Where did you grow up?
● Jewell, IA
Schools attended?
● South Hamilton Community Schools – Graduated in 1972
● University of Arizona – 1 year
● Buena Vista University – 3 years – Bachelors degree in Education
● Drake University – Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy
Who is in your family?
● Wife – LuAnn
● Daughter – Kasey
● Daughter – Yana
● Son-in-law – Calvin
● Grandson – Beckett
● Grandson – Maddox
● Granddaughter – Nolan
Favorite hobby outside of teaching/coaching?
● Traveling with LuAnn
● Music
● Attending/watching baseball (Minnesota Twins), football (Miami Dolphins, IA Hawkeyes), basketball (IA Hawkeyes), college softball
● TV – movies, Chicago PD, SVU, American Idol, etc
How did you get into the sport? When did you start playing?
● Baseball was my favorite sport growing up
● Started coaching little league baseball and youth softball in early 70’s
● First coaching job – St. Mary’s, Storm Lake varsity baseball head coach
● Head girls softball coach – Garnavillo, IA – 13 years (fall and summer seasons)
● Head girls softball coach – Audubon, IA – 1 year
● Head girls softball coach – ADM, Adel – 11 years
● Volunteer softball coach – DCG – 1 year
● Head girls softball coach – DCG – 22 years
Favorite thing about coaching?
● Preparing players for life after school – coaching is so much more than wins/losses. It’s about experiencing success as well as failure and how to handle each in an adult way. Failure leads to success! Achievement at its highest level involves failure!
Favorite memory from coaching at DCG?
● Relationships with coaches and players – I’ve had the opportunity to interact with many players and coaches in my time at DCG and the times spent together on the field have brought memories for a lifetime. Watching players enter our program as an eighth grader and then following their journey through high school is a highlight. As a coach I get to observe first hand the building relationships between players and how that comradery leads to success both on and off the field.
Most rewarding part of being a teacher/coach at DCG?
● DCG has an outstanding school with great administrators, teachers, coaches, and support staff. The DCG community has great pride in their school and supports all programs in a stellar fashion. The support for our softball program has continued to grow in my coaching tenure for which I will be forever grateful.
Advice to a young player?
● You can be and achieve anything that you want with the understanding that you are willing to do what is necessary to make this happen. Nothing can stop you! Be the BEST version of yourself at all times – but remember, it’s up to you!
● Be KIND and CONSIDERATE to all of those around you. Love your teammates and coaches as family – it is always WE before ME!
● Have FUN, Always be HONEST, Give your BEST
● COMMITMENT is needed for SUCCESS – without it, true SUCCESS is impossible