnt mix. I know what you mean by being the coaches husband, I am fine with that roll as well. My wife has been offered several college jobs let alone H.S. head jobs over the past 10 years...She was even offered the head job at her Alma Mater the University of Idaho, but she and I do not want to relocate and she does not want the head coaching time investment. She is really happy with her roll as the varsity assistant here at Post Falls High School that she just accepted. We are finally at the point were our sons are old enough to take care of themselves in a gym while we coach. I have a feeling I will coach more football as my boys go through but no more full time head jobs. I need to stop coaching basketball, its cutting into my shed hunting time. I try to quit but just cant say no to the kids. Jr high season is a piece of cake though compared to what the varsity H.S. coaches like your wife puts in.
Went to Jefferson High School in Bloomington, MN, graduated in 1996, and Miami University in Ohio, 2000. Thanks! We had some phenominal players on the team. Actually beat the 17-year reigning champs, a huge feat at the time!
I went back and forth. Was training for it and was in the physical shape, but just could not wrap my head around the plastic heels and walking around up there in basically nothing. I'm not shy, but that pushed the limit for me. There is a woman at my gym training for one now, makes me want to go for it - but wow, talk about intense training/diet and life-style change. I was so sick of grilled chicken, broccoli and green beans!!! Good for her and congrats! I can imagine it feels pretty good inside to know that she challenged herself and did it! Successfully, at that!
Haha! My wife rarely wears heels so she had to "practice" around the house. She walked around in those things all the time to get used to them. She was nervous about wearing next to nothing, but once the adrenaline got going, she was fine. She took first in all four divisions she entered. She was just hoping to be in the top half so she was pretty excited.
