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New Oakbrook football coach Aaron Johnson has high hopes the Knights can build a winning tradition in a short time. Phillip McDonald photo
GOOD KNIGHT Oakbrook tabs ex-Wofford assistant Aaron Johnson to build varsity football program
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GAME DAY Youth Sports Magazine
EDITOR & PUBLISHER / LAYOUT/DESIGN EDITOR
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Ken Finley Seth Buckley Jim Storch Bucky Rogers Ed Overstreet Gwinn Davis Pete Cochran Lorin Browning Steve Hinds
Upstate Game Day Youth Sports Magazine is not esponsible for the return of submitted photography, artwork, or manuscripts and will not be responsible for holding fees or similar charges. © Upstate Game Day Youth Sports Magazine 2015 Upstate Game Day Youth Sports Magazine is published by Timms Communications. All contents are copyrighted by Upstate Game Day Youth Sports Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine, including publisher-designed advertisements, may be copied, scanned, or reproduced in any manner without prior consent from the publisher. Unauthorized user will be billed appropriately for such use.
Coach AARON JOHNSON on a mission to team-build Knight program, but even moreso, to focus on ...
Faith, Family & Football
By AMANDA R. LEDBETTER SPECIAL TO UPSTATE GAME DAY
Throughout his football career, Aaron Johnson has held several positions – halfback, running back coach, recruiting coordinator, and most recently, head coach. But the position that influences every call he makes is the one he plays at home as spiritual leader, husband, and father. In fact, that devotion is what led the former Wofford College assistant coach to answer another kind of call to take over the football program at Oakbrook Preparatory School, an independent Christian school on Spartanburg’s westside. After seven years of coaching at his alma mater, where he helped the Terriers place fifth in the nation in rushing offense with 269.9 yards per game, Johnson resigned in May to spend more time with wife Hannah and their new daughter Brielle. It wasn’t an easy decision. Johnson said he was blessed to have the opportunity to mentor student-athletes at the same college where he was four year letterman halfback. While he enjoyed leading Bible studies with the players and traveling the country recruiting new talent, Johnson said the schedule involved in coaching at a Division I college was difficult for a new father. Johnson and Hannah, a registered nurse, began praying for guidance while he started looking into new career opportunities. Before coaching with the Terriers, Johnson, who has a degree in business economics, spent two years in private business and considered making a similar move. “As God was working, it became obvious that the demands on me at that time were not conducive to the life we were called to live,” said Johnson, who also sought the advice of his longtime mentor and coach Mike Ayers as well as his pastor Dr. D.J. Horton. In fact, Horton responded to an email from Johnson and told him about the position at Oakbrook. And just when he thought football may not be a part of his professional life, Johnson felt God leading him back onto the field and into the lives of students again. “It was Divine,” said Johnson, who said 4 u UPSTATE GAME DAY
Phillip McDonald photo
Head coach Aaron Johnson, left, and assistant Mike Colasurdo have high hopes for Oakbrook’s football program. Johnson is a former Wofford College assistant, while Colasurdo served as head coach of the Knights last year.
he felt immediately at home at Oakbrook. “I was really excited at the possibility of coaching at Oakbrook and being able to mentor young students again in such a strong Christian environment.” And the feeling was mutual. Head of School Adair Hinds said while Oakbrook is fortunate to have a D1 coach lead it’s program, Johnson’s character is what ultimately made him the right person for the position. “I knew Coach Johnson was a great fit for us when he said his goal was to mentor young people to follow Christ first and to win football games second,” Hinds said. Oakbrook started its football program in 2012 making the playoffs in their inaugural season. After graduating senior leadership and a coaching change, Oakbrook moved into rebuilding mode and transitioned to a junior varsity schedule while focusing on building from the ground up under the
leadership of Coach Mike Colasurdo. Last year, Colasurdo, who will remain as the team’s offensive coordinator and middle school coach, led the Knights to the championship game of the Palmetto Football Conference where they lost to Anderson Christian. Colasurdo said he’s ready to work with Johnson and build on the success of last year’s season. “This is an exciting time to be a part of Oakbrook football. Coach Johnson’s experience and knowledge are what we need to take this team to the next level,” Colasurdo said. Together, the coaches hope to reintroduce varsity football in 2016, but in the meantime, Johnson said he’s focusing on getting to know the players and coaches. “It’s a journey,” he said. “We’re ready to to work hard, compete, and build a tradition at Oakbrook.”
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Summer Camps Keep Your Athlete Going SOCCER CAMP June 1-5, June 15-19 $99 per camp Age 8-18 FOOTBALL CAMP June 8-12, June 22-26 $99 per camp Age 8-18 FCA SPEED CAMP June 29- July 1, July 20-22, July 23-25 $85 per camp Age 8-12 SPEED & AGILITY CAMP July 13-17, July 27-31 $99 per camp Age 8-18
Summer camps are right around the corner. Spartanburg Regional Rehabilitation Services and STACK Velocity Sports Performance are working together to keep your athlete free from injuries, and help them mend when injuries happen. At STACK, our expert coaches help athletes of all levels become faster and stronger. Learning the proper mechanics of training, developing core strength, agility skills, flexibility and balance are all part of proper training for injury prevention.
When injuries do happen, the Spartanburg Regional Rehabilitation Services team of physical, occupational and hand therapists are there to return you or your athlete to your former level of fitness. STACK Velocity Sports Performance offers a proven program chosen by more athletes nationwide. Our summer camps place a high priority on running technique, athlete coordination, balance and relative strength and an introduction to essential muscular movement patterns.
Questions? Call 864-641-7400 or visit Velocitysp.com/Spartanburg
YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP Aug. 3-7, Aug. 10-14 $99 per camp Age 8-12 All camps are 8-11 a.m. Add on YMCA Day Camp after 11 a.m. • $50/wk YMCA Members • $80/wk Non-Members SpartanburgRegional.com CHR0515
Summer tourneys heating up Tyger River Park By JOHN CLAYTON On Twitter @JCTweetsOn
Some of the top softball players in the nation will be on display in late July as the summer and competition heat up at Tyger River Park. The ASA/USA 18-under National Championship is scheduled for July 26-Aug. 2 at Tyger River Park and will feature around 100 teams from across the country. “It’s the biggest event we’ve hosted along with the NSA World Series,” Park Operations Director Trey Glover said. “Each year in November, we travel and bid for those events to come to Spartanburg County. We’re really lucky and blessed to receive this tournament. This will feature the top athletes in the country.” In addition, to the ASA/USA National Championship, Tyger River will also play host to the USSSA Global World Series July 15-19, which returns to TRP for the fourth consecutive summer, and the NSA Girls Softball Class B Eastern World Series July 2215. Those tournaments will also play games at North Spartanburg and Highway 295 parks. Two showcase tournaments are also
6 u UPSTATE GAME DAY
The NSA Girls Softball Class B Eastern World Series returns to Tyger River Park for a second year.
scheduled for TRP with the Hot Times Softball Showcase set for July 11-12. The annual Queen of Diamonds Softball Showcase on Labor Day weekend. Each event will feature a minimum of 80 teams and possibly as many as 120, meaning a conservatively estimated 8,000-10,000 people will be coming through the gates at local parks for each tournament. Glover gave credit to the maintenance and ground crews for keeping TRP fields in playing condition despite the park’s busy schedule. TRP hosts events 44 weekends each year in addition to local play throughout the year. College coaches and scouts will be
attending the showcase events as well as the ASA/USA National Championship, Glover said. “Most of those players have already committed to (play) in college somewhere,” said Glover. “But some haven’t made up their minds, so coaches will be out here watching. I’m really sure you’re going to see some of these girls playing on the SEC Network and at some of your favorite colleges.”
SUMMER SCHEDULE
July 11-12: Hot Times Girls Softball Showcase, Tyger River Park July 15-19: USSSA Global World Series, Tyger River Park, North Spartanburg, Highway 295 July 22-25: NSA Girls Softball Class B Eastern World Series, Tyger River Park, North Spartanburg, Highway 295 July 26-Aug. 2: ASA/USA 18U National Championship, Tyger River Park Sept. 4-7: Queen of Diamonds Softball Showcase, Tyger River Park
Oakbrook Preparatory School welcomes Head Coach Aaron Johnson Coach Johnson joins Coach Colasurdo to build the football program at Oakbrook Prep, one of the Upstate’s top independent Christian schools. Coach Johnson served as the recruiting coordinator and running backs coach at Woord College, which led the nation twice in rushing during his tenure. United in their desire to mentor young men to follow Christ, Coach Johnson and Coach Colasurdo welcome studentathletes who want to be a part of building a winning football tradition. Call Oakbrook Prep today for a tour. Go Knights!
oakbrookprep.org
587.2060
Financial Aid Available
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PPPlease submit your sports pics to
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LES TIMMS III photo
PETE COCHRAN / sportsplusphotos.com
The Union County Yellow Jackets captured their second consecutive State 3A Softball Championship recently.
The Boiling Springs Bulldogs repeated as State 4A Golf Champions during a two-day event at Furman University. Trent Phillips led the way for the Bulldogs with back-to-back rounds of 69 for a 138 and medalist honors for the second straight year. His brother, Trevor, finished third overall.
Many parents are concerned about injuries in youth sports. This is a legitimate concern with the injury rates on the rise. Finley Physical Therapy & Sports Training offers programs both individual and group to reduce the risk of injury.
ALL-SPORTS PERFORMANCE TRAINING
Fortunately, in addition to reducing injury risk, the total athleticism of an athlete will be enhanced. Improvement in vertical leap, total speed and lateral quickness will change profoundly given the proper dedication to our training principles.
Athletes are taught sport-specific skills that will help increase vertical leap, improve speed and core strength while reducing the risk of injury.
Call today to learn more about how Finley Physical Therapy and Sports Training will change the way your athlete performs.
Contact us today to see how we can help your young athlete.
We offer programs for adults as well recovering from or trying to prevent orthopedic surgeries including back injuries, tendinitis and other degenerative conditions.
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>> commentary
Painful knee condition often affects young athletes What is that bump below your knee? Does it hurt when you crawl, jump, run, or squat? Are you 1015 years old and going through a growth spurt? Well, you may have may have developed a condition JIM called Osgood STORCH Schlatter’s Disease (OSD). It’s not a disease like you may think but rather a condition where part of the tibia, where the patellar tendon attaches, begins to pull away. The patellar tendon is a strong tendon that helps bend and straighten out your leg and it attaches the knee cap to a small part of your tibia bone near the growth plate. Osgood Schlatter’s is inflammation of this area and it’s characterized by swelling and tenderness and a bump just below your
knee cap. Your body’s attempt to repair this fracturing by adding more calcium can cause a raised area. If left unchecked, or ignored, it can lead to a pulling of that part of the bone off. If this were to happen it could potentially require surgery, lengthy rehab, and could jeopardize future participation in sport. Year-round participation in a sport may set you up for this, particularly in this stage of youth development. It’s important to confirm the possible diagnosis by medical evaluation. Once confirmed, a plan of care will be established with the physician who may refer you to a certified athletic trainer and or a physical therapist. This team will ultimately work alongside the strength and conditioning/ sports performance coach ensuring that you progress back to normal activities in a timely but safe manner. It’s very important to understand that you cannot speed up healing but you can delay it. The most effective management may be to temporarily stop the activities that bother you. This doesn’t mean to stop exercising, but there are specific types of exercises that you should do and others you should avoid.
Osgood Schlatter’s Disease is an inflammation characterized by swelling, tenderness, and a bump near the kneecap of young athletes.
Your healthcare professional will advise what is best for your particular stage of healing and being consistent with recommendations will ensure your recovery. Jim Storch, MSPT, Cert. MDT, CES, FMS, USAW is a Physical Therapist with Spartanburg Medical Center’s out-patient rehabilitation and Stack Velocity sports performance services
Intangible traits of successful competitors As both a trainer and physical therapist, I have had the good blessing to work with a lot of highly successful athletes both on the amateur and professional level. I have observed some KEN consistent traits that I believe FINLEY have helped them achieve their goals. Today I will share a few of them with you. Problem solving – When you compete at a high level invariably you are going to fail. What you do with that failure will determine your degree of success. Pout and the competition will pass you by. Fail to face the mistakes and you’ll never improve. 12 u UPSTATE GAME DAY
Own up to your failures, resolve to correct them and keep on grinding. Preparation - Successful athletes rarely if ever make excuses to skip out on training. If you don’t have a gym or court to work on your skills-improvise. There are literally dozens of fields and courts around. So what if there are weeds or the surface isn’t smooth. It will only make your training more challenging. Too hot or cold outside? It won’t be for your competition. Always put in work. Gratitude – This sounds weird but having an attitude of gratefulness is one of the finest traits you can possess. It will endear your teammates and coaches to you (as long as it is sincere).Successful leaders are thankful for those who support and help them. Leaders get opportunities that others don’t and successful athletes take advantage of those opportunities. Rest – Yes you heard me you need to rest. But coach what about all that you need to put in work stuff? You absolutely must put in work but when it’s time to rest,
REST. I tell my athletes all the time work + rest = success. Your body and mind both need to recovery and recuperate so that you can continue to make progress on your skills. Of course there will be quite a few people who read this and use this as an excuse to skip out on training (see preparation trait above). Go hard when you work and when you’re done, rest. Repeat. Push Your Limits – No one who succeeds does it by being comfortable. Look for ways to challenge yourself. You have to become comfortable being uncomfortable. When you do then you’ll be able to handle the tough situations that will arise during competition. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a really good start. So put this down get to work, go hard, don’t make excuses and then when you are done, rest. Ken Finley is a physical therapist and certified youth speed and agility specialist. To learn more about his youth athletic development programs please contact Finley at kfinley@finleypt.com.
Holston Park may open early 2016 By JOHN CLAYTON On Twitter @JCTweetsOn
The long-awaited Holston Creek Regional Park is much more than plans on a blueprint and lines on a ledger. Construction on the $1.8 million park began in February with earthmoving and other heavy equipment turning part of a 150-acre plot of land into the first phase of the park. Mike Nation, senior project manager for Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation, said construction on the new park is ahead of schedule thanks to good weather and could open early next year. “We’re right on budget,” Nation said. “We’re going to do some things ourselves like putting the bleachers in to keep costs down. But we’re ahead of schedule. We should be planting some hybrid bermuda for the fields next month. We’re looking to play there surely by spring if not sooner. We know it’s been a long time coming for that area.” So far, the project is developing 25 of the 150 acres available. The park will include three fields -- one regulation
baseball field, a smaller softball/little league field and a multi-purpose field for soccer, football and lacrosse. It also will include an 18-hole disc-golf course, the fourth in the county, walking trails, a pond and a playground. “At first, we had planned to make this more of a passive park, but we learned that the community was not as interested in that as in getting some ball fields out there,” Nation said. Even so, planners have designed the park to appeal to everyone. “We’re trying to make multgenerational parks, so there’s something to do for everybody,” Nation said. While the Holston Creek Regional Park will have many of the same amenities as other county parks, it will also feature some views that are all its own. “The unique thing about this park is the view,” said Nation. “We’ve built a lot of the fields on the high point of the property. It has nice views of Hogback Mountain and the others up there. We wanted to take advantage of what we do have.”
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