Fall Sports ’11 Supplement to the Post Review - September 2011
North Branch & Rush City
Introducing new North Branch and Rush City fall sports head coaches Hayley Lang and Paul Kirby... North Branch volleyball coach Hayley Lang 1. What experiences do you have as a coach? “I have been coaching for several years at all different levels, schools and sports. In North Branch I coached the B squad team for volleyball until this year, and have been the assistant varsity fastpitch coach for four years.” 2. What experiences did you have as an athlete? “In high school I was a three sport athlete. Volleyball, basketball and fastpitch. I attended Willmar Public schools and also went back to teach and coach there for a few years. Both volleyball and fastpitch.” 3. What are your priorities and philosophy as a coach and why do you coach? “My priority as a coach is academics first. Our athletes play sports to further their education, and to learn how to get as much as they can out of life. My priorities include giving every athlete a fair chance to play. Practice is all about opportunities and increasing the expectations on a daily basis. My philosophy for coaching is to put the six most prepared players on the court at a time. It includes having fun, creating an intense and challenging practice schedule and teaching our athletes how to be better than they were yesterday. Our athletes have excelled in getting better everyday, and are committed to attaining their goals. I coach for the student/athletes, I try to give them all of the knowledge I have about volleyball skills and to teach excellence along the way.”
4. Did you have a mentor, relative or coach that influenced you? “I have many influences in my life. Most of them are family members and a former teacher who taught me more about life than sports. I was heavily influenced by Mr. and Mrs. Heitzman in high school. They were both teachers and coaches who pushed me hard in the offseason, and instilled a sense of leadership. Mr. Hovland and Mrs. Lenzmeier were heavy influences on my career.” 5. What is your best memory as a coach? It would have to be the 2010 post volleyball season. Our athletes played so well as a team together. We lost in the section finals, but are able to set set high goals for this season, and to continue to raise the expectations.”
Rush City football coach Paul Kirby 1. What experiences do you have as a coach? “I have been an assistant football coach with Rush City for eight years and was offensive coordinator for the last three. I also coach seventh grade boys basketball. Prior to Rush City, I was one of two coaches for the Women’s Club Hockey team at Bemidji State University.” 2. What experiences did you have as an athlete? “I graduated from Warroad High School where I played fullback and defensive end. The team was Section 8 football champions and State participants in 1992. I also played basketball and baseball in high school. After high school, I joined the Marine Corps and continued to play football and soccer.” 3. What are your priorities and philosophy as a coach and why do you coach? “To me, high school athletics is so much more than just wins and losses. Sports can teach commitment, discipline, tenacity, humility, and the list goes on. At the very basic level, football is still a game to be played for fun and enjoyment. The other outcomes during the season will hopefully build young men into better citizens, students, sons and someday, fathers, husbands and maybe even coaches themselves.” 4. Did you have a mentor, relative or coach that influenced you? “As a player, I was fortunate to play for coaches like Steve Bengston and Warren Keller. Hard work and dependable effort from their athletes were noticed and rewarded by both men. Now as a teacher and a coach, I have personally grown while getting to work with and learn from Greg Hills. He always valued my opinion and was willing to teach and trust. He truly cared about each one of us on his staff as well as every player that ever played for him.”
5. What is your best memory as a coach? “Having taught in Rush City for 10 years and coached eight of those years, I have been fortunate to follow many athletes into their adult lives. When alumni return after their worldly travels and still seek me out and still call me “Coach,” I know I’ve made a difference.” 6. Is there anything you would like to add? “We will strive to be a field competitive football team. We will work hard to make the people of Rush City proud of the effort and attitude of the Rush City Football squad with “No Excuses and No Explanations.”
Rush City
North Branch
Cross Country...... page 6 Football............... page 8 Volleyball............. page 8
Soccer................ page 2 Cross Country...... page 3 Football............... page 4 Volleyball............. page 5 Tennis................. page 5
Victoria Dahlin - North Branch and Rush City Sports Shelley Schmidt - Design/Layout
Sport Schedules found on page 7