SportsXpress Austin Jan/Feb 2018

SportsXpress Austin @SportsXpressAus @SportsXpressAus

The Power of Team Inside CenTex Attack’s winning hoops program Plus... McCallum’s run to state, Signature Care Team of the Month, i9 Sports, and much more!

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publishers note Welcome to SportsXpress, a magazine all about local sports — the players, teams, families, volunteers, and fans. We publish real life stories on the full range of community sports and include all ages and skill levels. Every fan, parent, and sports enthusiast can participate by sharing their experiences with other fans.

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Remembering individuals who made significant contributions to our local sports community.

06 | Beloved coach dies after battle with cancer: Remembering Coach Andrew Jackson

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Profiling community sports in words and photographs.

14 | Signature Care Emergency Center Team of the Month: Hill Country Pop Warner

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Entertaining, informative and engaging articles on local athletes, sports and teams.

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New year, new beginning for parents, athletes Local horse training, rider faces tough battle away from stables Centex Attack: Select program helps young players “Elevate Their Game” on and off court Reliving McCallum football: Alumnus looks back, relishes record run through playoffs “The Way Sports Should Be”: For more than a decade, i9 Sports promotes sports with values

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Jan/Feb 2018 PUBLISHERS Derek Castillo Derek@SportsXpress.com 512-560-4286 EDITOR Jane Penteker GRAPHIC DESIGN Alyssa MacLeod alyssa@sportsxpress.com CONTRIBUTORS Ken Capps, Ian Clennan, JR Flores, Charlie Holden, Gregory James, MacJournalism, Janis Meredith, Madison Olsen, Bella Russo, Jason Smith, Shari Schmok, David Winter, Gerardo Mota, Brian Heffron, Pop Warner Little Scholars and the Austin SportsXpress team ACCOUNT Christopher Hart EXECUTIVES christopher@sportsxpress.com Larry Shaw larry@sportsxpress.com Anne Tiedt anne@sportsxpress.com Fort Wayne FRANCHISE Austin ZONES Rochester Syracuse Utica FRANCHISE Contact SportsXpress at: INQUIRY 1-800-577-7195 or email Franchise@SportsXpress.com

Our local show featuring highlights, fumbles and bumbles will debut in Spring 2018!

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New year, new beginning for parents, athletes

Article by Janis Meredith, photos

by SportsXpress Back in one-room schoolhouse days, children were given clean slate boards and fresh chalk to start the school year.

As we look to another year of school sports, may I suggest we wipe the slates clean? Parents, athletes, and coaches all deserve a chance to begin a new season free of biased baggage.

Give coaches a clean state As a sports parent, it is within your power to give your child’s coach a clean slate. In some cases, however, that may not be an easy task. Maybe you’ve heard rumors or observed a coach on the job and have already jumped to negative conclusions, labeling him a jerk or branding him as spineless. And what if your child has been coached by him before and the experience was not good? It’s very hard — I’ve been through this many times, I know! — to put the past behind you and give that coach a second chance.

brutally honest with yourself — you will have to work extra hard at pulling back and letting the coach do his job. Show your support by offering to help with driving or working the snack bar, and bite your tongue when you want to complain about playing time or coaching strategy. It’s hard, but sometimes clean slates just have to be earned.

your athlete thinks he or she should be playing.

“If I see consistency and coachability in a player, then I will do whatever I can to find a spot somewhere for that kid to play,” said Ted Meredith, football coach for 26 years and softball coach for nine. “Coaches notice hardworking kids with good attitudes, and often they reward those attitudes, no matter what they may have heard about the player coming in.”

Stacie Mahoe, owner of AllAboutFastpitch.com, lists five things you can do to impress your coach: be on time and ready; have a positive attitude; give your best effort; encourage and support others; and be respectful.

Sports is all about fresh starts. Each season, each game, each inning, each quarter, each match, each pitch — athletes are told by coaches to forget past mistakes and move on. Let’s all be generous in our forgetfulness this school year and wipe those slates clean.

Athletes can work to wipe slates clean No parent wants his or her child playing for a coach who has already formed a negative opinion about the child’s ability or attitude. Quite honestly, this could be a guessing game for your athlete because obviously, you nor your child can read the coach’s mind. If you feel your child is walking into a negative situation, whether it is deserved or not, what can he or she do?

Your child must work to get on the coach’s radar, be consistent at workouts and practices, be teachable by accepting and looking for ways to improve, and display a team-player attitude by playing the position the team needs, not the position

Janis Meredith, a coach’s wife for 25 years and sports parent for 16, lives in Palo Cedro, CA. She can be reached at jbmeredith@usa.com. Read more on her blog at jbmthinks.blogspot.com.

Parents must earn a clean slate

Looking for the perfect sports league or club for your young athlete?

As parents, we may never know, and certainly do not have control over, whether or not a coach gives us a clean slate at the beginning of a season, but as a coach’s wife, I know this much: If you have given a coach trouble in the past, word has probably spread among the coaches. If you suspect you have earned a negative reputation — and admitting this requires you to be

Visit our Directory at Austin.SportsXpress.com to get all the information you need to

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inmemoriam

Beloved coach dies after battle with cancer Remembering Coach Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson (1967-2017) Article by SportsXpress Andrew Jackson kept battling until the end. Despite cancer treatments and pain, Jackson kept coaching his LBJ Jaguars this season and even led them to the playoffs. But in early December, Jackson lost his battle with esophageal cancer. He was 50 years old.

“Coach Jackson’s legacy will live on in the lives of the young men he so

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positively mentored and loved,” said Joanne Jones.

Jackson was known for his strong religious faith and his positive outlook on life. He was also a successful coach.

His Jaguars were 39–20 during his five years as head coach and advanced to playoffs in four of those seasons.

Jackson also coached at Reagan for five years where he won 46 games. He led the Raiders to the Class 4A, Division

II state semifinals in 2001.

“Three words sum up the life of Andrew Jackson: Family, Football and Faith,” said Remone Durham. “A kinder and gentler being, one would be hard pressed to find. Coach Jack made a lasting impression on the countless lives he impacted, not only through football as a coach, but as a man of God.”

sportsfiles Community Spotlight:

Dripping Springs

Local horse trainer, rider faces tough battle away from stables Article by SportsXpress and photos by Shari Schmok @DrippingSpringsPhotography

About Copper Hill Copper Hill is Austin’s leading Hunter & Jumper training facility.

All boarders and riders make use of superior footing (indoor and outdoor), show-quality jumps, round pen workouts, and turnouts. Copper Hill has the only commercial Hunter & Jumping barn horse gym in Austin and offers first class travel in its 15-horse air-ride semi-hauler to and from shows. www.copperhill.ch (916) 236-8110

Anyone that knows Nicki Mathen, knows that she loves horses. Ever since she was a child, she cared for them, she trained them, and she rode them in competitions in the US and in Europe.

Just five years ago, Mathen finally opened her own facility, Copper Hill, near Dripping Springs. After decades of working for other stables, she would finally get to run her own facility and do things her way.

In the summer of 2016, life was near perfect. Mathen ran a successful business. She had great clients. She had a loving boyfriend. But in an instant, her outlook on life changed.

“I was in the stable talking with the girls when I noticed a lump near my collarbone,” said Mathen. “At first I thought it was a cyst, but a month went by and it became larger. At a competition in Kentucky, a friend of mine who was a doctor knew it was a swollen lymph node.”

When Mathen got back to Austin, she went to the doctor where her worst fears were confirmed. She had cancer.

Hodgkins lymphoma.

The chemotherapy was tough and intense. Luckily for Mathen, doctors used a new treatment strategy, and instead of 12 cycles of chemotherapy, she needed just two.

Weeks later, she was on the road competing at a show in California.

“I wasn’t going to miss that show. I had 11 stitches near my collarbone. It was painful, but once the swelling went down, I was fine. We did really well and finished 11th overall,” said Mathen.

Mathen’s cancer is in remission, but the entire experience has changed her outlook on life.

“I don’t let the small things bother me anymore,” said Mathen. “After cancer, I understood what was important to me.

It’s cliché, but you have to live every day to the fullest.”

“Nicki is a fighter in every sense of the word,” said Elizabeth Steinour, a rider at Copper Hill. “She works with a lot of young female riders. During her battle with cancer, she was so honest about her experience. She showed that weakness was okay. She also showed young women that cancer doesn’t have to ruin your world.”

Mathen is back working full-time at Copper Hill and doing what she loves.

“I love growing and bonding with the animals. I love reading their body language. They are my teammates. This is also such a great sport for young riders. It teaches them responsibility and perseverance.”

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sportsfiles

CenTex Attack

Article by SportsXpress, photos

by J.R. Flores & CenTex Attack Carmelo Lee is a globetrotter.

Not a “Harlem” Globetrotter, but a globetrotter, nonetheless. When your professional basketball career spans 15 years with stops in Europe, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Israel, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, you do rack up the frequent flier miles.

You also rack up tons of experience, and you learn how to play the game the right way. That’s the philosophy Lee brings to his role as CenTex Attack Director and Lead Trainer at the Premiere Athletic Complex (PAC) in Leander.

“We’re in it for the kids,” said Lee. “We want to help our players grow and help them achieve their basketball goals.”

CenTex Attack fields boys’ teams from 4th to 12th grade and girls’ teams

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Select program helps young players “Elevate Their Game” on and off court

from 3rd to 12th grade. All teams practice at the PAC, a state-of-the-art training facility with multiple basketball courts and more than 2,200 square feet of fitness training space.

“We have a place for players of all abilities. We start with building up a player’s basketball skills. When I was a player, I wasn’t an All-American. I was a blue-collar player, but I worked hard.

We teach our kids that if they work hard, they can be successful,” said Lee. Mark Hutcheson is a firm believer in the program. His son, Miles, has been a part of the CenTex Attack for four years.

“What I like most is the respect and the leadership that the coaches demand of the players,” said Hutcheson. “It’s about building character. At CenTex, they teach young people how to get through life.

Basketball is just a tool.”

“It’s been a great experience,” said Jason Dishough. His son, Trevor, is a 5th grader in the program. “What Carmelo and his staff are doing is building not only a quality program but a sense of family as well. My son loves it.”

CenTex Attack teams are divided into three levels. The Local teams play in the Central Texas area. The Regional squads compete in tournaments throughout the state. The National teams will travel throughout Texas and the U.S.

sportsfiles Each team is led by an experienced coach with playing and coaching experience at the professional, college, and high school level.

“We’re not a program that goes out and recruits elite players,” said Lee. “Our focus is on growth and hard work. Our program is built on four main tenets: self-discipline, concentration, hard work, and commitment.”

Lee and his staff are looking for serious-minded players. For more information, email carmelo@pac-tx.com, visit centexattack.com, or call (512) 810-1793.

CenTex Attack Tryout Dates Girls (3rd to 12th grade) January 14th: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Boys (3rd to 6th grade) January 20th: 4:30 p.m - 6:30 p.m.

February 11th: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Boys (7th to 8th grade) January 20th: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

February 11th: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Boys (9th to 12th grade) February 27th: 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

March 6th: 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Register now: www.pac-tx.com Registration Fee: $30 online, $40 at the door All tryouts held at PAC, 8220 183A Toll Road, Leander, TX

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sportsfiles Reliving McCallum football

Alumnus looks back, relishes record run through playoffs

Quarterback Max Perez scores against Calallen

Article by Ken Capps, Shield Staff Writer, Sports Editor (1974-78), photos by MacJournalism The McCallum Knights (14–1) finished a historic season with a state semi-final loss to College Station. The Knights secured the best season by an AISD school since the early ’70s.

Students and alumni rallied around the team and traveled in droves to see the squad play in San Antonio and Houston.

For one alumnus, Ken Capps, the team’s record run brought back great memories.

I covered the Knights football team for the Shield for the first time in the Fall of 1974.

At House Park.

Do not remember who we played.

But we lost.

There was a lot of that in 1974.

The Austin Independent School District had just gutted A.N. McCallum High School in 1972. The shiny new Anderson High School had just opened its doors on Mesa Drive.

Hundreds of students in the McCallum ‘feeder pattern’ were given the option of either sticking with attending Mac, or switching hallways and allegiances to go be a Trojan.

Many past classmates and my fellow freshman, we felt, had made the ultimate betrayal. That included most of our ‘star athletes,’ who were drawn to freshly-painted lockers and new uniforms like a miner is drawn to freshly-found gold.

Really, who could blame them?

So, if you want to know where the bitter rivalry was born fellow Mac Backers, the football season of 1974 is a good place to start.

Mac football was at an all-time low. A season for the ages — the dark ages.

The Knights endured a 2–8 season, the worst the program had EVER

Coach Charles Taylor addresses his team after semifinal loss

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endured since the school opened.

Anderson beat Mac that year 12–0.

It would have been much worse if the Trojans had not lost six fumbles and thrown two interceptions.

The last game of that dreadful season, the Reagan Raiders also dealt the Knights their worst loss in 22 years, a 53–6 defeat at Nelson Field.

Welcome to covering the Knights for the Shield and also The Knight yearbook!

Fast forward 43 years to August 2017.

The Knights open the season by thrashing Anderson 48–28 in the Taco Shack Bowl, in a game that was really not that close.

I was there again in House Park, this time as a spectator.

The old press box still brings back fond memories, despite covering some blow-out games of my beloved alma mater.

And from the stands this year, it was obvious there is something special about this Knight squad.

David Lundstedt, McCallum Class of 1978

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Kegan Aleman leads the charge out of the tunnel to begin the Knights’ 5A Division 2 semifinal game Speed. Uncanny execution. Ballhawking defense. A true spirit of TEAM. And yes, being on the right side of luck.

No team on any level goes 14–0 and advances to the state semifinals without most, if not all, of those ingredients.

I once wrote in The Shield in a later season that Mac Football is a ‘game of inches’ — thinking I was very prophetic.

As if nobody had ever written that before.

But it was true that season, and it was true this season as the Knights made it all the way to the State 5A Semi-Finals at NRG Stadium in Houston.

This bunch has brought so much pride and happiness to

Alex Julian with a big run against Calallen

thousands of alumni, former players, Blue Brigaders, band members, and yes, a few of us proud former staffers of macjournalism before it was known as macjournalism.

What a magical season. Keep enjoying every memory.

And remember, Once a Knight is NEVER enough.

Ken Capps, Class of 1978 ken@kencapps.com

Robert Gossard, Asher Smith and Noah Powell show their school spirit with body paint

For more photos from McCallum’s playoff run, visit austin. sportsxpress.com Mason Bryant hauls in a 46-yard Hail Mary in Knights playoff win over Alice

Rylie Jones and Henna McRae hold homemade signs in support of the Knights at NRG Stadium in Houston

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sportsfiles

“The Way Sports Should Be” For more than decade, i9 Sports promotes sports with values

Article by SportsXpress, photos by i9 Sports A recent study published in USA Today, revealed that 70 percent of kids stop playing sports after age 13. Why? Most kids surveyed say, it just wasn’t fun anymore.

“It wasn’t fun because of the immense pressure placed on them by coaches and parents,” said Austin i9 Sports Owner, Justin Cannon. “But here at i9 Sports, we have created a place where kids can compete and just have fun. Our goal is to put the fun back into youth sports.”

For more than a decade, i9 Sports

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has developed a sports league, camps, and clinics that promotes participation and competition in a relaxed, positive environment. Boys and girls ages three and up can participate in flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse. Games are held at local fields and courts throughout Travis and Williamson counties.

Cynthia Parker’s two sons have participated in many i9 Sports the past two years and her daughter will be playing flag football this year. She likes that all games are on weekends and that practices are held right before games.

“I asked my sons what they like about i9 and they both said, ‘the coaches,’”

said Parker. “I like that there is so much teaching and development. Oftentimes, coaches will stop games right after a play and discuss with the team what they could have done differently. You can really see the progression from the beginning of the season to the end.”

Parker also loves that i9 is flexible in building rosters and looks to place

sportsfiles friends and siblings together on the same teams.

Playing on weekends also means her family has more time for dinners and homework during the week.

“My husband travels during the week and because of the i9 schedule, he can be at every game,” said Parker.

“Sure, we keep score and there is competition.

We teach our kids how to win and how to lose. We also work with our parents and coaches to stress the positive aspects of sport and competition,” said Cannon. i9 Sports runs leagues year-round and can likely be found at a field or court near you. Registration for all sports is open now until February 19th. Visit www.i9Sports.com to register.

The i9 Sports Experience • All skill levels welcome: No tryouts. No drafts.

• Same day games/practices: Practices are held on the same day of games (usually in the hour preceding the game) • Weekend games: Leaving the weekday evenings for family time and homework • Sportsmanship: weekly medals for kids who show sportsmanship values and who incorporates them into team • Equal participation: Everyone gets same amount of playing time • Age appropriate: Teams are formed by age with natural progression as players get older • “When in Doubt Sit Out”: Concussion Safety Policy and education for parents and coaches • Trained Officials • No fundraisers

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teamprofiles Signature Care Emergency Center Team of the Month

Proudly Supported By:

Hill Country Pop Warner

Westlake, Trojans, Four Points and Dripping Springs Pop Warner played Rookie Tackle games in Orlando Article by SportsXpress, photos

by Pop Warner Little Scholars It was hard to pick just one team for the inaugural Signature Care Emergency Center Team of the Month, so we decided to pick an entire league! Hill Country Pop Warner enjoyed a stellar season. They introduced innovative programs on the field and off the field, they helped those in need.

In September, several of the league’s teams traveled to Port Arthur to play some of the Pop Warner teams in that area that were hit hard by recent

hurricanes. Hill Country teams also provided truck loads of school supplies for kids in need.

A few weeks later, Hill Country leadership made the drive to Columbus to deliver football equipment to other leagues that were ravaged by flood waters caused by the hurricanes.

Also, throughout the year, the league served as a pilot program for a new Rookie Tackle program.

Hill Country was one of a small number of organizations that tried out this program. The program

served as a bridge between flag football and 11-on-11 tackle. Parents loved the smaller field and increased instruction.

Then in December, the league was invited to the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Orlando to showcase the Rookie Tackle program.

For more photos of Hill Country PW in Orlando, visit austin. sportsxpress.com

Congrats to Hill Country Pop Warner — the Signature Care Emergency Center’s Team of the Month!

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Austin SportsXpress Supports Local Sports: Austin Juniors, Rouse Volleyball, Off The Wall Baseball, Regents, Dripping Springs, Cedar Ridge, Westlake, Lake Travis Football, St. Dominic Savio Swimming

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