Texas Coach - October 2022 - Volume LXVII Issue No. 2

TEXAS COACH - (ISSN 0040-4241) - Copyright 2022 Texas High School Coaches’ Association, Inc.

PUBLISHER

TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL COACHES ASSOCIATION, INC.

PUBLISHING/EDITORIAL OFFICES: 2553 N INTERSTATE 35 FRONTAGE RD SAN MARCOS, TX 78666-5924 web: www.thsca.com

Subscriptions: Annual subscription to TEXAS COACH for members of the Texas High School Coaches Association is $20.00, which is included in the $70.00 membership dues. For non-members: one-year subscription price is $30.00; two-year subscription price is $50.00; Foreign: one-year subscription price is $50.00. Single copies are $5.00 per current volume. TEXAS COACH is published monthly except in June, July, and August and is dated the first of the publication month, although it is mailed around the 10th of the publication month.

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TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL COACHES ASSOCIATION 2553 N INTERSTATE 35 FRONTAGE RD SAN MARCOS, TX 78666-5924

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JOE MARTIN joemartin@thsca.com

ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

GLEN WEST glenwest@thsca.com

Chief Operating Officer of THSCA BRIAN POLK brianpolk@thsca.com

Chief Operating Officer of THSCEF LIBBY PACHECO libbypacheco@thsca.com

Director of Publications & Technology BECKY ADAMS beckyadams@thsca.com

Director of Administration MARGARET BEYER margaretbeyer@thsca.com

Director of Social Media KAYCI COHEN kaycicohen@thsca.com

Director of Exhibits & Awards MOLLY FLY mollyfly@thsca.com

Director of Membership ALLIE HERRMANN allieherrmann@thsca.com

SHERYL HONEYCUTT sherylhoneycutt@thsca.com

Director of Finance & Accounting GORDON MACKEY gordonmackey@thsca.com

Director of Hotels & Office Management CHELSEA MILLER chelseamiller@thsca.com

Director of Public Relations & Activation TYLER WATTS tylerwatts@thsca.com

thsca

matt lovorn region 1 - Stratford

adam cummings region 1 - west plains

john king Past-Pres - Longview

kendall miller Pres-elect - emerson

Lee Wiginton

carlos

mark

richard

jon

james

jason

fred

lance

ATHLETIC DIRECTORS

R-1 Chris Koetting, Canadian

R-2 Russell Lucas, Sweetwater

R-3 Seth Stinton, Melissa

R-4 Rusty Purser, Greenwood

R-5 *John Snelson, Dickinson

R-6 Don Drake, Ennis

R-7 Rob Davies, Harlingen

R-8 Stan Laing, Northside

AQUATICS

R-1 *Trey Hayes, Lubbock

R-2 Casey Pacheco, Abl. Wylie

R-3 Eric Vogan, Texas High R-4 Michael Waldmann, Andrews

R-5 Robert Kelly, Sam Rayburn

R-6 Daniel Gonzalez, Longview

R-7 Hector Castaneda, Harl. South R-8 Kristin Libardoni, Northside

BASEBALL

R-1 Thomas Brockman, Idalou

R-2 Allen McGee, Graham

R-3 Josh Wheeler, Muenster

R-4 Juan Orozco, EP Coronado

R-5 Corey Cephus, Cy-Ranch

R-6 Matthew Anderson, Franklin R-7 Eric Martinez, Mathis

R-8 Tom Alfieri, SA Churchill At-Large *Chans Chapman, SA Reagan

BOYS BASKETBALL

R-1 Jason Pillion, Amarillo

R-2 *C.J. Villegas, San Angelo Central R-3 Ty Tabor, Krum

R-4 Jason Archibald, Wink

R-5 Danny Russell, Katy R-6 Jake Russ, Franklin R-7 Sean Armstrong, G. Portland R-8 Brad Lacey, SA Churchill At-Large Richard Flores, Cy-Falls

GIRLS BASKETBALL

R-1 Tyler Helms, Idalou

R-2 *Kenni Patton, Electra R-3 Donna McCullough, Sachse

R-4 Steve Lee, Pebble Hills

R-5 Christina Jamerson, Dulles R-6 Amber Wiley, Tyler R-7 Clarissa Arredondo, McAllen Mem. R-8 Christina Camacho, Judson At-Large Brooke Brittain, Mansfield

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

R-1 Jay McCook, Canadian

R-2 Glenn Griffin, Holliday R-3 Calley Conner, Wylie R-4 Alonzo Samaniego, Presidio R-5 Kenneth Decuir, Paetow R-6 *Josh Sypert, Eustace R-7 Efrain Ambriz, Harlingen R-8 Kelly Thompson, Leander Rouse At-Large Scott Hippensteel, Lockhart

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

R-1 Ray Baca, Canyon

R-2 Loy Triana, Burkburnet

R-3 Susan Bailey, Highland Park

R-4 Corina Marruto, Del Valle

R-5 Jim Darcey, Katy

R-6 Edward DeLaCruz, Waxahachie

R-7 Michael Villareal, Zapata

R-8 *Callie Cameron, Lake Belton

FOOTBALL

R-1 Lyle Leong, Levelland

R-2 Sterling Doty, Stephenville

R-3 *Joe Castillo, Little Elm

R-4 A.J. Famaligi, EP Montwood

R-5 Rick Lafavers, Ridge Point

R-6 Keylon Kincade, Winona

R-7 Brent Davis, G. Portland

R-8 Alan Haire, Chaparrall At-Large Clint Fuller, Kilgore

BOYS GOLF

R-1 Cord Wilburn, Lub. Cooper R-2 Jason Hodges, Stephenville R-3 Charlie Means, Denison R-4 Paul Bustamante, Pebble Hills R-5 Clayton Brady, Hous. Memorial R-6 Brant Bennett, Midlothian Heritage R-7 Celso Gonzalez, McAllen Mem. R-8 *Mike Martin, SA Johnson At-Large Paige Martin, Southlake

GIRLS GOLF

R-1 Cathy Palmer, Lubbock R-2 OPEN

R-3 Kerry Gabel, FM Marcus R-4 Shawn Trousdale, Ysletta R-5 *Angela Chancellor, Kingwood R-6 Joel Davenport, Ennis R-7 Jennifer Ruiz, McAllen R-8 Patrick Pruitt, Westlake At-Large Brent McCuiston, Alamo Heights

BOYS SOCCER

R-1 Hugo Aguillon, West Plains R-2 Justin Rhodes, Stephenville R-3 Pablo Regalado, Kemp R-4 Chris Bryant, Midland Legacy R-5 Ben Powell, Bellville R-6 *Cashan Clark, Midlothian Heritage R-7 OPEN R-8 David Rogers, SA Lee At-Large Jason Meekins, Katy Jordan

GIRLS SOCCER

R-1 Alistair Caldwell, Lub. Coronado R-2 Carl Wiersema, WF Rider R-3 Kelly Thompson, Allen R-4 *Cecilia Kellar, Odessa R-5 Evelyn Torres, Ridge Point R-6 Gerald Slovacek, Midlo. Heritage R-7 Juan Luna, Los Fresnos R-8 Bailee Perrine, Dripping Springs At-Large Aaron McGough, Highland Park

SOFTBALL

R-1 Styler Haddock, Canyon R-2 Cynthia Herrera, Stamford R-3 *Kathy Schoettle, Allen R-4 Lindsie Swarb, Monahans

R-5 Katie Roberts, Brenham

R-6 Same Weeks, Troup

R-7 Audra Troutman, Sinton

R-8 Jennifer Fox, Alamo Heights

TENNIS

R-1 *David Denham, Lub. Corondao

R-2 Mark Hathorn, Abil. Wylie

R-3 Carrie Castleberry, Vernon

R-4 Sylvia Sims, Frisco Heritage

R-5 Daniel Marshall, A&M Consol.

R-6 Keith Howard, Ennis

R-7 Jeff Davidson, CC Vet. Mem.

R-8 Tyson Stewart, Harlan

At-Large Teri Saunders, Pf. Hendrickson

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

R-1 Jon Murphy, Stratford

R-2 Andy Howard, Brownwood

R-3 Janson Head, Denton Ryan

R-4 Brien Burchett, Greenwood

R-5 Jason Haddock, Clements

R-6 Josh Rankin, Longview

R-7 Bob Bechtold, McAllen

R-8 Keith Randle, SA Johnson

At-Large *Will McCrary, Rockwall

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

R-1 Crista Jones, Lub. Monterey

R-2 Jeremiah Butchee, Stephenville

R-3 Ashley Broom, Sunnyvale

R-4 Robert Ontiveroz, Monahans

R-5 David Pollack, Seven Lakes

R-6 Angela Moon, Tyler

R-7 Stacy Zamzow, Goliad

R-8 *Karmen Sanders, RR McNeil

VOLLEYBALL

R-1 Kelly Lozada, Lubbock Monterey

R-2 Shay Douglas, Stephenville

R-3 Jennifer Chandler, Northwest

R-4 Heather Archibald, Wink

R-5 Pamela McRae, Cypress Park

R-6 Arden Johnson, Troup

R-7 Jess Odem, Goliad

R-8 *Rachel Torvik, SA Reagan

At-Large Jacob Thompson, Leander Rouse

BOYS WRESTLING

R-1 Mark Snow, Lub. Coronado

R-2 OPEN

R-3 *Kyle Stevens, Anna

R-4 Oscar Norez, EP Montwood

R-5 Vinnie Lowe, Katy

R-6 Collin Stroner, Midlothian Heritage

R-7 OPEN

R-8 Kevin Smith, Lake Travis

GIRLS WRESTLING

R-1 Tyler Frausto, Canyon

R-2 OPEN

R-3 *Jessica Fresh, Northwest

R-4 Stephen Scott, EP Franklin

R-5 OPEN

R-6 OPEN

R-7 OPEN

R-8 Garvin Smith, San Marcos

FROM THE PRESIDENT

October 2022

It seems like we were leaving Coaching School just yesterday and now we’re already halfway through the fall semester. It always amazes me, when I visit with coaches from across the state, at how many things our coaches juggle on a daily basis and still manage to keep relationships the top priority. Football, Volleyball, Team Tennis and Cross Country are all well into their district schedule with district certification less than a month away. Good luck to all fall sport coaches as you compete to earn your way into the playoffs and to win gold balls! So many young athletes, and coaches for that matter, have grown up dreaming about winning a State Championship. That dream will become a reality for some of you in the very near future. I hope you enjoy the journey even more than the dream of the championship.

It’s also hard to believe that Basketball will begin practicing and preparing for scrimmages in a few weeks. Basketball coaches, please remember to participate in “Our Day to Shine” for your first home scrimmage. With that being said, THANK YOU to all the teams, coaches, schools and fans that participated in “Our Day to Shine” this fall. I want to remind everyone that funds raised through these events go directly to our coaches and players who endure hardship or tragedy. Many have been grateful recipients of the proceeds from this program and we want to continue to build that program for future needs.

You’ll notice a legislative update from Dr. Culwell on page 34. Coach Martin and Coach West do such a tremendous job of keeping us informed of dates that we need to be aware of and what role we must play to continue to protect athletics as we know it in Texas public schools. I beg all of you to act when called upon to vote in support of public education.

THSCA along with TASO and UIL are launching a really exciting initiative. They will be asking each sport to host an official’s appreciation game to honor our Texas Sports’ Officials. You can find information and links to a Game Toolkit on page 55.

You are all aware of the THSCA Academic All-State teams that are named throughout the year. This is such an awesome way to bring recognition to athletes who do a great job of balancing athletics and academics. Coaches, please check the THSCA calendar for the nomination deadline in your respective sport. Volleyball, Water Polo and Cross Country must be submitted by November 1, 2022. Please take advantage of this opportunity to highlight these deserving athletes and your athletic program.

Two more new opportunities to celebrate your athletes and your program are the Super Elite Team and our Coach of the Year awards. Nominations for both of these start this month. Be on the lookout for emails and updates on the THSCA website for the nomination window for your sport. Please flip over to page 52 for more information.

Thank you to all of you who participated, or are participating, in our collaboration with the College Football Playoff Foundation recognizing the Extra Yard for Teachers. All these things you do to bring recognition to others serve as examples to our athletes, our communities, and our nation on how to focus more on others than ourselves.

I wish you all continued success and truly hope you appreciate and utilize the gift you have been given to shape the lives of those around you. Never lose sight of the magnitude of what you mean to these young people! I hope you win ‘em all, unless you are playing Allen!

Lee Wiginton THSCA President

¨ Features only high school coaches as speakers.

¨ 18 Lectures will be given by top high school football coaches from Texas

¨ A discount to B Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World will be given to each coach at the clinic. (Good only on selected items and only for the duration of the clinic.)

¨ Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World will provide hunting and fishing equipment as door prizes.

¨ The Embassy Suites Hotel is located adjacent to Bass Pro Shops and in close proximity to Grapevine Mills Mall and the Toyota Music Factory.

¨ FCA Lecture on Saturday.

¨ A clinic t-shirt for the first 700 coaches in attendance. (Sponsored by The Performance Course)

¨ Cash and Bass Pro Shops gear given away after each lecture on Sunday.

¨ $1000 Cash door prize after the last lecture on Sunday.

¨ “Texas Hold-Em” Tournament on Friday night

¨ 50 minute lectures and 45 minute breakout sessions.

¨ Job Board available.

Largest High School Only Football Clinic in Texas!

Clinic Headquarters:

¨

E Embassy Suites Outdoor World at D/FW Airport, 2401 Bass Pro Drive, Grapevine, TX 76051

¨ Phone (972) 724 2600 or (800) EMBASSY

¨ To receive the special room rate of $159, make your reservation by January 4 and state you are attending the DFW Coaches Clinic. Embassy Suites Hotel provides a complimentary cooked to order breakfast and happy hour each day to every coach staying at the hotel. Each room comfortably sleeps four.

Coaches Clinic

¨ $ $80 registration fee if mailed in by January 20 ($90 after January 20, no refunds after this date)

¨ To pre register, please send the registration form and a check payable to: D DFW Coaches Clinic 30801 Beck Road Bulverd e, Texas 78163

¨ Check our website for clinic updates or to register. www.coachesclinic.net

¨ E mail coachesclinic@yahoo.com

¨ Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @dfwclinic

The Largest High School only Football Clinic in TEXAS!

FOUR BECOME

Four outstanding organizations, transformed into one powerhouse. And while our name may have changed, everything you count on - great service, uniforms, and gear remain.

YOUR GAME IS ALWAYS GAME ONE

COACH BARRY BRINKLEY

Barry Brinkley reached the end of his race May 24, 2022. He was born to wonderful parents in Elk City, Oklahoma. Barry Brinkley ended up in Carrizo Springs where he became a decorated football player. He was all district six times, three on offense, three on defense, and second team all-state. He continued his playing career at Texas Lutheran College on a full ride. But this is just the start of his story.

Coach Brinkley gave 33 years of his life to a profession that is the best in the world. His coaching stops included Carrizo Springs HS, Laredo LBJ HS, and Kyle Lehman HS. He had many accomplishments on the field with numerous district championships in football, basketball and track. He had countless athletes with all district nominations and had other athletes gain all-state and academic all-state honors. He had the privilege to coach kids to state in track and powerlifting with one of his athletes gaining a state championship in discus. His most recent state championships were with Lehman’s powerlifting teams, setting history as the first school to win a Boys and Girls state championship in the same year (2021). With the Girls powerlifting team repeating state champs in 2022.

Over his years of coaching, Coach Brinkley taught and coached at least over 12,000 generations of men and women. My father has turned down many jobs at great places to remain in the hard places. Hard as in, every win is going to be of quality. Hard as in, you are more than a coach to many of the athletes. You are a father figure for many athletes living in fatherless households. Hard as in, you clothe and feed not only your players mind but also their body. Many athletes look forward to going to school because that is where their next meal is coming from. Hard place because a teacher and coach may be the most successful person that a student athlete knows or even more so the only positive role model in their life. I remember countless times athletes hugging my father and telling him that he was more of a father than their biological one or thanking him for being like a father to them because theirs was absent.

Although he didn’t have many playoff victories or players go on to play at the next level, he had many other victories. Victories, although they don’t show up on paper, speak more volumes. I wanted to acknowledge this, because this profession is much more than about how many victories, championships, and physically talented players you have coached. Does this make my father’s impact any less than coaches with more positives in the winning category? No, because he had many victories in truly molding young men and women in having great moral character. Another stat you might not see is the amount of men and women that wouldn’t have graduated high school and became successful in their careers if it wasn’t for the life lessons he taught them.

They say every man is fallible. But he is one of the few men that I have met that had true high moral character. His favorite saying was “if you are going to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.” I’ve seen him make hard decisions look easy because he truly believed in doing the right thing. Hypocrisy was something I learned through my friends, and other people, but not through my father. I’ve had the biggest privilege to be raised by the most honest and humble man I have ever known. Coach Brinkley’s reach was vast and immeasurable. “I’ll never stop fighting”.- Coach Brinkley - I love you dad! - Benjamin Brinkley

COACH BOBBY DALE PESCHEL

“Coach” Bobby Dale Peschel, 74, died after a hard fight against stage 4 colon cancer on September 2, 2022. He was caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor, coach, teacher, principal, and friend.

Coach Peschel was born June 12, 1948, in Kerrville, Texas, to Gottfried Peschel and Bonnie Minor Peschel. He was raised in Kerrville, Texas, graduated from Tivy HS in 1966, and earned a scholarship in track. He then graduated from Southwest Texas State Univ. with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a minor in History. Later, he completed his Master's in Education and became a principal from 1995- 2003. After he retired as a principal, he returned to be a head golf coach at Salado ISD from 2003-2013, winning multiple golf state titles.

Before attending Southwest Texas State Univ., he earned an associate's degree and ran track for Schreiner Institute. However, upon attending Southwest Texas State Univ., he married his college sweetheart, Linda Koinm, in 1971. In 1973 they had their first child, Jennifer, and in 1976 they had their son, Robert. Later down the road, they were surprised in 1987 and had their youngest child, Ashley.

Bobby Peschel made considerable educational impacts in 1971, starting in Devine, Brady, Rosebud-Lott, Caldwell, Rogers, Clifton, Iraan, and finally, Salado, Texas. After retiring, he was not finished and became Head Golf Coach in Salado. He then officially was retired in 2013.

In the end, Bobby Peschel was known for his authenticity and sweet, genuine heart. He truly wanted to see people live up to their potential. Yet, he never gave up on anyone and always took the time to work with anyone who cared. His legacy is evident in the lives of the young men and women he inspired through his coaching and teaching, as well as when he was a principal. Bobby not only wanted to inspire his students but wanted to have a long-lasting effect on their lives. His goal was to make a difference in the world by listening to others, volunteering his precious time, giving- with no strings attached, forging strong relationships, but genuinely wanting those around him to be successful and happy.

COACH DENNIS SWENSON

Dennis L. Swenson, 83, passed away at his residence in Pasadena, Texas, on Sept 16, 2022. He was born in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Aug 12, 1939, to Harry A. Swenson and Eileen M. Nolan. Dennis later graduated as Salutatorian from Sacred Heart Catholic School in 1957 and entered St. Benedict's College Seminary, Atchison, KS. He transferred to Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, where he played football until the program was dropped. He then attended the Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, on a football scholarship, finally graduating from St. Benedict's in 1963.

Dennis' first teaching/coaching job was at St. Joseph's School, Beatrice, NE. There, he met his future wife, Victoria J. Narancic. In 1966, the couple moved to Beaumont, TX for a coaching/teaching position at Kelly HS. Their first-born son, Sean, was born there but died six months later on Feb 27, 1967. They moved to Carroll, Iowa, for a coaching job at Kuemper HS, and in 1968, Dennis took a position at Central Michigan Univ., Mt. Pleasant, MI, wherehe coached football for 10 years and became an Assistant Professor in the Health-P.E. Dept. In 1974, Coach Swenson was part of the coaching staff at CMU that won the Division II National Football championship. His football players called him "a player's coach"--Tough but fair, bringing out the best qualities in each player.

While in Michigan, three more sons were born: Timothy, Mark, and Anthony. In 1978, Mr. Swenson left college coaching and moved his family to Austin, Texas, for a coaching position at Lanier HS. After 7 years, the family moved to San Antonio for coaching positions at East Central HS and Madison HS.

From 1991 until his retirement in 2003, Mr. Swenson was the head football coach and Athletic Director at Sam Rayburn H.S. in Pasadena. Coach Swenson oftentimes said he had the greatest job in the world-coaching--because he felt like 'he never worked a day in his life.' After coaching and teaching for 40 years, Mr. Swenson and his wife traveled the world. His hobbies were playing cards, working out, golfing, and reading profusely.

NOW

Obituary

COACH GARY GAINES

Gary Alan Gaines, 73, of Lubbock, Texas, passed away on Monday, August 22, 2022. (In 2015, Gary was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease.) Gary was born May 4, 1949, to Derwood Gaines and Dorothy (Craig) Gaines in Midland, Texas. He was raised in Crane, TX and graduated from there in 1967. Gary excelled in football, basketball, and baseball in his early years through high school.

Gary Gaines and Sharon Hicks were married June 27, 1970 in Crane, Texas. They were married for 52 years. They are parents of two children, Bradley Gaines and Nicole (Gaines) Strader.

Gary attended college at Angelo State Univ. on a full football scholarship. He played for Angelo State from 1967 through 1971, and received the Nathan's Award as "most valuable football player". He graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1971. Gary earned his Master's degree from Sul Ross Univ. in Administration.

In 1971, Gary began his coaching career as an assistant football coach at high schools in Ft. Stockton and Monahans. His first head coaching job began in Petersburg, and then Denver City before moving to Permian High School in Odessa, Texas, as an assistant coach. He subsequently became the head coach at Amarillo Tascosa, Monahans High School and Permian.

In 1989, Gary led the undefeated Permian Panthers to their fifth Texas 5A State Championship with a 16-0 season and the Panthers were also named ESPN's National Champions. His successful program was immortalized in the book and movie "Friday Night Lights."

Following the state championship season at Permian, Gary joined Texas Tech Univ. football staff as an assistant coach to Spike Dykes. After four seasons at Tech, he returned to coaching high school football at Abilene High and San Angelo Central. Gary led Abilene Christian University as head coach for five years. In 2002, they won the Lone Star Conference South Division Co-Championship. Following his time at ACU, he spent two years as the Athletic Director of Ector County ISD in Odessa, and another two as the Athletic Director of Lubbock ISD. In 2009, he returned to Permian and after leading the Panthers to a District win, he retired in 2013. Students loved and respected him. He encouraged students not only in all sports, but in band, choir, orchestra, and other extracurricular activities. Leading by example, he taught respect, the importance of hard work, teamwork, among other qualities.

Gary had much success during his 40-year career but most importantly, he lived an exemplary Christian life, while impacting many students and fellow coaches. He loved his athletes, but he loved all students. He was loved and respected by them. Gary encouraged his players and others by leading by example, teaching values, such as teamwork and respect. He was known for his strong work ethic, humility, kindness to others, dedication, and integrity.

Gary was a member of Texas High School Coaches Association and was on the board from 1978-1981. He was also elected Presidentelect of THSCA in 1989, but was unable to fulfill his duties, because he moved to a college coaching position at Texas Tech.

Following his retirement, Gary was named to the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2013. In 2019, he received the Legend Award inducting him into the Angelo State Univ. Hall of Honor.

OCTOBER 2022

Have you checked out our 4-L's (LISTEN, LEARN, LOVE & LEAD) Curriculum?

Coach Stephen Mackey of 2Words Character Development along with our THSCA I.D.E.A. Committee (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Awareness) have worked together to generate a library of short video lessons for coaches to use as a tool when addressing issues of racial injustice and social unrest. These videos are a perfect opportunity for professional development for your staff. Check out a sample of available lessons now at www.thsca.com/4l and access the full library of lessons by logging into your THSCA Member Portal Account.

NEW Lessons Available Now...

• The Impact of Athletics Begins and Ends with the Coach

• Why Athletics Matters: How can your Athletic Program Meet the Needs of your Community?

• How to Take Care of Yourself & Protect Your Impact

• The Miracle of the Locker Room: How Athletics can Raise the Character & Culture on your Entire Campus

• How Listening can Help you Encourage your Athletes and Coaches Better

• How to Build a Healthy Locker Room (R.E.S.P.E.C.T.)

• 10 Lies of Leadership (& What you can do about them)

THINGS TO KNOW...

Officials Appreciation Games - FOR ALL SPORTS!

THSCA is asking all sports teams across the state to take part in the THSCA/ TASO/ UIL Officials Appreciation game during a home game. We are asking our Football and Water Polo coaches to choose any home game during the month of October to recognize officials. Moving forward, we would like all other sports to utilize their first home district game to honor your officials. On page 59 of this issue, you will find more info w/ a link to a toolkit that includes suggested actions, a PA announcement, an event poster, and a video board graphic to help you recognize our hard-working officials. Thank you for your support of this important initiative!

Athletic Directors & Campus Coordinators:

Please remind all coaches on your staff that have not yet renewed their THSCA membership for the 2022-2023 school year, that they MUST RENEW to be eligible to nominate athletes for Academic All-State and Super Elite Teams in their sport, or receive a state champion coach ring from THSCA. Failure to renew membership could also affect their ability to receive a 25-year plaque and/or career victory milestone certificates/plaques.

National High School Academic Excellence Award

The THSCA has partnered with The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Football Hall of Fame and state High School Associations from all states for the creation of the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Award. This award will be the first nationwide recognition honoring individual high school football teams for excellence in the classroom. Football coaches, you should be receiving an email in mid-October outlining the protocols for nomination. Nominations will be submitted directly to THSCA beginning in November.

UPDATE YOUR MEMBER PROFILE:

1. Navigate to www.thsca.com and select the gold button at the top labeled Member Portal Login.

download and print/screenshot your THsCA membership card:

2. The first time visiting the new portal you will be required to set up a new password, so select the Forgot your Password? option. Your initial username will be the email address we have on file for your member account.

3. The system will email a link/verification code for you to verify your account and set-up a new password. (If you have any difficulty remembering the email address you used for account set-up, or you do not receive the verification email to reset your password, please call our THSCA office 512.392.3741 and we can assist you.)

4. Click on the Round Grey User icon on the top right and select “Update Profile/View Membership”.

Your 2022-23 THSCA digital membership card is accessible through the THSCA Members Portal on our website. You can download your member card at any time and choose to either print it and carry it in your wallet, or screen shot a photo of it on your mobile device and keep it ready when you need it!

To print/screenshot your Member Card:

1. Login to the THSCA Member Portal and click on the Round Grey User icon on the top right and select “Update Profile/View My Membership”

2. Click on the Membership tab, and you will see THSCA in blue under My Membership. Click on the blue THSCA letters.

5. Select the blue pencil icon under “My Personal Information” to update your contact data. Choose the blue Update button at the bottom of the screen to save your changes.

3. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the screen and locate the option to "Download My Membership Card" under Membership Tasks.

4. Your membership card should download as a PDF that you can print or screen shot on your mobile device for proof of membership. Please note if you do not see the download you may need to turn off your pop-up blocker first.

P ROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHI

RETIRED MEMBERSHI

MEMBERSHI

AFFILI ATE MEMBERSHI P

WHAT THE POLICY COVERS:

COVERAGE A - LIABILITY INSURANCE

Up to $2,000,000 per insured per occurrence/$ 3,000,000 per occurrence, plus the cost of defense, investigation and legal fees

•Applies in the event a member is alleged to have caused injury or damage to others while performing his/her professional duties

•Errors and omissions insurance for claims for damages arising out of a member’s duties as a professional educator, including all defense cost Note: The duty of the insurer to defend extends even to groundless, false and frivolous suits and accusations.

COVERAGE B - REIMBURSEMENT OF ATTORNEY FEES

Up to $10,000 per insured per occurrence

•The policy provides reimbursement of attorney fees in a broad range of situations not included under Coverage A. This includes allegations of criminal and/or sexual misconduct and employment related actions against an educator involving dismissal, revocation of certification and other professional rights and duties.

•In actions involving termination, salary, reassignment, certification or resignation, the matter in dispute must be resolved in favor of the member to qualify for the full reimbursement of $10,000. However, $2,000 of this amount is available for initial consultation and research, whether or not the member prevails, to determine if there exists a reasonable chance of the case being resolved in the member’s favor.

COVERAGE C - BAIL BONDS

Up to $2,000 premium on bail bonds

WHAT THE POLICY PAYS:

COVERAGE A: Up to $2,000,000 per insured per ccurrence/$3,000,000 per occurrence, plus the cost of defense, investigation and legal fees.

COVERAGE B: Up to $10,000 per claim per Insured. Coverage for criminal proceedings and /or sexual misconduct limited to $10,000 aggregate per policy term.

COVERAGE C: Up to $2,000 premium on bail bonds.

COVERAGE FEATURES:

Criminal/Sexual Misconduct Allegations

The policy provides reimbursement of attorney fees up to $10,000 under Coverage B if the educator is acting in the scope of his/her duties.

Corporal Punishment

Corporal punishment is covered under Coverage A (Liability) if administered according to the rules of the jurisdiction in which the school is located.

Outside Activity

As long as the educator is within the scope of his/her professional duties, the policy covers liability for injury to students and others while the educator is conducting visits to industrial and commercial establishments, entertainment centers, outings, picnics and other similar school functions, subject to specific automobile, watercraft, & aircraft exclusions

Coverage B

Reimbursement of Attorney Fees - Such reimbursement as is afforded the member for actions involving tenure, dismissal, revocation of certification & other professional rights and duties is assured under the policy and is not contingent on the approval of a board or review committee, as might be the case where the only available assistance is from a defense fund.

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE & HOW DO I PURCHASE?

The Texas High School Coaches Association offers a Coaches Professional Liability Insurance option to eligible members with coverage beginning July 1, 2022. The THSCA has chosen the John A. Barclay Agency, Inc. to provide this coverage to our members. This plan was devised to offer liability insurance and legal assistance to THSCA members. In order to be eligible for this coverage you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a Coach, Athletic Trainer or Athletic Director, including classroom duties, for an accredited secondary school, college, junior college or university, within the state of Texas.

• Your THSCA Membership must be current for the school year in which the coverage is effective – 7/1/22 - 6/30/23.

• PROFESSIONAL, AFFLIATE and LIFE members are eligible only if they meet the criteria above. This insurance is not available to STUDENT or RETIRED members.

If you choose to purchase this insurance coverage and do not meet the criteria for eligibility, this coverage will not be valid. This coverage will be in effect July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 Insurance purchased after July 1, 2022 will commence on the payment received date. This insurance coverage is not retroactive.

Payment should be made directly to the THSCA. The total 22/23 annual premium for the insurance coverage will be $58.00 per member.

$ 52.00

$ 2.56

Annual Insurance Premium: State Taxes and Fees (4.295%): Association Administrative Fee: $ 3.44 TOTAL 2022/23 Annual Premium: $ 58.00

Checks should be made payable to: THSCA Mail payment to: THSCA, P.O. Box 1138, San Marcos, TX 78667 DO NOT MAIL PAYMENT to the Barclay Agency.

Eligible members will be able to purchase the Coaches Professional Liability Insurance on the THSCA website, or by selecting to purchase the coverage on the THSCA membership application form and submitting it by fax, email or mail to the THSCA office with the insurance payment. NOTE: In order to be eligible to purchase the coverage your membership must be current for the same year of policy coverage. (7/1/22-6/30/23)

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

Do you have the financial ability to defend yourself in the event of claim? Do you have the expertise to find the best legal counsel for your situation?

THIS IS NOT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE POLICY BUT A SUMMARY AND IS PROVIDED FOR REFERENCE ONLY. ALL COVERAGE PROVIDED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE POLICY IN THE EVENT OF A LOSS OR OCCURRENCE IS SUBJECT TO THE EXCLUSIONS AND CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THE MASTER POLICY ON FILE WITH THE POLICYHOLDER, INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS, ENDORSEMENTS, AND ADDITIONS. QUESTIONS REGARDING

INSURANCE POLICY COVERAGE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO: The John A. Barclay Agency, Inc. 512.374.4927

We are always on the hunt for great content for publication in Texas Coach magazine!

Article submissions can be sport-specific skills and techniques, or be related to program administration, team culture, building relationships with athletes, parents, administrators, etc. Maybe a top 10 list you want to create or a “Do’s and Don’ts guide?” We publish articles from both members and non-members... so we encourage you to reach out to all of the different sport coaches on your campus, your athletic adminstrators, spouses, student-athletes, school administrators, booster club presidents, etc. and ask them to share their knowledge and wisdom with our Texas coaching family! Please email all article submissions to beckyadams@thsca.com – Word Document format is preferred, and 2-4 pages would be ideal length.

SUBMITTED BY COACH LEROY STARNES

It’s football time again in Texas, and Texas athletes have been diligently working most of the summer with dreams of having a starting position on their desired teams.

We are a lucky family with a long history in the sport of football. The Fuller boys Asa (6’ 1” 235 lbs. transfer from Fresno State), Cade (6’ 3” 225 lbs. transfer from Fresno State), and Braeden (6’ 3” 200 lbs. freshman from Floresville High School) will be attending Angelo State University this fall and will be on the Rams Football Team. Add one more to the list: Dalton Perry (first cousin, 6’ 2 310 lbs. from Poth High School) which makes four family members altogether. Lately, their dads, Asa Ralph Fuller and Bronson Fuller, have noticed a big reduction in their grocery bills. The boys’ dads were stars at Floresville High School, and their grandfather, Asa Fuller, played college football at Southwest Texas State University as well as playing several years in the pros. Ralph Starnes, their great grandfather, also played at SWTSU and was regarded as one of the better coaches in South Texas. Rogan Parsons, a cousin and eighth grader at Poth, could possibly be the next college football player in our family.

I have spent 40 years coaching & teaching. My son, David Starnes, is presently a coach in Round Rock, and my grandson, Ryan Starnes, plays football for the Round Rock Dragons. Hailey Starnes, my granddaughter, just completed four years as a trainer for the Dragon Varsity Football team.

It is my belief that few families can boast of four family members on the same collegiate team with the love of football flowing through their veins.

Everything you need. All in one FREE app.

sportsYou is the best FREE communication platform for districts, schools and teams. Streamline and customize the way you engage with coaches, players and parents.

TEAMS/GROUPS MEDIA/FOLDERSCHAT CALENDAR

sportsYou enhances safety for our athletes and is a great communication tool with coaches, kids and parents. It is 100% mandated for all our coaches and kids throughout all of Frisco ISD.

GRACE MCDOWELL, FRISCO ISD

Get started at sportsYou.com or download on the app store to learn more and join for free!

wit wisdom&

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."

Winston Churchill

"Those who spend their time looking for the faults of others usually make no time to correct their own."

Art Jonak

MANAGING A TEAM

“

To build a strong team, you must see someone else’s strength as a complement to your weakness and not a threat to your position or authority.”

Christine Caine

"We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now."

"Good management consists in showing average people how to do the work of superior people."

John Rockefeller

COMPASSION

"For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You'd be surprised how far that gets you."

"

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

Leo Buscaglia

"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive."

Dalai Lama XIV

Neil deGrasse Tyson

"There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up."

John Holmes

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aesop

Martin Luther King. Jr.

ESTABLISHING PROGRAM GOALS, BUILDING FOCUSED PRACTICE GROUPS, & CREATING PROGRAM CULTURE:

BY TOM ALFIERI Head Baseball Coach - San Antonio Churchill High School

A typical high school practice on any athletic field or gym floor can be divided into a few fundamental elements. Active and/or isolated stretching, individual skill development, group work, and team sessions are four general practice segments. A sport specific variety of these components is ideal and typical practice; thus, the foundation of what practice is in the eyes of a high school athlete is developed by the coach each season. Critical components to building a program include but are not limited to:

1. Program Goal Setting

2. Proper Structuring and Manipulating of Groups

3. Creating Program Culture

1. PROGRAM GOAL SETTING

Program goal setting is the very first job one must establish when acquiring a position as a head coach. Setting and defining goals provides direction and encourages growth for current and future players in the program, as well as the coach him/ herself. The quality of the future establishment will reflect the goals set, or lack thereof.

Your desires for your kids will lead you to your

“big plan”. To construct that plan, begin with the end in mind. What do you wish to achieve for your kids? State Championship? District Championship? One victory? From that point, everything that it will take to accomplish this goal should present itself. Additionally, as smaller goals are presenting themselves on the way to reaching the vision, standards are produced and established. They will play an integral role in developing your program to not only complete that vision, but to also prepare athletes in that program for life beyond high school athletics. So, without a vision, there will be no roads to navigate, no standards established, and minimal learning by student athletes regarding their future.

A program with NO goal and NO direction has a multitude of problems that follow. One example of this, which many coaches today can relate to, is players whose primary objective is to be the best _________ (fill in the blank, depending on the sport), rather than having a primary objective to be the best teammate or something of that nature. They want to accomplish feats on the field or court they have witnessed on their phones, posted by Twitt-iots, etc. Their goal, whether they realize it or not, is to have a viral post of their own. In doing so, rather than having success and improvement on their minds during competition, they have visions of grandeur and they “perform.” Not to mention the fact that when they are home they hear, “you

A plan to put your kids in a position to be successful to the best of your ability is every coach’s responsibility, obligation, and burden.

can do it.” They truly believe they CAN. Ironically, they are right, they can do it…one time! One time, as coaches is the furthest thing from what we wish for our kids.

This occurs in every program and on every team. This player focusing on accomplishing a remarkable feat is doing so at the expense of the team and is not doing so FOR the team.

This is one of many examples of why goal setting by high school coaches is more important now than ever before. The direction they provide for players, coaches, parents, the community, etc. is vital to the health of the program.

Kids know how to set goals. They do it all the time and do not even realize it. They successfully follow through with goals set forth by personal trainers and coaches, but the goals are unsound and mistargeted. Teaching players how to properly identify the best goal for them and their team/ program will allow high school programs the opportunity to be successful.

Entering a season every coach has a list of accomplishments they are shooting for. These small accomplishments, if achieved, will lead their team to a successful season; however, this train of thought is backwards. A handful of accomplishments might lead to success if it is the correct combination and things go your way, but identifying ONE big concept, idea, or achievement (goal) and allowing the list of accomplishments to resonate from this big goal will provide the necessary steps to success. The resonated list is a result of the big goal, and not one picked out of thin air.

Here is a short and very general example of a big goal and how the list of accomplishments is produced from it.

● A coach’s goal for his/her program is to win the state championship for the upcoming season.

● Visualize playing in the state championship game and look around. What do you have on the sideline or in the dugout? Who did you beat to get there? What did they have?

● Walk yourself through the playoffs. How did you get through that? What place did you finish in district? How did you achieve that? What did it take?

All these questions and answers are the list of accomplishments to achieve on the road to winning the state championship. The answers will dictate your practices, your standards, your culture, your drills, your mental and emotional focus, and then some. After this process, your season is laid out.

2. PROPER STRUCTURING & MANIPULATING OF GROUPS

Program goals + weekly goals + daily goals + next game goals + groups + drills = practice plan. All components involving “goals” and all drills are considered the WHAT of practice. The “grouping” is the HOW.

Focus on the groups you will be using for your workouts. How can you structure your groups in a way that three or four different variations of groups can be formed with a simple command? Each different group can be used with different goals in mind and using various groups will have dramatically positive effects on your team and program.

Structuring and manipulating of groups are important aspects of the functionality of any practice for any sport. Proper planning and preparation in creating groups can have an endless positive effect

on a program, and it is often overlooked when planning practices. Failure to prepare in this regard can waste time on the practice field, and disrupt the building of culture and standards which are essential to any program. Furthermore, monotony can set in when using the same groups for all workouts and practices.

As previously mentioned, focus by practice planners is usually on “what” the activity is. Whether it is a new spin on batting practice in baseball or a new team ball handling drill in basketball, coaches spend hours figuring out how to make the drill work with the tools they have and the amount of time it will take for their team/program. The question is always, “what do we need to work on?” or “what haven’t we covered?”.

Combining the “what” with the “how and who” will allow the workout to come full circle accomplishing many positive outcomes for your kids. Focusing on who is doing what, and how they are going to do it, will not only provide the opportunity for improving physical abilities of the individuals, but will also provide the planner with the best decision on what needs to be worked on because the focus isn’t the game, the focus is the players. Practices must include the common practice components of warm-up, individual, group, and team drills, and are merged with methodically built groups. These are combined with season goals, weekly goals, and upcoming game goals.

Changing the perspective in that regard allows a coach to isolate the needs of their players, and thus, the program. Workouts will be concentrated on improvements necessary to a higher extent than if the perspective was the other way around.

3. PROGRAM CULTURE

How groups are created, built, and manipulated over time, directly influences the culture of any program. And the existing culture of any program creates a boundary which restricts and expands, providing the levels of success a program can accomplish. Visualize “culture” as a bubble which can cover an endless amount of volume or no volume at all. It is important to understand that the volume your culture possesses is reality. It presently exists, no matter your desire or expectations of what you want it to be. It is a direct result of everything you do or do not do, every second of every minute of every day since the moment you

took the reins of your program. More importantly, it can be changed, for the good or the bad. So, is your volume going to produce…a few district wins? A district championship? A state championship? Or successful student-athletes in life after high school?

The success of a program is limited to the strength of the culture of the program; therefore, the culture is directly influenced through groups by establishing:

● Any desired level of a competitive nature for individual players.

● Organizing and creating an understanding of the vitality that “organization” exudes.

● Unlimited possibilities for coaches to create situations for players to develop into the best student athlete they can be.

CONCLUSION

Program Goal Setting, Proper Structuring and Manipulating of Groups, and Creating Program Culture do not exist in isolation; they are fluid, dynamic, and interrelated facets of any high school athletics program, meaning that programs MUST implement all three when preparing for a new season in order to set the kids, as well as the program up for success.

Any good high school coach, no matter the sport, aspires to accomplish greatness for his/her players, in addition to educating and preparing them for life after high school. My philosophy has always been to teach my players how to define success for themselves, to identify what it will take to achieve that success, and to teach them to do those things in order to achieve it.

OWN YOUR GOALS WITH RELENTLESS PURSUIT

If you’re reading this, I know something about you. You have greatness inside of you. You have the ability to do things you can’t even imagine. Every single one of you is strong. Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you are not strong enough or don’t deserve what you want. Stay strong because you are worth it. Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Be confident. Believe you are the best. Push yourself. Be RELENTLESS!

Win! Win big! I’ve always loved it when people underestimate me. Seeing the stupid expressions on their faces after they see what I can really do is priceless. I’m not going to let anyone or anything define me. I’ll decide who I am, and when I say I’m going to do something, I do it. The first thing that comes to mind when the sets get tough is that I cannot lose. I refuse to lose and be a failure. I am a winner! It’s much more desirable to leave the gym saying “I won!”

Be RELENTLESS!

Have faith! Let your dreams be stronger than your fears. Fear is a liar! Your own mind is a battlefield in more ways than most. It will quit hundreds of times before your body ever does. Your mind always fails first, not the body. The secret is to let your mind and heart work for you, not against you. The only one who can tell you “you can’t” is you...and you don’t have to listen. Fear is the greatest obstacle to learning in any area. You must understand fear so you can manipulate it. Fear is like fire. You can make it work for you; it can warm you in the winter, cook your food when you’re hungry, give you light when you’re in the dark and produce energy. Let it go out of control and it can hurt you, even kill you…fear is a friend of exceptional people. The hero and the coward both feel the same thing, but the hero uses his fear, projects it onto his opponent, while the coward runs. It’s the same thing, fear, but it’s what you do with it that matters.

Be RELENTLESS!

Dream big! Nothing is going to stop me from fulfilling my dream, not the president, not the king or queen, and surely not a peasant. Why should anyone tell you that “you can’t” or to be realistic. Kick their negativity away. The best feeling in the world is doing something everyone said you couldn’t. Be RELENTLESS!

written as a motivation for young student-athletes from a coach who wants to see them succeed....

BY RICH RISNER (Played at Canton HS for Coach Jim Gill, Coach Brent Graham, Coach John Sullivan & Coach Howard Bell)

Be courageous! It takes a lot of courage to grow up and turn out who you really are. A successful man is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him. People are like stained glassglass windows. They shine and sparkle when the sun is out, but when darkness comes, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. Share your sparkle wherever you are. Be RELENTLESS!

Impossible is nothing! True strength often rises at our weakest point... Courage awakens! When faced with adversity, rejections and failings, winners continue to persevere despite setbacks; this is how they become winners - by refusing to think of themselves as failures. It’s hard to beat a person that never gives up. When that moment of fatigue strikes you, trust your training and push past it. You can always do more than you think you can. Be RELENTLESS!

Be determined! Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you respond to it. This world is not for weak minded people. A determined person doesn’t find it hard to succeed; they find it hard to stop trying. Wake up and fight the battle in your mind. When you are striving for greatness, and mediocrity is unacceptable, there are enough things standing in your way without you being one of them. Make every day count! Be RELENTLESS!

Want it! Love it! Live it! With all your heart, everything you got! Whatever it is you want, you’ve got to wake up every morning and ask yourself, “How bad do you want it?” How much work are you willing to put forth for the things and people you want and need in your life? You’ve all heard this before, nothing great comes without effort. But I promise you that if it’s something of great meaning in your heart and need in your life, every risk, every step and every drop of blood, sweat and tears will be well worth it. Be RELENTLESS!

Never Settle! What do I fear? I fear lack of progress. I fear not being my best. I fear never reaching my full potential and being average, turning soft. I fear being forgotten, the past, yesterday’s news. I fear giving up and being passed by. I fear letting the ones I love down, letting you down, letting myself down. I fear

not being good enough. I fear settling, giving into the “that’s just the way it is” mindset. Never Settle. I fear losing my “flag nor fail “ mindset. Flag representing surrender, much like one would wave a white flag to admit defeat. No surrender, no failure. I fear dying without leaving my mark. I fear not feeling these fears anymore and just floating along. These fears feed me, they nourish the relentless drive in me. I love my fear. Fear is a liar! I choose to stay RELENTLESS!

Keep dreaming! Your dreams will always be more important to you than anyone else. So keep dreaming, keep believing, keep going, keep pressing forward. Stay positive, stay fighting, stay brave, stay ambitious, stay focused, stay strong. Stick to your guns. Mentality is everything!

If you want something, you’ve gotta take it, nobody’s gonna give it to you. I promise to guide and help you along the way. Run at your goals full speed, with relentless pursuit, catch your goals.

In all you do, be relentless.

FOREVER Relentless!!! Coach Risner

BE RELENTLESS!

around the state

Texas High School Coaches Association 88th Texas Legislative Session Government Relations & Advocacy efforts

As an association, we place intense focus on our continued work as the primary advocate for coaches in the state of Texas. This means we work year round, during and outside of state legislative sessions to ensure the highest possible standards for athletics and the coaching profession. Our THSCA lobbyists and our staff work together to connect with local and state legislators to secure a better understanding of the opportunities for improvement in high school coaching and both the educational and athletic arenas it serves.

We have now shifted our government relations focus from voting to the start of the 88th Texas legislative session. We need to encourage a much more impressive voter turnout for the November elections and need all of your help to maintain our strong voice in the 88th Legislative Session in January. We want to keep you as informed as possible, so that when you are called to act during this session you will be able to initiate a grass roots movement that cannot be drowned out. We have relied on our member coaches to react and band together in

every past session and have been able to defeat or help to amend legislation that would have been detrimental to the future of athletics in Texas. We may be your primary advocate circulating through the halls of the capital building, but you all are the collective voice that sways the legislators' decisions. You are the united front that educates the future generation of voters on civic responsibility and community service. Our Texas coaches have set the professional standard for coaches on a national level and that in turn has allowed for the THSCA to be a commanding voice within our Texas legislature.

Please read the information on the next several pages and familiarize yourself with our association's government relations work, our state's law-making process and the important work of our THSCA lobbyists. Our Legislative Consultant Dr. Curtis Culwell has provided us with an update on what he expects will be the most talked about issues this session.

DATES of Importance FOR THE 88TH SESSION:

October 11, 2022:

Last Day to Register to Vote

October 24 - November 4, 2022: EARLY VOTING

October 28, 2022:

Vote by Mail Applications Due

November 8, 2022:

ELECTION DAY (7 AM to 7 PM)

Tuesday, January 10, 2023: 88th Legislature convenes at noon

Friday, March 10, 2023: 60-day bill filing deadline

Monday, May 29, 2023:

sine die

What does a Lobbyist do?

A lobbyist is a professional advocate who works to inform political decisions in a variety of ways and means on behalf of a person, organization or group. This includes persuading them to propose, pass, amend or defeat legislation as well as work to change existing laws and regulations.

Lobbyists can attempt to sway the decisions of politicians by providing them with information they may not have access to in the form of graphs, charts, polls and statistical reports that are favorable to the interest groups they represent. Many times, a lobbyist will serve as a key component when drafting legislation.

A lobbyist may testify at a public hearing in place of a special interest group, but they primarily advise representatives of those groups when it comes to offering public testimony and provide insight on the optimum time to call upon the associations members to raise their voices.

Researching policy formulation and law-making in an effort to combine that knowledge with industry knowledge associated with the special interest groups they serve.

TEACH THE VOTE

STAKEHOLDERS

Working with special interest groups to identify common interests, help draft legislation and plan campaigns.

THE WORK OF A LOBBYIST RESEARCH

LEGISLATIVE INSIGHT

Guiding special interest groups in the tracking of relevant legislation, advising opportunities to support or oppose a bill, and facilitating connections with legislators.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Regularly meeting with government officials on a state, local or national level as a professional advocate on behalf of a person, organization or group.

legislative session outlook

from Dr. Curtis Culwell 88th

The 88th session of The Texas Legislature convenes on January 10, 2023, only three months from now. This session has many elements that will not be decided until after the November elections. The “Big 3”, Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General all have opponents that have run somewhat competitive races with significant less resources than the incumbents. However, with 6 weeks until the elections all incumbents are leading in the polls. The closest race is the Attorney General election between current AG Ken Paxton and his Democratic challenger Rochelle Garza.

If the incumbents all win, there will be a continuation of certain policies that have been characteristic of the leaderships positions in the past sessions and the makeup of the House and the Senate will likely remain in Republican control. The House will elect their leader and all indications point toward Representative Dave Phelan being re-elected as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.

The issues that will be important for Texas Educators and Texas High School Coaches will be similar to the last session but with some significant differences. First and foremost, there will be a continued emphasis on school safety after the tragic events in Uvalde. The School Safety Allotment currently is $9.72 per student in Texas Public Schools. There will no doubt be a push to increase that amount to a higher number so schools can continue to harden facilities and hire more safety and security personnel.

The financial outlook for the State going into this session is much more favorable than the last session due to a robust Texas economy and higher oil and gas prices. The priority for a conservative legislature will first be tax relief, primarily property taxes. After that is achieved there will be other priorities such as Medicare funding and continued infrastructure needs such as the power grid. Education will receive attention as well but with multiple agendas.

While Texas student enrollment declined during the pandemic, enrollment is moving back toward pre-pandemic levels. Over 3 billion dollars were left unspent of budgeted education dollars due to enrollment decline. The need for safety allotment increases, rising operating cost due to inflation and teacher/school personnel shortages have stressed school budgets this year.

The Texas Teacher Retirement System continues to be an area of concern with benefits reported to be some of the lowest in the United States. The health care component TRS Active Care, continues to have financial issues and additional dollars will be needed there as well.

School choice/voucher advocates are gearing up for their pursuit of public dollars for private purposes this session. The pandemic gave voucher voices new life as schools were closed by Governor Abbot. Voucher schemes often appear with different names such tuition grants, education savings accounts and tuition tax credits. The social issues that have impacted many local school boards will be a legislative focus for some legislators such as CRT and banning library books.

Coaches will continue to watch the evolution of Name, Image and Likeness and the possible impact it may eventually have on Texas High School athletes. The national discussion of transgender athletes and competition classification will possibly surface again.

The Texas High School Coaches Association will continue to be involved in issues that are important to the coaching profession and high school athletics.

HOW Texas LAWS Are Made

The House has 150 MEMBERS

The Senate has 31 MEMBERS

Texas Legislative Sessions are held biennially for 140 DAYS.

Legislation can be originated in either chamber and move through this process in either direction. Many times identical versions of a bill will be introduced by legislators in both chambers (known as Companion Bills).

Indicates an opportunity for bill failure.

BILL

A

PUBLIC HEARINGS

COMMITTEE REPORT

A bill is submitted by a House member. This introduction process begins 60 days prior to the start of the session.

The approved HOUSE bill & amendments printed & sent to SENATE for consideration

A majority vote of committee membership is required to move ahead.

Placed on Regular Order of Business

A 3/5 vote is required to bring the bill to the Senate floor.

LEGISLATION BECOMES A LAW

A bill can be signed by the Governor in the presence of the House OR it may remain unsigned. In either case, the bill becomes a law after 90 days, unless otherwise stipulated.

Lobbyists help an association to research, track and advocate for or against any particular piece of legislation. They advise the advantage or disadvantage it proposes to your special interest group and create opportunities for involvement in the legislative process.

The Governor may VETO a bill. Legislature may override the veto with a 2/3 vote.

State Legislator

People

PRE-SEASON COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS

By Jason Pillion, Amarillo High School - Head Basketball Coach

I know it has always been the million-dollar question, but it seems it is getting asked more and more, how do you deal with parents? I hear a horror story every month about parents gone bad. We have moved out of the helicopter parent generation where they hovered to make sure everything was going okay into the bulldozer parent where they plow a path of no obstacles where everything works out for their benefit. It is making coaching and teaching a tough place. Let me be clear about my parents in the boys’ basketball program at Amarillo High, there are none better. Of course, I have had my share of problems, but generally speaking, they are absolutely wonderful! But I know that’s not everywhere, it’s not even consistent behavior on our campus. In fact, it reminds me of a moment recently where I took an opportunity to point something out to the young coaches on my staff. I had a stud senior, one of those “once in a lifetime” type kids. He was a great talent, hardest worker on the team, humble teammate, viscous competitor, and the most coachable player on the team. After a great early season win we got on the bus and a comparison started between him and another great player on the opposing team. I told my young coaches that at some point they would want go out looking for a head job which would lend itself to the question, what makes a good job? There are a lot of factors, talent, administration support, community support, depth of talent, teaching responsibilities, staffing concerns, pay, etc. I said one that we never talk about but may be the single greatest factor, what are the parents like? I said take these 2 kids, look at them. Their height and strength are similar, their athleticism is similar, their skill set is similar, their access to resources to improve are similar, their raw intelligence is similar. What’s the only difference

in their individual growth from a young age? Their parents, that’s it. Our kid came from a great family, one who demanded hard work, being unselfish, listening to authority, caring about others and keeping priorities in order. The other was entitled, a bad teammate, didn’t listen to his coach, didn’t play hard and was a frontrunner. While we as coaches believe we are miracle workers who could change all those things, I have come to learn if players don’t come from parents with those qualities, it’s a battle you will almost never win. We are told in Bible that we will know a tree by its fruit. I advised my coaches to look at the parents at a particular place. If the majority of them are selfish that’s going to be a tough job, even if there’s talent and you win, chances are you are going to be miserable doing it. If you can find a place where parents want their kids to be a part of something bigger than themselves, you found something special. Someone once told me the biggest win you will ever have is the win at the kid’s dinner table, if he is constantly hearing negative, selfish things then it will eventually win out and his attitude will sour. At Amarillo High, I am consistently getting wins at the dinner table, it then gives me a chance each season to have some level of success.

That brings me to communication with our parents prior to the season ever starts. First, I share many of the thoughts from the previous paragraph, how parent support is a strength and we should fight to keep it that way. I give a similar talk each year to try to cut off problems before they are out of control. I included a document below that I pass out on how parents could become a problem and encourage them to continue to follow the wonderful examples we have had.

5 Toxic Behaviors By Parents

1. Blame-Shifting and Excuse Making

• Inability to take personal responsibility for failures or problems. It’s always someone else's fault!

• "Coach just isn’t using his/her talents”. Uncle Rico

• “The coach, the refs, your teammates cost us the game."

SOLUTION: Control what you can control, teach your kids the same.

2. Constant Negativity

• Always seeing the negative in every situation.

• Never giving praise where praise is due. Nothing is ever good enough. Discontent.

• Being an “energy sucker” through your words and body language.

SOLUTION: Embrace the challenge of “turning a negative into a positive.” Acknowledge good when you see it. The best thing you can say after a game is “I love watching you compete/play/support your team.”

3. Taking Everything Personally

• “Coach just doesn’t like you”

• “Coach plays his favorites”

SOLUTION: See the big picture; we have to do what’s best for the team. Whether you agree or disagree, it’s never personal. Some of my favorite kids in the past sat on the bench & some of my least favorite kids played. If he can help us he will be on the floor.

4. Not acknowledging the Sandie family

• Choosing which players you cheer for.

• Not sitting together because of ___ (some selfish reason).

SOLUTION: You and your child signed up to play FOR the Sandies. This isn’t about you, this is about us. Our togetherness must be a strength, acknowledge the value in being part of something bigger than yourself.

5. Living vicariously through your kids

• They don’t need another coach at home.

• Let them enjoy this moment, it will be one of the highlights of their life so sit back and enjoy it yourself.

SOLUTION: One of the great joys as a parent is watching your kids compete and participate in extracurricular activities. Enjoy it because it goes fast.

There is no magic formula to having success with parents. I think the best we can do is try to decrease the chances of misunderstandings by being completely open and honest before we begin. I tell them what we will and won’t talk about in meetings. I explain the why of those things. I explain my vision and what I am trying to accomplish. That allows me, when I do have those moments during the season, to remind them of where I will and won’t go as far as conversations and meetings. I am fortunate parents

believe in that, they tend to not interfere in the basketball part of it and allow their sons to have a positive experience. They, like all of us, want to watch their kids play and be successful, but not everyone will get that opportunity. But more importantly they understand and want their kids to learn the value of hard work, high character, unselfishness, toughness, caring about something bigger than yourself and being together. It’s definitely a very special place.

THE HEAD PROTECTION LEADER

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"Your child’s success or lack of success in athletics DOES NOT indicate what kind of parent you are. Having an athlete that is coachable, respectful, a great teammate, mentally tough, resilient and gives their best effort IS a direct reflection of your parenting."

UNLOCKING PERFORMANCE IN THE HEAT:

UNLOCKING PERFORMANCE IN THE HEAT:

EVERY ATHLETE SHOULD KNOW THEIR PRECISE HYDRATION NEEDS

Jakob Allen PhD, Lead Sports Scientist Ascension Texas Sports Performance

Every athlete who has trained and competed in Texas during the hot summer months has likely experienced a painful muscle cramp. You sprint off the line only to pull up short grabbing your hamstring, a knot of mis firing motor neurons stopping you in your tracks. While there is a lot of debate in scientific circles about what exactly causes muscle cramps, most scientists agree that it boils down to two main causes. The first cause is that when muscles are tired and are asked to do a movement beyond their ability it leads to a misfire in the nerves leading to the muscles (Behringer et al., 2017). The second cause is that dehydration can reduce that amount of sodium (a common electrolyte found in table salt) in the body, which affects muscle contraction (Maughan & Shirreffs, 2019). We know that fatigue plays a role because of studies performed in the early 1900s on telegraphists – people who used their hands to re peatedly tap out messages in morse code – because of the frequency of cramping common to this profession. These telegraphists were likely not dehydrated when they experienced a cramp; therefore, the spasm was

likely due to overuse and fatigue causing the brain to misfire the nerves leading to their hand muscles.

Spicy, acidic foods such as pickle juice are thought to decrease the duration of the cramp by “distracting” the brain’s firing of motor neurons (Behringer et al., 2017). Since pickle juice works instantly, and does not have time to increase sodium levels in the body, it supports the idea that electrolyte imbalance is not the only cause of cramping. On the other hand, large scale studies on industrial workers performing hours of grueling work in hot conditions has shown that when these workers were given sodium in their drinks, the rate of cramping de creased (Moss, 1923). Clearly dehydration and electro lyte imbalance played a role in the performance of this population. Since both fatigue and dehydration play a role in cramping, it is essential that athletes understand their personal hydration needs.

The amount of sweat produced is different from person to person. On the low end, someone might sweat as little as 0.5 liters per hour, whereas on the high end,

individuals might sweat more than 3 liters per hour. Sweat rates of several popular sports are as follows:

• Basketball – 1.37 L/hr

• Football – 2.14 L/hr

• Soccer – 1.46 L/hr

• Tennis – 2.6 L/hr

• Swimming – 0.7 L/hr

Importantly, dehydration of greater than 2% body weight can lead to significant drops in performance and negatively affect the body’s ability to regulate heat (Sawka et al., 2007). Equally as important, the amount of sodium lost per hour can range from 0.2 grams to more than 5 grams per hour in some extreme cases (Sawka et al., 2007). College football players who cramp frequent ly are more likely to have higher sweat sodium losses than players who don’t cramp frequently (Stofan et al., 2005). Genetics, body composition, training status, and how much you have been training in the heat all impact your sweat physiology. Generally, smaller individuals and females tend to sweat less, whereas larger individuals and males tend to sweat more. Athletes that have been training regularly in the heat also tend to sweat more, but their sweat is less salty, reducing the amount of sodium they lose per unit of sweat. Such wide variability in sweat rates and sweat sodium concentrations means that there is no one-size-fits all recommendation for athletes.

I have a personal connection to why it is critical to un derstand your unique sweat physiology. In 2002, my dad was competing in his first Ironman World Championship race, and midway through the 26.2 mile run he experi enced full body muscle spasms. Forced to stop moving in the middle of the “Energy Lab” – a stretch of road sur rounded by lava fields with heat radiating off of the black rocks – he thought his race was over. This was well before online athlete tracking was widely available, so my family waited at the finish line as his goal time slipped past, not knowing where he was or what had happened. When we finally saw him jogging towards the finish line, well past when we had expected to see him, we were very relieved he was okay. Later, we learned that he had only been able to start running again after a teammate of his caught up to him and gave him some salt tablets. The electrolytes replenished his body, and his motor neurons returned to normal.

In what would turn out to be a very big coincidence, my dad had signed up to participate in a sweat sodium research study on Ironman athletes, being conducted by a team of exercise physiology researchers from the Uni versity of Texas at Austin. Led by world-renowned phys iologist Dr. Ed Coyle and his doctoral student Mathew Pahnke, they were investigating the range of sweat rates and sweat sodium losses experienced in the world’s most

physically demanding one-day race. Fast forward nearly two decades and the results of that study were displayed in front of me on a lecture screen in a Sports Nutrition course at UT Austin taught by Dr. Coyle, now my doctoral degree advisor. The graph showed the wide range of sweat rates observed in the race, and the dot to the far right of the graph was most likely my dad. The results were a striking reminder that everyone’s physiology is slightly different, and some athletes face a much greater challenge when it comes to hydration. After receiving the results from the UT sweat study, my dad learned that he would need to consume substantially more sodium than that provided in the electrolyte mix available on the course. He used the data to guide his hydration protocol and went on to compete in the Ironman World Champion ships again without further muscle spasms.

Learning your personal sweat profile is essential for ensuring you can train and perform at your best in the heat. As Lead Sports Scientist for Ascension Texas Sports Performance, my role is to provide the same physiological testing used by professional athletes to athletes of all abilities. I use strict data collection pro tocols to ensure that I provide athletes scientifically sound results for all hydration testing. One of my favorite aspects of my job is to empower athletes with knowledge to help them reach their goals. If you feel like you struggle to maintain your hydration while training or racing this time of year, or if you are a coach who thinks your team would benefit from a group testing session, email me at Jakob.Allen@ascension.org to learn more about how you can optimize your performance in the heat.

References

Behringer, M., Nowak, S., Leyendecker, J., & Mester, J. (2017). Effects of TRPV1 and TRPA1 activators on the cramp threshold frequency: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY, 117(8), 1641–1647. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3653-6 Maughan, R. J., & Shirreffs, S. M. (2019). Muscle Cramping During Exercise: Causes, Solutions, and Questions Remain ing. Sports Medicine, 49(2), 115–124. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s40279-019-01162-1

Moss, K. (1923). Some effects of high air temperatures and muscular exertion upon colliers. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON SERIES B-CONTAINING PAPERS OF A BIOLOGICAL CHARACTER, 95(666), 181–200. https://doi. org/10.1098/rspb.1923.0031

Sawka, M., Burke, L., Eichner, E., Maughan, R., Montain, S., & Stachenfeld, N. (2007). Exercise and fluid replacement. MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 39(2), 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e31802ca597

Stofan, J., Zachwieja, J., Horswill, C., Murray, R., Anderson, S., & Eichner, E. (2005). Sweat and sodium losses in NCAA football players: A precursor to heat cramps? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORT NUTRITION AND EXERCISE METABOLISM, 15(6), 641–652. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.15.6.641

Happy Fall Y'all!

There is just something about October that I love so much. I look forward to October 1st every year. Maybe it’s because I know cooler days are in our future, Praise the Lord! October is also the halfway mark for High School Football season.

In our house, it means a full schedule and non-stop chaos. The weekdays are packed with school activities, games, overlapping schedules and carpooling. As if our days aren’t busy enough, I took on an entirely new title this school year. There are now two Coaches in our house. I am so excited to be coaching middle school volleyball this year and I am beyond grateful that my husband is constantly encouraging me. I couldn’t do it without his uncondi tional love and support. It took me a long time as a young coach’s wife with small children to realize that “support” is one of the most important aspects in our life. No one can handle everything on their own. Surrounding yourself with an incredible support system, is a game changer. Whether it’s a neighbor that has become a close friend and is willing to share after school carpool duties or a fellow coach’s wife that checks in on you to lend a shoulder to lean on after a family emergency. Whoever your support system may be, use them, say yes to a helping hand.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and most athletic programs around the state of Texas will wear pink to show their support for survivors and to remember those lost to this disease. So, this month I challenge all of you to be a support person. Whether it’s a friend, a coworker, a stranger or a cause that is dear to your heart.

The Texas High School Coaches Wives Association is constantly growing with new members. I am proud to say we have over 425 members. If you would like to be apart of our amazing organization, you can visit www.thscwa.org to sign up. Questions and comments can be submitted on our website. Best of luck to everyone this fall sport season!

THSCWA

DIRECTORS

REG

REG

REG

REG

REG

REG

REG

REG

MARTINEZ

smith

GREEK

MORGAN HAMRICK

MISTY

ASSISTANT DIRECTORS:

REG

REG

REG

REG

REG

REG

REG

REG

clara simmons

JESSICA ATWOD

KRISTEN HAYWOOD

GENTRY STAUGH

RACHAEL MCGUIRE

LYNDSEY RATLIFF

AMBER HILLIS

AMANDA AGUIRRE

wood

Program Captain

I am more of a Twitter guy than any other social media but I have had something on my mind for a few days so I have decided to post it here on Facebook. After our coaches Bible Study with Rodney McGee, long time Burnet Basketball Coach, this morning, I realized that I could be an encourager (coffee bean) with just a quick message, so here it goes...

I have recently had a couple of coaching friends reach out to me for some encouragement as their teams are struggling to get the W’s (I can relate). Their struggles range from injuries, to parent issues, kid discipline situations, anonymous emails, and even the old chat room gossip. If you have been in coaching for any amount of time, you have dealt with most of the above. Some of it we cannot control and some of it does not deserve our time or acknowledgment. However, yes, sometimes we mess up and when we do it is important to correct it.

My words are always the same to my buddies who reach out to me:

1. Do you believe in what you are doing and how you are doing it?

2. Are you coaching your kids hard?

3. Are you being relational and do your kids know that you love them?

4. Are you doing everything you can to give your kids a chance to be successful on and off the field?

Most of them answer 'ABSOLUTELY' to all those questions. If so, keep doing what you are doing. If not, change what you are doing.

One conversation, in particular, was about an anonymous email and some chat room gripe

session where folks were talking trash on him.

I asked, "Are you going to let that bother you?"

His response, "I'm trying not to but we are working really hard and it's hurtful to read that stuff or even hear about it".

So I said, "I agree with you but can I ask you a question?

He said, "Of Course!"

So I asked "Do you believe in what you are doing?

He started laughing and said, "You're about to ask me those same questions again aren't you?

Me: YIP!!!!

The last little nugget I gave him was that when someone will not sign their name to an email or needs a username in a chat room to gripe about you and your program, will their opinion have any effect on how you are running your program? The answer to that is simply, “NO”.

Also, delete the email and quit reading that crap! (he needed a little coach talk - ha-ha)

Anyway, the point of this short message, whether in coaching or not, is just to say...

BELIEVE in what you are doing, be the best you can be and ignore the noise. Because in all reality, those on the outside do not know much about what is going on, on the inside.

God Bless and Have a Great Day!

#BTS (Burn the Ships!)

Nominations are now open for the r.o.c.k. Class of 2023!

The R.O.C.K. (Rare, Outstanding, Compelled & Knowledgeable) Mentoring Program is a partnership formed between the Texas High School Coaches Education Foundation and Texas A&M University Coaching Academy, which was created to meet the needs of, and retain high school coaches and administrators in the state of Texas. Our research shows that nearly 20% of coaches leave the profession each year and many of those are young, first through fifth year coaches. Many of those coaches getting into the profession now are choosing the alternative certification route and are never able to participate in a student teaching component. Instead they enter a probationary year of employment with a school district and find themselves drowning. There is a critical need to cultivate and assist our young coaches to find their passion and be prepared as coaches, teachers and leaders in an ever-evolving environment. We felt, as an association, if we did not do something to address this epidemic it would be a disservice to the future of this amazing profession!

We are now accepting nominations for the R.O.C.K. mentoring program class of 2023! To nominate a mentee for the incoming class, please complete the nomination form in the THSCA Member Portal Online. You will need to login and then locate " Browse Open Competitions " under the Awards tab. Find the R.O.C.K. Mentee Nomination Form and select it to ENTER NOW. You will complete the nomination form for each potential mentee and submit it along with a onepage letter of recommendation and copy of the mentee’s resume no later than December 1 st . Please feel free to nominate more than one coach!

Please ensure that your nominee meets the requirements and expectations below before proceeding with the nomination:

• Mentee must be an active coach employed by a public, UIL sanctioned school (middle/junior or high school).

• At the time of nomination, mentee must have 1-5 years of coaching experience, but NO MORE than 5 years of coaching experience. (age not considered)

• If not already a member of the THSCA, the mentee must be willing to register as a member and maintain that THSCA membership throughout the 2-year mentorship term.

• Mentee must be willing to commit time and effort to the 2-year mentoring program.

• Mentee must be ready and willing to take in valuable information and grow from it, then share that information with their peers.

• Mentee must be willing to stay in close communication with mentor on a weekly/monthly basis.

Mentee must attend the following events:

• Mentee must attend his/her Regional Meeting on the 1st Saturday of February, where the mentee will be introduced and recognized by a THSCA Board Member.

• Mentee must attend Mentoring Workshop in Arlington on March 26-27 2023, where mentee will meet his/her mentor.

• Mentee must attend and stay 3 nights at coaching school during his/her first year in the program.

thsca Super Elite Teams and Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Coach of the Year

The THSCA Super Elite Teams consists of high school players nominated by members of the Texas High School Coaches Association. The player must meet the THSCA award criteria to be nominated. The award recognizes student athletes across the state of Texas for their exemplary athletic achievement in their respective sport. (Do you have highlights of athletes you think are Super Elite? We would love to see you post them on social media and tag us @THSCAcoaches and #SuperEliteTeam.)

All eligible nominations will be collected and sent to the the S.E.T. (Super Elite Teams) Committees to be evaluated. The S.E.T. Committee will submit the finalists to the advisory committee for their respective sport for final approval and decision on who have made the Super Elite team in each classification. Super Elite teams will be recognized after the state championships have been announced. This award will begin in the Fall of the 2022-23 school year. See the chart below for nomination windows for each sport.

CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION:

1. Be of good moral character

2. Varsity sports only

3. Have been a member of the team in good standing at the time of nomination

4. Player has excelled as an elite member in their respective sport

SUPER ELITE TEAMS BY THE NUMBERS:

► There will be 101 Super Elite Teams covering all 23 sports throughout the state.

► There will be over 1,800 student-athletes recognized on the Super Elite Teams.

► We will have 808 Coaches (on S.E.T. Committees) that will select the Super Elite Teams.

Super Elite Team Timeline by Sport:

SPORT NOMINATIONS OPEN NOMINATIONS CLOSE

Team Tennis 8-Oct 24-Oct

Water Polo* 8-Oct 21-Oct

Cross Country* 26-Oct 11-Nov

Volleyball 29-Oct 9-Nov

Football 5-Nov 7-Dec

Wrestling* 13-Feb 23-Feb

Swim/Dive* 6-Feb 23-Feb

Girls Basketball 11-Feb 23-Feb

Boys Basketball 18-Feb 2-Mar Soccer* 21-Mar 5-Apr Tennis* 14-Apr 1-May Golf* 21-Apr 26-May

Track & Field* 1-May 18-May

Softball 25-Apr 24-May Baseball 2-May 31-May

THSCA along with our partners at Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, want to give recognition to our Texas high school coaches for their accomplishments on and off the field/court with an opportunity to be honored nationally. We will be presenting various types of awards which will include:

Award Requirements:

Nomination Process:

The nomination process will be open to every member of THSCA after the state championships in each sport. Each THSCA member is offered a chance to nominate a head coach and/or assistant coach to submit through the Member Portal. Nominations will cease after 2 weeks. Nominations will then be handed over to the Awards Committee for scoring (by region).

SPORT NOMINATIONS OPEN NOMINATIONS CLOSE

Team Tennis 28-Oct 11-Nov

Water Polo B/G 30-Oct 13-Nov

Volleyball 20-Nov 4-Dec

Wrestling B/G 19-Feb 5-Mar

Girls Basketball 5-Mar 19-Mar Soccer B/G 16-Apr 30-Apr

Girls Golf 10-May 24-May

Boys Golf 17-May 31-May

Softball 4-Jun 18-Jun

Cross Country B/G 6-Nov 20-Nov Football 18-Dec 1-Jan

Swim/Dive B/G 19-Feb 5-Mar

Boys Basketball 12-Mar 26-Mar

Tennis B/G 27-Apr 11-May

Track & Field B/G 14-May 28-May Baseball 11-Jun 25-Jun

DEVELOPING YOUNG OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

By Nino Yniguez O'CONNOR HIGH SCHOOL OFFENSIVE LINE COACH

In a position that is so technical and requires so much development one might ask…"where should a coach start in developing his offensive line?" I think we could all agree that football players, especially the offensive line, should be responsible, trustworthy, and hardworking…so, defining culture and instilling values is an absolutely essential starting point. However, for this article, I will primarily focus on the development of a young offensive lineman’s mentality, athleticism, and scheme awareness.

I think every O Line coach in the United States would want a two week camp where we watch highlights of Mike Munchak, Trent Williams and Quenton Nelson while we listen to War Pigs on loop and enjoy endless mounds of BBQ. Unfortunately, that is completely unrealistic. What is realistic is that we have very limited time with these young linemen and a whole lot to cover. So let's get to it!

MENTALITY

This is where it starts. "Mentality” can differ from offensive scheme to offensive scheme. I coach an offensive line in a Gun-T Gap Scheme offense. I want to instill a mentality that includes players breaking the huddle, sprinting to the line of scrimmage, firing off the ball, running their feet through contact, and finishing through the whistle. But, I’ve also coached in no- huddle offenses, where front identification and communication was a priority, so we started with that and then built on the rest.

To aid in the mentality aforementioned, I put a premium on doing things fast and keeping the thinking to a minimum. Technically, I want an aggressive yet balanced stance; that means positive shin angles but light on the hand.

I use this drill to work the speed of breaking the Huddle and firing off the ball. In the huddle I'll say something like “Right foot lead on one”. Very similar to classic board drills, just no boards but still an emphasis on get off and finish.

The next group huddles after the ball of the previous group is snapped. Again I don't want them thinking I want speed and total effort to be ingrained.

SCHEMATIC AWARENESS

For teaching scheme, I start with a very simplified version of what we do; “ Who Pulls?”. For example, if we’re teaching Power, the backside guard is pulling, the backside tackle has the b-gap hinge and everyone else is blocking back. I’m still not adding a front, however I am starting to install blocking paths in their thinking. We all know no two fronts are the same, so rather than teaching them to block an even vs an odd front I start with 1st level to 2nd level paths of responsibility. Again, the goal here is to eliminate the second (s) it takes for a young man, new to the position, to identify that the defense just shifted to an even front and now he has a deuce rather than an ace. (Reducing hesitation/thinking time).

This is a very simplified version of power. “Who Pulls” and “What gap is the ball going to” are words that are constantly coming out of my mouth. K.I.S.S. principle all the way. Speed, speed, speed.

I don't think anything can replace reps in terms of learning schemes, but I do think you can maximize reps by teaching how similar the schemes are conceptually. For example, teach how similar power and counter are for everyone except the pulling guard, teach what it means when your scheme is a play- action pass and use their gap responsibility to reinforce their knowledge of all other gap scheme responsibilities.

ATHLETICISM

LIke it or not, Offensive Line Coaches often get the 'big slow, un-athletic kids' who have to block quick, agile defensive linemen. Board drills and board drills under a chute are timeless for teaching fundamentals but in terms of developing athletes that will match the athleticism of the defensive front, I train our offensive line not only to execute a down or combo block but also to react and successfully block a second level defender. In my experience, that methodology has produced overall better athletes and therefore offensive linemen. Lots of what I do is finding drills that are commonly used and adapt them to fit skills that we use in what we do. For example, we added a skip pull to a curved run as seen in the visual below.

There's a few reasons I really enjoy this drill, first off we're working our skip pull footwork with getting our eyes back inside.We’re also getting our ankles/knees exposed to quick deceleration and exploding back out into a curved run. The chasing adds a competitive component that the kids love and the kids are really locked in to when they start because they want to catch their teammate.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

It’s imperative that we understand the young people, half jogging to our station, out of breath, most of them thinking, "Coach is crazy, I should be with the running backs coach, where I was last year." They don't know what splits, depth, stance, or a cadence is, they’re just wondering when the next water break is. We as coaches somehow have to find a way to maintain the urgency of this game, the way we learned it. But also find ways to be more effective and efficient in how we do things. As an offensive line coach, you must implement the traits that you believe are most important for your system, and build from there. Don't forget, most of us were once that chunky kid, gasping for air, nervous and extremely confused. Let them know you believe in them, coach them hard and love them harder.

THSCA is asking ALL SPORTS TEAMS on your campus to participate in hosting an #OfficialsAppreciation Game. As you know, officials are an essential part of high school sports- without them, our student athletes would not have the opportunity to play the sport they love and learn so much from.

Please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Football and Water Polo Coaches- pick a home game in October. All other sports - use your first home district game to recognize officials.

• Feel free to work with the opposing/visiting team and have BOTH teams make a presentation.

• To make this a positive experience, please do not publish the names of officials in a program or on a flyer, banners, etc.

As you are planning your night, here are suggested action that show appreciation to our officials. Feel free to use as many of these suggestions as you feel appropriate:

• Have your PA announcer read an announcement thanking officials before the game or during a break in play. A sample announcement can be downloded from the toolkit on our website.

• Present the night’s officials with goody bags before the game. Goody bags can include snacks, gift cards to local establishments, team or school shirts, whistles, or anything else that represents your school.

• Take a picture with the officials that includes players, administrators, coaches, and/ or parents. Post pictures on social media using the hashtag #OfficialsAppreciation and tag @THSCAcoaches.

• Create a #OfficialsAppreciation poster that you can hang in the gym/ field for everyone to see. A downloadable poster can be found in the toolkit on our website.

• Create a graphic to put on the video board thanking officials for their hard work and dedication. A downloadable graphic can be found in the toolkit on our website.

• Have your team create a video thanking officials for their work and post on social media and/or display on a video board. A sample post can be found in this toolkit.

• Create a thank you note that is signed by all team members and coaches and presented to officials before the game, when they check into the venue, or during a break in play.

Do you have any other ideas? Will you do something different than the actions listed above? Please share what you are doing with THSCA so we can share with other coaches around the state!

YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF SO OTHERS

BY STEPHEN MACKEY FOUNDER OF 2WORDS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.”

Coaching is a hard, fast-paced, demanding, and energy-consuming profession. It requires a lot of you, and if you want to be successful on the field and off, it requires a lot of rest.

Wait what?

You might think: “Mackey! Are you serious right now? Rest is the last thing I have time for! I have lesson plans, parent meetings, bus recertification, department meetings (that should be emails), coaching my sport, and somewhere I have to find time to be with my own family. I have too much responsibility to take for myself and rest!”

I hear you. But before you tune me out, consider this: My “Big Rig” F350 4x4 dually has a 48 gallon tank, and it can travel for 700 miles on one tank of diesel. That means that I could travel from Los Angeles, CA to Charleston, SC and only have to stop for fuel four times. However, when I hook up my 44ft., 21,000lbs trailer to it, my MPG drops and on that same trip I would have to stop nine times!

Why? Is my truck broken? Not at all. The reality is simply that the heavier load I carry, the more often I have to refuel. And if I chose not to, eventually I will end up on the side of the road having a very bad day.

In the same way, the heavier the load you carry as a coach, spouse, parent, or friend, the more often you must refuel. You aren’t broken. You aren’t selfish. You are human.

REMEMBER: YOU CAN’T GIVE WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE.

If you have nothing in your physical (eating healthy, exercising, and getting sleep), emotional (dealing with positive or negative emotions), spiritual (your connection to a purpose bigger than yourself), or relational (meaningful relationships) tanks you will have nothing to give to your students, coworkers, or your family. That’s why taking time to refuel isn’t selfish– you can’t serve others if you don’t take care of yourself.

But where do we start? In an already jammed packed schedule, how do we find time

Alan Cohen

LESSON

4-L CURRICULUM VIDEO SERIES, watch it now

to refuel? Start with these “non-negotiable” times, each day, week, and month.

DAILY: 10 NON-NEGOTIABLE MINUTES

Each day, take 10 minutes just for you–at the beginning of your day if possible. This can be time in your scriptures, breathing, in prayer or just centering yourself. Visualize your day, the impact you want to make, and prepare your heart and mind to go serve. Quality over quantity really matters here. The more frequently and faithfully you refuel, the less time it requires.

WEEKLY: 2 NON-NEGOTIABLE HOURS

Each week, take two hours to be alone or with your family. Going to worship, or taking a walk at the local park; powering down your phone and getting facetime with those you love the most; or curling up with a book are all ways to refuel each week. However you do it, the goal is to set aside time to connect with those that you love the most, make a connection, and do something that is FUN! The good news is that you probably already have a rhythm like this–so to make it something that fills you with energy, look to increase your intentionality. Don’t just go through the motions. bring your best to it to get the most out of it.

MONTHLY: 1 NON-NEGOTIABLE DAY

Each month, find a day to disconnect from distractions of life to reflect on the past month and prepare for the next month. This is a great time to have a meaningful check-in with yourself and ask:

• What am I really proud of?

• What surprised me?

•

What did I learn last month that I want to put into practice this month?

This monthly refueling helps you to stay on track for your long-term goals and impact, reflect and celebrate your success and growth, and let go of the things that are draining you. This is real work, so don’t let the lies of laziness or selfishness keep you from taking care of yourself. When I am struggling with taking time for self-care, I remember the words of Alan Cohen:

“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.”

However you choose to recharge–workouts, podcasts, conversations, hobbies, or a thousand other ways unique to you– use this framework to build time to make sure you have everything you need to invest in kids and make the impact only you can make.

This article was written by Stephen Mackey

(@MackeySpeaks), founder of 2Words Character Development (www.2Words.tv), and is a part the 4L’s: Listen, Learn, Love, and Lead Curriculum written by Stephen for the THSCA I.D.E.A committee. For more information, or to access the 4L’s Curriculum, visit www.thsca.com/4l, or contact Coach Mackey directly at 979-777-3022.

THEN & NOW: WHAT'S NEW IN THE EVER-CHANGING N.I.L. LANDSCAPE

BY ECCKER SPORTS GROUP THSCA'S RESOURCE ON N.I.L. EDUCATION FOR COACHES & ATHLETES

For decades, the NCAA strictly prohibited the compensation of college athletes for things like autographs or endorsements to preserve amateurism, the concept that college athletes are not professionals and therefore do not need to be compensated beyond scholarships.

That all changed last summer when the Supreme Court upheld a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that struck down NCAA caps on student-athlete academic benefits on antitrust grounds.

In the past, collegiate athletes could be suspended or lose eligibility if they violated the rules. Now, athletes have few major restrictions on how they can be compensated for their NIL, and it didn’t take long for many to capitalize on the opportunity.

On August 2, 2021, quarterback Quinn Ewers made headlines with his decision to enroll at The Ohio State University, foregoing his senior season of football at Texas powerhouse Carroll Senior High School in Southlake, Texas.

One underlying factor in Ewers’ decision was the restriction he faced under Texas State Law prohibiting any prospective student-athletes from being compensated for their NIL prior to enrolling at a college or university. Following his move to campus in Columbus, Ohio, CBS Sports reported Ewers inked a $1.4 million NIL deal.

He wouldn’t be the first – or the last.

According to data from Opendorse, college athletes in particular earned an estimated $917 million in the first year of NIL payments alone. Industry experts project the NIL market could reach $1.14 billion in NCAA athlete compensation by 2023.

Following the Supreme Court ruling, there was no question that college athletes were part of a new era in sports, but the impact on high school athletes was still in question. States worked diligently to provide answers, and in the last year, high school athletic associations across the country have refined bylaws to clarify whether or not high school studentathletes are permitted to monetize their NIL.

It seemed to be a slow-moving process, but in just six short months, the NIL landscape has vastly changed.

In April 2022, eight states permitted high school student-athletes to profit from their NIL, including California, New York, New Jersey, Kansas, Nebraska, Utah, Alaska, and Louisiana as seen on the map below.

26 other states, including Texas, prohibited NIL for high school athletes. But if the number of changes this past summer are any indication, things aren’t slowing down - they’re speeding up.

Since April 2022, many state athletic associations, including Maine, Iowa, and the District of Columbia have approved amendments to longstanding

amateurism policies to allow high school studentathletes to engage in NIL activities.

Still others have flipped from “prohibited” to “under consideration,” meaning additional information suggests their status may change in the near future. This includes statements made by officials about changing the bylaws, contradictory language in the bylaws, and/or litigation.

If this is six months of change, what will the next six bring?

For those who attended the 90th Annual THSCA Coaching School and Convention this summer, it was evident that regardless of state status, NIL education will continue to be critical for high school coaches, administrators, student-athletes, and their families.

“All of our conversation with coaches regarding NIL has been around education,” said THSCA Executive Director, Joe Martin. “Coaches on the eastern, northern, and western borders of our state are concerned about how the adjoining state is managing NIL for their high school athletes. They want to know how to help their recruitable athletes during the recruiting season.”

To help support high school coaches and administrators throughout the ever-changing NIL environment, THSCA selected Eccker Sports as its official educational resource for NIL, providing the tools to help guide, inform, and protect studentathletes.

“We knew NIL was going to be a big topic for the high school community, but what’s been startling is how fast NIL has been adopted across the country,” said Tim Prukop, co-founder of Eccker Sports. “We already have 19 state high school associations who have enabled NIL for high school student-athletes by amending or reinterpreting their by-laws and another (IHSAA) that has ok’d at least one high school athlete to benefit from a NIL opportunity and maintain her eligibility”.

“We talked to the executive directors of the state athletic associations in Massachusetts, New York, Idaho, Oregon, Oklahoma and Louisiana – all of which now permit NIL for high school athletes – and asked them why those decisions had been made,” Prukop continued. “And they said they either don’t want to deal with lawsuits or they don’t want the state legislature to create a law that doesn’t work for high school student-athletes. They want to get in front of this.”

The vast changes in the NIL landscape over the past several months can be difficult to comprehend, but impossible to overlook. In January 2023 – just three short months from now – the Texas Legislature will reconvene for its biennial season. It’s possible that Texas will remain one of the 20 in the country that prohibits NIL deals for high school athletes. However, building awareness around the impact of NIL on prospective collegiate recruits is still crucial for coaches and the student-athletes they lead.

High school athletes and their families will have questions about NIL, and they’ll look to their coaches for guidance on how to navigate a complex environment. It’s happening now and it will continue whether NIL is permitted, prohibited, or under consideration in the Texas high school community.

“Unless you’re up to date and know what’s going on, navigating NIL can be incredibly problematic for coaches and administrators,” said Prukop. “That’s why the emphasis has been on education.”

As the leading educational resource on NIL, Eccker Sports offers an annual membership to the NIL Playbook, including a six-part video curriculum and Resource HUB with the necessary resources and tools needed to guide, inform, and protect studentathletes on their NIL journey.

Members also have year-long access to a detailed library of NIL information that includes articles, updates, and the latest state-specific information and regulations.

“Our coaches in Texas need to be the experts in NIL so they are the trusted resource for parents and athletes,” Martin said. “Not only do they need to know Texas State Law but they must have knowledge in all the states their athletes are being recruited.”

The tidal wave of change began in NIL with the Supreme Court ruling in June 2021. By April 2022, the nationwide impact on high school studentathletes was just beginning to unfold. Today, it’s vastly different and the stage is set for continued evolution. NIL education is critical, and because of THSCA and its partnership with Eccker Sports, the resources are available to help coaches navigate the ever-changing landscape.

The next wave is coming – and there’s no better time to prepare.

For more information on the Eccker Sports NIL Playbook, including the Resource HUB, Coach Assist toolkit, and comprehensive NIL courses, visit www.ecckersports.com

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