ALL-AMERICANS TELL US HOW IT IS DONE!

Coach Tommy Burnett, Laura Blankenship, Max Langmack, Sam Esser, Taylor Rumping, Kristina Picco, and Gretchen Gregory 

Missouri State University Handball Bears win another National title and crown SIX All-Americans while hosting the national tournament at the Dr. Thomas H. Burnett Handball Courts.  Gretchen Gregory, Laura Blankenship, Kristina Picco, Taylor Rumping, Sam Esser, and Max Langmack, along with their coach Tommy Burnett join us and talk about the secret to their success this year as a team.  Each All-American has taken a different path and road to success, thank you to them for sharing!

Next week - we get mad....March Madness!  We are going to explore the various angles of why a bracket gives us an addictive tradition every year.  We may make some predictions, too...for what it is worth!  Join us, Wednesday Nights 6:00-7:00pm on JOCK 98.7FM.

MSHSAA....MBCA....There is a lot happening here!

Thank you to our guests tonight.  The Executive Director of the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, Coach Denny Hunt was in studio talking about all of the events coming up in the MBCA and about the two Show-Me Showdown weekends that are held right here in Springfield, Missouri.  We also had broadcast powerhouse Jim Powers on as he recapped Class 1, 2, and 3 play and previewed Class 4 and 5. 

Next week - they did it AGAIN - the dynasty of Missouri State University Handball won their 13th National Title over 37 other universities and on their home court!  They also had a record selected six All-Americans.  Coach Tommy Burnett will be here with the All-Americans.  We will also recap the Class 4 and 5 state championships.  

MSHSAA Execs in the STUDIO!

Kevin Garner and Dr. Kerwin Urhahn 

Thank you to the Executive Director of the Missouri State High School Activities Association, Dr. Kerwin Urhahn and Assistant Executive Director Kevin Garner for joining us tonight and giving us a behind the scenes look at the MSHSAA ShowMe Showdowns this weekend and next.  The Basketball State Championships will be held this weekend (March 8-10, 2018) at JQH Arena and Hammons Student Center on the campus of Missouri State University for Class 1, 2, and 3 and next weekend (March 15-17, 2018) for Class 4 and 5. Go see the best of the best in the state! 

Next week, St. Louis broadcaster Jim Powers will be here along with the Executive Director of the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, Coach Denny Hunt. Good luck to all of the high school AND college teams that are still rolling this season! 

Thoughts from a Hall of Fame Legend

Coach Katie Smith representing the United States of America 

The New York Liberty Head Coach Katie Smith joins us and talks about her time at Ohio State, her 16 year professional basketball career, her plans as a head coach in the WNBA, and her upcoming induction to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Incredible interview from one of the all time greatest women's basketball players.  

Next week, join us while we visit with Kerwin Urhahn, Kevin Garner, and Jason West from the Missouri State High School Activities Association as they preview the upcoming State Championship Tournaments here in Springfield, Missouri. 

Superfans land once again in the studio!

Jay Rush, John Ford, Brian Pesek

We wrapped up our series on SUPERFANS with representatives from the University of Arkansas, Jay Rush; University of Missouri, John Ford; and the St. Louis Blues, Brian Pesek.  Thank you to Dennis Brunner for sending in his tribute to the College of the Ozarks! They were all informative and entertaining!  Thank you for all of the SUPERFANS in this series and sharing why they love their programs each and every year.  Their dedication is inspiring! 

"The button hat!"

Next week, we will have the head coach of the WNBA New York Liberty, Coach Katie Smith.  She is an All-American from Ohio State, three time Olympic Gold Medalist, WNBA Champion, and future inductee to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.  Should be a great interview! 

Good luck to all of the winter sports as they continue in post season play! 

We are LOVIN' this!

Jon and Kelly Harper

Happy Valentine's Day!  For this special episode we featured coaching couples and talked about how they make their marriage work while coaching on the same staff. Each couple expressed how they find balance with coaching and as a couple.  They are excellent role models for their players!  My thanks to Coaches Jon and Kelly Harper (Missouri State) and Coaches Leon and Dawn Neal (Evangel University).  

It's a great day to be a BEAR...and a BEARCAT....and a PANTHER!

Jeanine Scott Campbell, Betty Ward, Bill Breashears, and Marty Prather 

COLLEGE SUPERFANS!  My guests tonight were fantastic! They shared why they follow the college team they do and how passionate and loyal they are each and every year.  Thank you to Marty Prather (Missouri State University Bears), Betty Ward (Missouri State University Lady Bears), Jeanine Scott Campbell (Drury University Panthers and Lady Panthers), and Bill Breashears (Southwest Baptist University Bearcats and Lady Bearcats). It was so fun listening to them and seeing first hand their commitment toward their programs. 

Next week - love is in the air!  How do husband and wives coach together and find balance?  We will ask them on Valentine's Day! 

In two weeks, we continue our SUPERFAN series with representatives from College of the Ozarks, Evangel, University of Missouri, University of Arkansas, and the St. Louis Blues! Should be FANtastic!  

It's a bird (well there was a Cardinal), It's a plane, It's SUPERFANS!

Don Louzader, Jeff Burnett, Ethan Bryan

Awesome panel tonight!  We had Jeff Burnett, SUPERFAN to the Kansas City Chiefs, Don Louzader, SUPERFAN to the St. Louis Cardinals, and Ethan Bryan, SUPERFAN to the Kansas City Royals.  What makes them invest unconditional loyalty season after season?  They tell us! Thank you for the insight, fellas! 

Next week, we will have COLLEGE SUPERFANS!  Join us as we look at the ultimate college SUPERFANS and why they follow the teams that they do. 

Nice Call, REF!

Patrick Youmans, Sydney and Nathan Stokes

Great calls and points of view from two excellent officials, Nathan Stokes and Patrick Youmans.  Impressive perspective on judgment calls, rule interpretations, and reacting to crazy comments in the stands.  They brought up some fantastic points, it was a great officials panel! 

Next week.....do you know any crazy super fans??? Send me their name!  We are going to feature some ultimate super fans. Thanks for listening! 

Tournament of Champions Does It Again!

Jeff Starkweather and Marty Marsh 

The Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, once again, has brought a tremendous event to Southwest Missouri.  The number one attended high school tournament in the country had as high a caliber competition as it ever has and delivered on three nights of excellent contests.  Joining us on the show to recap the tournament were the directors, Jeff Starkweather and Marty Marsh.  They put a lot of work into this event and we thank them for their efforts!  56 players from this tournament have gone on to play in the NBA over the years, and this year there were several Division I hopefuls and every game was thrilling.  Listen as Marty and Jeff talk about how the teams are selected and what it takes to make sure this tournament is the best in the country. 

Next week, we are having a panel of officials on.   We will talk about rules, judgment calls, rowdy fans, and what they love most about their role in sports.  Send in your questions to acoachsperspective@gmail.com 

Ever thought about being an UMPIRE? Here is your chance!

Strike one...Strike two....ever thought about calling baseball?  Do you want to be involved in the sport of baseball in a very valuable and unique way?  Try umpiring!  If you are interested, contact Jason Blackburn and be ready for a free clinic coming your way on January 6, 2018.  Visit the website www.midamericaumpires.weebly.com for more information or contact Jason at midamericaumpires@gmail.com - don't just SAY you would like to...DO it!  Batter up! 

Olympian Courtney Frerichs In Studio!

Griffon, Jeni Hopkins, Courtney Frerichs, Greg Stephenson

Courtney Frerichs, Olympian and Silver Medal winner at the World Championships in the Steeplechase, joined us in studio to talk about her incredible journey from Nixa High School to London for the World Championships and her preparation for the next Olympics.  Her husband, Griffon, was also with us as he just finished his first full marathon!  Our co-host tonight, from Hiland Dairy, was the always informative and entertaining Greg Stephenson. 

The next two weeks will feature replays as our host will be in Rome, Italy taking her daughter to settle in for a semester of study abroad.  We will replay the sailing adventures interview with the Greg Burnett family (by popular request) and our interview with Kurt Warner and Coach Terry Allen.  On January 17th we will be back in studio talking about the Tournament of Champions. Enjoy and Ciao! 

Twas the Night Before Holiday Tournaments...

Coach Kent Hedgpeth and Marty Marsh 

Tournament time!  We are joined, in this show, by Coach Kent Hedgpeth, Blue and Gold Tournament Director and Co-Pink and White Lady Classic Director and Pink and White Lady Classic Tournament Coordinator Marty Marsh.  We also hear from some special guests on their memories of the Blue and Gold and Pink and White Tournaments, Don Louzader, Dale Francka, and Betty Ward.  

Next week - Olympic Wonder Woman Courtney Frerichs will join us along side our co-host for the night from Hiland Dairy, Greg Stephenson.  Happy Holidays! 

Talented Coach...Multi-sport Athlete...Bring it On!

Coach John Schaefer

Kinsey Sorrell with mom and dad, Sherri and Kern

Thank you to the very talented basketball coach John Schaefer - we discussed several topics and some of his formula for success. We also had 4-sport rock star athlete Kinsey Sorrell from East Newton on and learned about how she has enjoyed being involved and representing in so many different areas.  

Next week - we talk tournaments!  Kent Hedgpeth and Marty Marsh will be on the show to talk about the Blue and Gold and Pink and White Lady Classic. Looking forward to some great tournaments in the area this year! 

NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Kurt Warner Joins Us

Thank you to former NFL player and current Hall of Fame Quarterback Kurt Warner for joining us on the show.  His insights on his journey in football, the NFL today, youth sports, and several other topics were discussed.   My co-host during this show is Kurt's former college coach at Northern Iowa and respected football guru Coach Terry Allen. 

Check out these amazing endeavors from the Warner Family: http://www.kurtwarner.org/index.html and https://www.treasurehouse.org/

Next week we speak with multi-sport athlete Kinsey Sorrell from East Newton High School.  She will graduate high school with 16 varsity letters!  We will also catch up with talented area basketball coach John Schaefer. 

Youth Sports, continued....so Important!

Jack Carter, Jeni Hopkins, and Molly Miller 

On this show we continued our conversation concerning the importance of youth sports.  We were joined by the very successful Drury Women's Basketball Coach Molly Miller and her father, Jack Carter.  We discussed the value in having fun at the youth level, the psychological and academic effects, and we gave out some valuable tips for parents of young athletes. Great guests!  

Next week we will have NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner on the show along with his former college coach, Terry Allen.  Should be very interesting!  

Youth Sports....Are We Doing it Correctly?

Coach Becky Vest, Jeni Hopkins, Shane Friebe...not pictured Brian McTague

A much needed conversation about youth sports and the importance of being positive and teaching correctly occurred with an informative panel. Shane Friebe has directed multiple youth leagues at The Courts and gave a valuable perspective about some rule changes that are happening there to enhance the youth experience.  Coach Brian McTague, Glendale Boys Basketball, gave us an excellent account as a high school coach and parent along with the appreciated point of view from the college coaching world with College of Ozark Women's Basketball Coach Becky Vest. 

Next week we will continue this conversation on Youth Sports. 

Know your Rules!

Rules and regulations keep our sports standardized and unified.  The ever entertaining and informative Kevin Garner with the Missouri Sports High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) updates us on the new rules while the knowledgable former Executive Director of MSHSAA and retired Sports Director with the National Federation for High School Sports, Becky Oakes educates us on the process. 

Next week - are we doing it right in Youth Sports in our community?  Let's discuss that.  Shane Friebe, who has directed multiple youth leagues, will be here along with a panel of coaches. 

Higher Education and Athletics! Good stuff...

We are joined this week by Hall of Famer Dr. Nate Quinn and Dr. James Satterfield as we explore several topics in higher education and athletics.  These former athletes/coaches and current educators discuss a variety of topics that affect student-athletes at the collegiate level.  Listen and send in YOUR perspective to acoachsperspective@gmail.com. Great interviews! 

Next week we will have Kevin Garner from the Missouri State High School Activities Association in our segment of "Know your Rules...or Keep your Mouth Shut" as he updates us on the rule changes for the upcoming basketball season. We will also have former Executive Director of MSHSAA Becky Oakes here.  Listen in on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 6:00-7:00 on JOCK 98.7FM. 

Undefeated, AGAIN!

Thank you to JH Football Coach Bob Chambers as he discusses his undefeated seasons with Lighthouse Christian Academy and what it means to his players. 

We also appreciated the insights from the legendary Coach John Roderique of the Webb City Football Program.  He shared several reasons why his program contends for a state title each and every season.  GREAT INTERVIEWS! 

Next week, Dr. James Satterfield will be here and we will talk about all kinds of topics in sports.  Send in your questions to acoachsperspective@gmail.com!