CHSAANow

Category: Q&A

  • Q&A: Cheyenne Mountain baseball alum Brandon McCarthy dishes on pitch counts and social media

    Brandon McCarthy
    (Pouya Dianat/Atlanta Braves)

    Brandon McCarthy didn’t get to live out his childhood dream. So he decided to play professional baseball instead.

    McCarthy, an alum of Cheyenne Mountain High School, had dreams of playing Division I baseball at Louisiana State University. His freshman year, he opted to go the junior college route. He went 12-0 as a starter in his lone year of junior college ball. The Chicago White Sox liked what they saw enough to draft McCarthy in 2002.

    Throughout his career, he has pitched for seven major league teams and remained in the league for the better part of the last 13 years.

    He’s an avid Twitter user, often receiving praise for his comic delivery. He maintains perspective regardless of how well he’s throwing on any given day.

    Currently pitching for the Atlanta Braves, McCarthy took the time to talk with CHSAANow.com about topics ranging from pitch counts to whether or not altitude is really a factor when it comes to pitching.

    [divider]

    Question: Something that Colorado has done in recent years is institute a pitch count rule, getting away from the limits of innings. If you can think back to when you were playing and with what you know now, is a pitch count a better way to develop kids and limit injuries?

    McCarthy: I think that’s a really good question. And I don’t know. I think more than anything, the pitch count limits the adult influence over a kid’s career which I think is somewhat important. Being really competitive from ages 14 to 17 is a good thing for people who have aspirations for doing more. The wins and losses at that level aren’t as important.

    You get a coach, you get a parent, you get someone who desperately wants to win this for whatever reason and it puts the kid at risk. That’s what you’re protecting from.

    I don’t actually remember having innings limits when I was there, but it could be that I’ve forgotten it or wasn’t aware it. I’m not sure. I think those things are good, but I think over time I don’t know if they’ll lessen injuries.

    For years we thought in professional baseball we should come back to down to 100 pitches and let’s go backwards that way. I don’t know if we’ve seen injuries go down other than shoulder injuries. Maybe throwing a baseball is just what does it. If you’re lowering the percentage even somewhat, I think it’s a good thing.

    Q: You took the route of going to junior college for a year, you got drafted and then signed. It seems like these days, kids are going after the biggest D-I offer they can get ahold of. Is baseball different from football or baseball in that sense that there is no one path to play professionally and is it more important to find the right fit rather than the best offer?

    McCarthy: Yeah. And I think the hardest thing about being 18 or having kids that will be 18 is that you don’t know what that route looks like. So the best fit is what you think at the current moment and then four months later, it’s the completely wrong fit. I’ve heard of a lot of kids at D-I schools where it was just the wrong choice but they picked it because their friends were going there or it was the most prestigious or whatever.

    I forever will advocate for the junior college level for people who want to monitor themselves year after year. I think having to wait three years at a Division I school before you turn pro is a little bit tough for some kids in terms of striking while the iron is hot.

    A good junior college that’s run properly and doing everything it’s supposed to do to develop kids, I think you can get good quickly and it’s less of a crazy situation that the NCAA has. You have to do your research and find the best fit for you, but it’s so different for each individual player.

    Q: How did you know you were ready to turn pro?

    McCarthy: I don’t really know. My whole goal was to play at LSU, playing professional ball was more of a side thought. As it got closer, it became something I knew I had to think about.

    My freshman year (of college) I pitched really well that whole year and it was more of a thought that I might be bored if I go back. I think that’s how I knew. I had to take the next step I either had to go Division I and go to LSU or go pro. Some weird things happened with LSU so the pro thing was the next natural fit.

    I feel like I was getting better and better on a daily basis and I felt like I had matured a lot in that one year. Looking back, you realize that you don’t know half the things you think you knew so you go in kind of ignorant. I think I was just of the mentality to go to another level and be better, I guess.

    Q: Social media has become a big thing especially for high athletes these days. You’re one of the best general Twitter followers just in terms of your personality and comic delivery. Would you have behaved the way you do now when you were in high school if social media was around?

    McCarthy: That’s a good question. I don’t know that I would’ve had tremendously stupid thoughts at that time or at least ones where kids are nuking their own careers because of it. But it’s hard to say not having grown up in an era of social media. I don’t think I would be pumping out nonsense left and write. For me, I think if I just had a kids in that situation I would tell them to be unbelievably careful with it.

    Don’t say controversial, use your personality, try to always be positive. Until you’re in a place where you have the leverage to really say what you want, I guess, whether it’s controversial or not. Until you’re in that place, make sure everything is positive and make sure everything will be read by someone you don’t want to read it.

    Q: I feel like when I look at your tweets I get the sense you’re very grounded and you know who you are, what you’re doing and you also know what the big scheme of life looks like. How have you been able to maintain that perspective despite pitching in the majors for over 13 years?

    McCarthy: I really don’t know. I think my parents did a great job at giving me a life outlook that was solid. I try to surround myself with people who wouldn’t let you blow yourself up and treating you like you’re the greatest thing on Earth. Because you’re not. You’re just doing something different than what everyone else does for work.

    Something it makes you feel special inside, but sometimes you have to round that out with remembering that I just go to a different work place and that’s it. The more you try to think that everyone is just doing what they can to get from one day to the next, you’re not that important I guess, it helps tame those thoughts that I can do whatever I want and be whoever I want because I’m better than people. Once you get rid of that I’m better than anybody thought, I think it helps you.

    Brandon McCarthy
    (Pouya Dianat/Atlanta Braves)

    Q: Growing up in Colorado, is it a myth or is it real that it’s tougher to throw at altitude?

    McCarthy: Oh no, it’s incredibly tougher to throw at altitude. When you’re growing up there, you don’t know the difference because you’re not doing it anywhere else. Once you get to another level where you’re in tune with the feel of what pitches do and it’s less of a guessing game than it is maybe at the high school level, even the college level, once you figure it out professionally you realize this pitch didn’t do what it was supposed to do, that pitch went a little farther, it becomes a mental battle.

    When you’re in high school, you’re just throwing and wanting to get this guy out and you simplify it more. Once it’s more technique based, you realize altitude is an absolute nightmare.

    Q: Does it a kid to have a reputation that he learned how to throw at altitude or does it not matter at that level?

    McCarthy: I wouldn’t think it matters that much. Maybe it does. It all normalizes. So maybe if you have an unbelievable curveball at altitude then that bodes really well for you when you’re not at altitude or same with a slider or sinker. But it’s that same thing, if you don’t know any different, there’s no mental thing, it’s adjusting to the way the rest of the world is at sea-level and then all of a sudden coming back to high altitude.

    I don’t think Colorado guys coming back and pitching in Denver have had any more success, at least that I can think of anecdotally, but maybe if someone looked that up, they’d see I was wrong. I go there and I feel like everybody else does, which is pretty neutered.

    Q: Does it feel like your pitches looked the same way they did in high school?

    McCarthy: No, it’s just a throwing difference. Other than a curveball, I don’t throw anything the same way. You’ve done so much working at refining and touching and changing little things here and there that if I even watched, I don’t know if video of me in high school exists, but if I saw it I’m pretty sure I’d be shocked at what it looks like. The similarities 17 years ago and now are probably next to none other than I’m tall and skinny.

    Q: With the career you had, what advice would you give high school pitchers who aspire to go this route, whether it’s their dream school or that ambition of making it to the majors?

    McCarthy: Act like you have a job earlier than you do. It’s weird to call playing baseball at the high school level or even earlier than that a job because it’s not. But I always approaching things fairly professionally in a sense where I wanted to really work hard or thought a lot about what I was doing and then kept trying to get better. It was less of a three-hour activity in the afternoon. It was a focused three-hour activity with something specific I was trying to do with the goal always to be better than I was before.

    I think that’s the most important thing. It can’t just be something you’re doing. It has to be something that you’re really drilled in on every day and trying to get better. It’s the only way to keep moving forward.

    Q: What’s the one thing you remember about pitching for Cheyenne Mountain?

    McCarthy: I remember a lot of my senior year. I pitched really well that year and I had a lot of fun. Our team was really good. I think we lost in the state semis. As far as I know, Cheyenne hadn’t gotten anywhere baseball-wise or advanced very far. It was a surprise to all of us that we were really good and going really far. I remember that was a fun thing and the school got swept up in it.

    We had a playoff game at home and most of the school came out and watched it. It was a very fun thing that it was the first time we were playing baseball and felt like people were paying attention and that meant a lot growing up, especially in Colorado. It was just really fun to play when there were real stakes on the line.

  • Mailbag: Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green recaps first year, and answers your questions

    State wrestling Rhonda Blanford-Green
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    In this special installment of the CHSAANow.com Mailbag, we brought commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green in for a Q&A session.

    This time, we tackled questions about her first year, eSports, charter schools, “district” teams, school spirit, a shot clock in basketball, championship games on TV, and much more.

    To ask a question for the next Mailbag, use this form, or ask on Twitter:

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    If you think back to a year ago, what were you feeling at this time? How have things changed for you personally in a year?

    Pomona football team champions
    (Steve Oathout)

    A year ago, it was all about ideas and concepts. And a year later, it’s about calls to action and really delving into the responsibilities of the job. I think when you start off you have a mentality of, “Oh I want to do this, and this, and this,” but then when you get into the chair and into the daily routine, it makes it real. It goes from ideas and thoughts to action and realness.

    You can start your morning with a to-do list but then you get in the office and there’s 40 urgent emails or phone calls you have deal with. As the new commissioner, everyone wants an audience with you. People want you to prioritize their to-do list. So I’m learning balance.

    What are you most proud of in Year 1?

    The relationships that I’ve built with the staff. They are the core of the Association and helping me to execute the mission of CHSAA.

    What are some of the major things you hope to accomplish in the years to come?

    I think a main focus will be the broader education of what CHSAA’s purpose is as an extension of the educational process. We will always be a voice of reason in regards to the purpose of participation, and advocates for kids.

    Do you think we say “no” to kids too much?

    I believe our roles have changed over the years to being less regulatory, and more service-oriented for kids, coaches, officials and our school communities.

    We are balancing the mission of participation without compromising competitive equity. It’s a change in philosophy to embrace more participation — without eroding the culture of fair play.

    eSports is emerging nationally as a potential competitive activity. I know you attended a session during the national meeting about it this summer, and have also seized on other opportunities to learn more about it. Where are we headed with eSports?

    The interest has been overwhelming. We receive emails and calls urging us to explore the genre. 19 states will participate in this competitive activity in the 2018-19 season. We will take an opportunity to view their competitions and then chart our next steps as we move forward.

    More than 22,000 students in Colorado are registered gamers, which means we are missing an opportunity to connect the high school experience and educational accountability to those students. And that would be our future goal — connecting the two.

    Additionally, our job will be to dispel the stereotypes and educate the naysayers on our mission, as well as the incorporation of an activity that is on the rise with our students.

    What is something you can teach high schoolers about leadership, and what’s something you’ve learned from high schools about leadership?

    — @oh_reagan_o, Twitter

    I would tell high schoolers to lead with authenticity and empathy and serve for something bigger than yourself. The other thing I would tell all of our participants is to enjoy the high school experience, and don’t put pressure on themselves or allow others to pressure you to be anything more than what you bring to the table. Be your best self.

    As far as what I’ve learned? To be open to their interests, even if it may be counter to the historical thought process of a 100-year old state association.

    Is there going to be consideration to change the way charter schools are granted CHSAA membership, and bring them more in line with the way traditional high schools are granted automatic membership through their school district? [Ed. note: According to bylaw 600, in order to become a CHSAA member, charter schools and private schools undergo a more stringent review process than traditional public high schools directly under the control and direction of an elected Board of Education for that district in which it resides.]

    — Mike, Facebook

    For any non-traditional school that hasn’t built a foundation, we vet them to ensure that both sides think through the responsibilities and accountabilities of being a CHSAA member, because unfortunately we have had some non-traditional members not survive in the educational field, and that negatively impacted our members.

    Because of that, we feel the current process ensures a cycle of success.

    Is there a chance to play the HS 3A,4A and 5A Baseball championships at Coors Field? The @Rockies seem like a great partner to do something like this.

    — @LJmaximo, Twitter

    Grandview ThunderRidge baseball Coors Field
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Our goal is to provide the best possible facilities for all of our championship events. We will continue to investigate ways to bring a culminating championship to Coors Field. That is a goal. We would love to give our athletes that experience.

    This is a combination of questions that we got for you on Twitter, one that you actually responded to already, but it’s also a common one we see in sports like hockey and lacrosse:

    So-called “district” teams often have a lot of success, and that leads to some questioning why individual schools don’t have their own teams. What are some of the hurdles there, and are there ways for us to encourage new programs?

    The decision to add or delete programs is done at the local level. We trust that our schools look at interests, finances, etc., within their local construct to determine if they want to add or delete programs. And we support their decisions.

    CHSAA is a 359-school membership. Our office is guided by their needs, interests and wants.

    What are you doing to directly influence and improve school spirit at sporting events across the state? Most schools that do have a lot of school spirit and energy have a lot of financial backing. How will CHSAA use their influence over scheduling, postseason, rules for spectators, and school administrations to push for increased school spirit?

    — Peter, Denver

    We are excited to present this summer with Varsity Brands on a new platform about raising school spirit and embracing culture within the school, using athletics and activities.

    Pomona Eaglecrest 5A State
    (Renee Bourcier/bourcierphoto.com)

    We have other initiatives, such as #BackMyTeam, which is a social media campaign specifically designed around increasing school spirit. That will be coming back again this fall.

    In addition, we have CHSAA leadership and sportsmanship summits, which give kids tools to go back and make a difference in their schools, because school spirit is the core of inclusion.

    Are we going to have a shot clock for high school basketball? And when are we going to 30 games in a basketball year?

    — Toni, Denver

    The shot clock is a national debate that’s being piloted by some states, and I would say the Colorado membership is 50/50 on the idea. We will continue to monitor the pilot programs.

    An increase in basketball games has not been submitted by a CHSAA league, and if that were to happen the membership would vote on whether or not to increase games. It hasn’t come up for a discussion or a vote.

    More and more research shows an overwhelming connection between CTE and youth football and concussions. While there have been improvements in helmets and techniques, children are concussed at an alarming rate.

    What specifically is being done to address this and what responsibility does CHSAA own for the long-term effects of concussions, knowing now the direct correlation between youth concussions and CTE?

    — Chris, Sterling

    Our responsibility as an Association is to all participants in the area of safety and risk minimization. Our Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has become more involved in the creation of safety bylaws and mandates to ensure that student-athletes are participating in the safest environments possible as recommended by national safety councils.

    In the area of concussion, we have strengthened our return-to-play protocols, we have partnered with a company that will provide a local school tracking system for students diagnosed with concussions, and we continuously update our website with the latest information, which is accessible to the public, parents and students.

    As a longtime Denver resident, I remember all the years when KWGN-2 and later KCNC-4 would televise the state basketball championship games live. Now, the games are only shown on [the NFHS Network], which requires a high-speed Internet connection and shuts out some viewers. What can CHSAA do to help bridge that gap?

    — Richard, Denver

    We recently acquired an opportunity to partner with a local broadcast group, and may be able to bridge that gap in the future. But as always, we encourage you to come to the games.

    I know the CHSAA is limited on anything to be done about the trend of specialization, but would like to have your thoughts?

    — Jim, Castle Rock

    I think that specialization is more a large-school issue, as small schools tend to utilize all of their students to participate in their programs, and they’re needed to help those teams.

    I think the high school experience is enriched when students participate in multiple activities, not just athletics. Things like music, student leadership, chess club, robotics, knowledge bowl, ultimate frisbee and eSports. The hope is for them to contribute to the bigger picture of their high school, the bigger picture of their school culture.

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    To have your question answered in our next Mailbag, use this form.

    4A girls state swimming
    (Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

  • Send us your questions for commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green

    Caliche Nucla baseball
    (Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

    Next week, we have a Q&A set up with Rhonda Blanford-Green as she heads into her second year as the commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association.

    We’re going to turn it into a hybrid Q&A/mailbag format, giving you the chance to have your questions asked.

    If you’d like to ask a question, use this form, or ask on Twitter:

    We expect a wide range of questions, so similar topics may be grouped into one question.

  • Q&A: New CSSD 11 athletic director Chris Noll on challenges that come with his new job

    Doherty Chris Noll
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    For years, Chris Noll has preached we before me. It has been a big part in his construction of the athletic culture that stands today at Doherty High School.

    Expectations are high for the athletes, both on the field and in the classroom.

    Now Noll is taking on a greater challenge. Two weeks ago, he was named the Colorado Springs School District 11 athletic and activities director. Now he’s tasked with giving four high schools the devotion that he gave to Sparta.

    His new role will be filled with learning curves and challenges, but after a conversation with Noll about expectations for himself and the schools, he seems more than up to the task.

    [divider]

    Question: What’s the biggest challenge that you see when it comes to taking on an entire district rather than being in charge of a single athletic department?

    Noll: Truly, finding the culture and how things work at every single school. That’s going to be the biggest challenge and once you figure that out, then you can start making some suggestions and start helping shape and mold and form (each athletic department).

    Mitchell is going to be a complete rebuild with a brand new athletic director; the whole nine yards. It’s going to be getting in there and helping somebody. It’s assisting Coronado and Palmer with what they already have going and then helping (new Doherty AD) Stephanie (Leasure) get her feet under and figuring out what she wants to keep at Doherty and what she wants to change.

    Ultimately though, figuring out the culture for all the buildings.

    Music Mitchell
    (Jenn Roberts-Uhlig/CHSAANow.com)

    Q: Do you find that with a situation with Mitchell where it’s going to be a complete rebuild that your attention will be there more than the other schools because they have a foundation in place?

    Noll: I do think that (at first) I’m going to spend more time at Mitchell and Doherty than I will at Coronado and Palmer.

    At Doherty, it’s going to be mentoring and assisting Stephanie as she gets her feet underneath herself and learning the role of athletic director. The culture at Doherty is pretty much set. Everybody knows it’s a “we before me” thing and she is going to keep that. The coaches want to keep that and it’s just going to be taking it and running with it.

    At Mitchell, there’s a brand new athletic director and at the end of the day, I think they’re looking to make some major changes and do some things, so I’m going to spend a lot of time there, not only helping a new athletic director that hasn’t been in that building, but helping a guy figure out how to be an AD. How to follow CHSAA rules, how to do all this stuff for CHSAA and those things.

    I think I’ll be spending more time in those two schools, but I think I’m going to spend a lot of time in the schools in general. I’m committed to the schools as a part of this new job. I’m not a paper pusher, it’s just not who I am and not how I’m built. I’m a people-person so I need to get where the people are which is in the schools.

    Q: I always hear people talk about getting into education to impact kids, but it always feels like the deeper they get into administration, the further away they get from the kids. You’re a very student-oriented guy so what are you going to do to make sure that doesn’t happen?

    Noll: That’s part of what I have to figure out. I’m a big student recognition person. I’m all about student recognition. Part of it is just getting with the kids and getting in the buildings.

    Mountain Vista Coronado baseball
    (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    We’re going to start a program where we recognize a male and female athlete of the month. One of the schools has already asked me to help with a leadership council and come in and work with the male population of that school in terms of their captains and student leaders.

    Part of it is working with each athletic director and figuring out how I can be more involved and more active with their kids and how can I assist building what they’re trying to build with their kids.

    Q: As a D11 alum, a former teacher, coach and athletic director and now the district athletic director, do you have a strong sense of what this district is about and what needs to happen for each school to be successful?

    Noll: I do have a strong sense of it. You don’t truly understand exactly what’s going on until you get into the building and get your feet on the ground.

    We played Coronado and Palmer in almost every sport and we play them twice in most sports so I have an idea of what’s going on in those schools, but part of our deal is that we have a brand new superintendent. I got a chance to sit down today with our new superintendent, Michael Thomas. I’m super excited to work for Michael Thomas.

    He’s coming to us from Minnesota and he wants to hear our vision and he’s all about students and recognizing students and doing what’s best for students. I’m looking forward to that as well.

    I am challenging myself and I have sold it to my district that I will be in buildings and not in Garry Barry Stadium.

    Q: When you look at what you’ve done with the CHSAA Legislative Council, as a district AD you’re just as tied in to the Class 4A Colorado Springs Metro League as well as the 5A CSML. How will you make sure you’re acting in the interests of everyone and not one side over the other?

    Noll: I think there’s an opportunity for your voice to be heard in different ways. It’s obvious that I have a different voice now. I just don’t speak on behalf of Sparta, but I speak on behalf of Colorado Springs School District 11.

    I am no longer on the Legislative Council representing the 5A Colorado Springs Metro League. I think there’s a different way for my voice to be heard for our district. I’m the football (committee) chairperson.

    When you serve as the chair of a committee like football you, in essence, are serving all of Colorado football and not just 5A.

    I’m still on the basketball committee and recently, (commissioner) Rhonda Blanford-Green has asked me to serve on the handbook committee. That handbook committee is starting to get a bit of traction and it’s going to make it’s going make some policy and do some things that will help all schools.

    My voice is different and I do represent four schools now, but I do think there’s an opportunity for your voice to be heard and you just have to go about it different.

    Q: What are some of the great things going on at D11 that you’re going to be able to promote and put out there that maybe haven’t been as much in the spotlight in recent years?

    Noll: I think that’s part of me going in and finding culture. When you look at the academic success that the Palmer teams have had, they won three or four academic team championships this year.

    That’s a big deal.

    I’m anxious to see what Coronado does now that they’re going from 5A to 4A because I think their success is going to go through the roof.

    And when you look at Mitchell you have to look at what they’re doing. There’s an excitement that I’ve already felt from Mitchell. I sat in on an open community night where they selected their new athletic director. There’s an excitement there. The parents are excited. The coaches are excited. I attended a 7-on-7 (football) practice with Mitchell and met with their soccer coach. There’s an excitement there and you have to publicize that excitement.

    Yesterday we established three social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I don’t know if it’s one big thing that I know of yet, but I know of a bunch of small, exciting things and positivity and being positive is contagious.

    If you can bring energy and positive energy to things, that’s contagious and people get excited about that.

    And then you have to push that out and there and let people know about that. Our first step is getting that social media up and running, you see what we’ve done with the DHS Athletics accounts.

    It’s doing the small things that ultimately lead to big things.

    Q: I know that by the time your career is over, you want to leave D11 in a better place than you found it. What is your vision for district athletics over the next five to 10 years?

    Noll: My vision is to make sure all kids in District 11 have access and availability to compete. We have some things going right now that are going to help some of our lower socio-economic schools with their activity fees and transportation and things like that.

    One of of my big visions is how do we get some of our lower socio-economic areas the ability to compete with club sports. How do we give those kids the access and ability to go compete at that and really just compete.

    I want there to be a big push in terms of facilities. Our facilities are lacking. When you look at the number of 4A and 5A high schools throughout the state of Colorado, most of them have turf fields, synthetic tracks and good facilities. We’re behind the times in terms of some of our athletic facilities.

    People understanding their “why.” I’m a firm believer in that if you do business the right way, meaning having high-energy and being unbelievably positive and knowing your “why.” Coaches need to know their “why” and if their “why” is to win games and championships, then they’ve lost out on the meaning of high school athletics.

    Getting coaches in there to really focus on the why will have a significant impact in league standing and what we’re doing. The winning and all that will take care of itself.

    I want to make sure that we have a systematic approach in recognizing our student-athletes. How do we recognize what has been there before us at District 11 and get it back into our schools and back into our communities and get some excitement built around that?

    That’s something I want to do. District 11 athletics has always been something special. I’ve been a part of it since I was in kindergarten. I’m 46-years-old. I’ve been a part of District 11 for 41 years.

    We have to get some of that old guard back in to connect with some of our new folks and reboot what we do and how we do it and why we do it.

    Doherty Palmer boys basketball
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

  • Denver Broncos high school football coach of the week: Bayfield’s Gary Heide

    bayfield head coach gary heide
    (Courtesy of Gary Heide)

    Bayfield’s Gary Heide knew it was going to be a special season.

    He told his senior-laden team before the season that it’s okay to dream big.

    “We do dream big,” Heide said. “But, if you give it all you’ve got, there’s never a fail.”

    Bayfield (7-0) is undefeated after last week’s 21-3 win over Pagosa Springs. In 2015, Bayfield went undefeated en route to a Class 2A state title.

    Heide sees a similar confidence in this year’s team. He sees similar leadership from his seniors. 

    As a coach, Heide wants to give back to the community, to influence his players in a positive manner.

    Heide is this week’s Denver Broncos high school football coach of the week.

    The Broncos coach of the week is selected in partnership with the Broncos, CHSCA, and the InSideOut Coaching Initative, which seeks to transform the current win-at-all-costs sports culture. Find a complete list of winners on this page.

    [divider]

    Gary Heide bio

    Years as head coach: 13 (69-58 overall)

    Years at Bayfield: 6 (49-13)

    Previous stops: Breckenridge High School (Minnesota) assistant coach (1997-2001), Soroco assistant coach (2002), Soroco head coach (2002-2005), Hayfield (Minnesota) head coach (2006-2008), West Grand assistant coach (2009-2011), Bayfield head coach (2011-present)

     [divider]

    Question: Why did you get into coaching?

    Heide: I got into coaching because I felt it was a way that I could give back. To give back to my community, to help young people. I really enjoy working with young people and trying to direct their life in a positive manner in the right direction.

    Throughout my career, I had a lot of coaches that I looked up to and really admired. It always gave me a lot of motivation to be like them. I really appreciate all those men that helped me along the way. I think most of all, like I said before, is to give back and try to help young people out, to give them direction.

    And, you know what, it’s not only that, it’s something I really love. I know if I can be passionate about my work that I’m doing and being able to help people, it couldn’t be better than that.

    Q: Why do you coach the way that you do?

    Heide: I want to be a positive role model for young people.

    I want to show them that people can love life, they can love what they do, and people can have dreams and go after them. I want to show them that there are times that get you down a little bit. There are road blocks along the way, but if you love what you’re doing, go out and go for it.

    I might be repeating myself here, but I want to be a positive role model for people to know that there are people out there that they can trust. They just have to find them, and they can get guidance from. Help them along through life.

    Q: Going into your kids’ perspectives, what would you say it’s like to be coached by you?

     

    Heide: First of all, I’m enthusiastic and passionate.

    I give a lot. I’m dedicated to it, and probably most of all, I care for them. I want to see them do well as individuals.

    I want them to know that, in the end,  I’ll always love them and I’ll always be there for them as somebody that they can always trust in knowing that there’s somebody there that cares for them.

    Q: What are some of your favorite memories coaching?

    Heide: I have a lot of favorite memories. If I stick just to football, there’s not only the jobs that I’ve gotten — whether they be assistant coaches.

    I remember getting my first varsity coaching job up in Breckenridge, Minnesota. What a wonderful staff. That’s a great memory. The time that I had with those people when I was younger, and all the knowledge that I learned from coaches along the way, whether they be assistant coaches or head coaches that I worked with or was under. 

    Working under Chris Brown up in West Grand for three years and being able to coach against him and getting guidance from him. Realizing how you respect other people and everything throughout the game.

    Obviously, here. Great success here at Bayfield. I think the biggest memory that will always be with me is how the community supports its football program, supports its school, supports its players.

    Some of the games that we’ve had were great games. I can remember a great game here, a home game, against Faith Christian my first year here. It was such a rewarding experience for me and the coaches and players and community that was here. 

    Our state championship game. Going up to Platte Valley on a cold, windy day, knowing that we’re going to really find out what kind of team we are today. Just to come away with that victory is a memory that I’ll never forget.

    But every season, there are certain individuals that I never forget. Certain games in each season that I never forget. Certain adults and coaches that I never forget. Those will always be my favorite memories.

    Q: With last week’s win against Pagosa Springs, what does this season mean so far?

    Heide: Going into this season, it’s a special season. All of them are, but I knew we had a lot of seniors. A lot of quality seniors. A lot of seniors that could really play high school football and be great high school football players.

    I knew we had a chance to do well. We’ve been doing well so far. We’ve got big dreams. I told them all along that it’s okay to dream big. We do dream big. But, if you give it all you’ve got, there’s never a fail.

    Every game is big for us, and being that we wanna continue on, we’ve got to really take it one game at a time. We have to take each game for what it is each week and go out there and do our best.

    Play with the word that I call my team when I see them playing — it’s just not me, it’s something instilled in the Bayfield Wolverines. That’s just play with ferocity. In order to do that game in and game out, you’ve got to love the game and play one game at a time and see where you end up.

    Q: You alluded to the 2015 team that you had. What kind of similarities are you seeing between this year and the 2015 year when you guys went undefeated and won the state title?

    Heide: The biggest similarity that I see is great leadership from seniors. Just superb. Not only helping other kids and encouraging people, but expectations and the drive and belief in themselves. And then to be able to go out there and display those qualities on the field and really perform.

    To step back, I think if you’re going to nail one thing down, it’s that confidence and belief day in and day out.

  • Denver Broncos high school football coach of the week: Erie’s Chad Cooper

    Erie football coach Chad Cooper
    (Courtesy of John David)

    Erie’s Chad Cooper gave his team a goal during the offseason: to be a team that everyone looks at as one of the top teams in Class 3A.

    A physical brand of football, coupled with a high energy coaching style from Cooper, has Erie undefeated to start the season.

    Cooper’s team has won two straight top-10 matchups to climb the rankings. Two weeks ago, Erie held an explosive Silver Creek team to 10 points. Then, last week, the Tigers beat a top-five team in Berthoud.

    Erie has yet another test this week with an upcoming date on Thursday versus Holy Family.

    Cooper coaches for the fulfillment of impacting kids with life lessons through sports. He is this week’s Denver Broncos high school football coach of the week.

    The Broncos coach of the week is selected in partnership with the Broncos, CHSCA, and the InSideOut Coaching Initative, which seeks to transform the current win-at-all-costs sports culture. Find a complete list of winners on this page.

    [divider]

    Chad Cooper bio

    Years as head coach: 2 (12-5 overall)

    Previous stops: Broomfield linebackers and JV head coach/defensive coordinator (2007-08); Broomfield TE and JV head coach/offensive coordinator (2009-10); Broomfield offensive line coach and run game coordinator (2011-12); Broomfield offensive line coach, offensive coordinator (2013-15); Erie head coach (2016-present)

    [divider]

    Question: Why did you get into coaching?

    Cooper: I got into coaching because I had a lot of influential coaches growing up. I played football and ran track, and I had a lot of personal growth because of the coaching that I had. I believe that sports encourage personal growth for individuals.

    Coaches have a major impact on the lives of kids. I wanted to have that impact on kids. I love working with kids, I just love the personalities that kids have.

    In my opinion, those life lessons that kids learn in high school years will have a huge impact on the rest of their life.

    Q: Why do you coach the way that you do?

    Cooper: I think one way to describe that is that I’m a passionate person.

    I really have a lot of empathy for what my players are going through, and I’m a younger coach, so I think that works in my favor. I can understand and empathize what kids are going through. Try to be a good figure in their lives. Work with them, give them some life lessons.

    Q: Going into your kids’ perspectives, what would you say it’s like to be coached by you?

    Erie football coach Chad Cooper
    (Courtesy of John David)

    Cooper: I would say energetic and positive. You come to any of our practices, I try to have not just myself, but my entire staff energetic and upbeat. 

    We love to play music at our practices. I really think kids thrive off of positive energy. That helps them achieve success in athletics and for anything else. 

    My hope is that all my kids would say that same message: energetic and positive. We try to preach that throughout the entire program with all the coaches.

    Q: What are some of your favorite memories coaching?

    Cooper: Well, this year has had a lot of them. The Silver Creek game a couple weeks ago was definitely one memory that stands out. Erie high school had never beat Silver Creek up until that point, so being a part of the first team that was able to do that. 

    But then following up last week also with a win against a top-five team in Berthoud. Two weeks in a row where we had some really good memories. I was an assistant coach at Broomfield for nine years, and there was a lot memories within that, but definitely this year has been a lot of positive memories.

    Q: To start off the season undefeated, that’s obviously huge. What does that say about you as a coach and your team?

    Cooper: It’s a testament not only to what I’m doing, I think it’s a testament to what the kids are doing.

    Being in my second year (coaching), I think having a whole offseason and a whole summer, I really think the kids have done a great job of buying in. It’s led to the success that we’ve had. 

    You don’t win without players, everyone knows that. So, really the success that we’ve had is a testament to the work that they put in this offseason, and everything that they’re doing right now. 

    Q: What was your goal coming into this season? What were you telling the kids all summer?

    Cooper: Last year was a step in the right direction. We made the playoffs, we competed with Pueblo East in the first round.

    This year, we wanted to be relevant in the state. We wanted to be a team that everyone looked upon as one of the best teams within 3A. Being a physical team that runs the ball and plays really aggressive defense that causes turnovers. 

    Physicality, being a physical team, was something we really preached all offseason. With that, our strength and conditioning program was a huge emphasis during the offseason. Trying to be in shape and wear teams out with our physicality and our conditioning.

    Erie football coach Chad Cooper
    (Courtesy of John David)

  • Q&A: Lamar girls basketball coach Erik Melgoza looks back on a championship run

    To this day, Lamar girls basketball coach Erik Melgoza can’t believe what his team accomplished back in March.

    It was a low-scoring affair, but the Savages edged league rival Colorado Springs Christian 24-18 to claim the Class 3A girls hoops title. It was the school’s first girls basketball championship since 1998.

    But even though the championship win still hasn’t sunk in, Melgoza is ready to get to work on the next one.

    And he took the time to talk about how his girls get in that mindset and what exactly a championship means for the Lamar community.

    [divider]

    Lamar Colorado Springs Christian 3A girls state basketball
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    Question: How long did it take for that championship victory to sink in?

    Melgoza: It really still hasn’t sunk in. Right after the game, I kind of reflected this summer, but right after the game I couldn’t believe it.

    And even more now, I really can’t believe it.

    When you work as hard as these kids have worked and this coaching staff has worked, it’s hard to believe that a goal is finally accomplished.

    Q: Do the girls feel the same way?

    Melgoza: Our girls are pretty resilient. I think they realize it, but I don’t know that it’s really sunk in. To an extent with some of them, I really like the attitude they displayed during summer ball, because (last season) is over.

    I’ve always said that if you’re looking at yesterday then you haven’t done much today.

    I just told the girls that what we last year is over and we need to start to work again. I think it’s sunk in, but they know have a lot of opportunities ahead of them. Instead of looking behind them, they’re looking forward.

    Q: Did you find it tough to be in that championship game against CSCS having beaten them and been beaten by them already?

    Melgoza: I think it was an opportunity that was really good for us. You can look back the last few years and Manitou has been really tough and represented our league well.

    I just think having two (league) teams in the championship was awesome for us. Playing them, we really did want to play them and we felt comfortable playing them.

    It was probably a better matchup for us than the alternative. I think we were okay with it. We were very happy to be there and very fortunate.

    The kids are very focused and for us it was quite a state tournament run. A couple of things happened at the last second in both those games.

    We were just happy to be there and get it done.

    Q: Between then and now with school getting ready to start, how do you balance the duties of being a multi-sport coach?

    Melgoza: You know, I also coach boys basketball, I’m the head cross country coach for boys and I coach track.

    I just split my summers up and I’m very focused in what I do. I always don’t look ahead to the next sport.

    June is basketball. That’s all we do. Then of course I pass them off to volleyball and encourage girls to play volleyball and softball and really learn to compete in other sports. I think that huge thing for kids to learn.

    When we get them back in the winter, we’re able to compete really well.

    It’s kind of what I encourage.

    In July, I spend it with my cross country boys. Last year we weren’t as good as we’ve been in the past, but we put a lot of work in during July. We take a lot of trips, we get some altitude training in. We just get around each other and get used to each other and know what the expectations are in July.

    I have about a week off now and then school starts.

    Q: Does it help when your kids see you walk the walk when it comes to being involved in multiple sports?

    Melgoza: I think it does. I think as coaches, we sometime miss the opportunity to display that teamwork with other coaches and our peers.

    I just read a deal the other day about assistant coaches and how they have the biggest opportunity to display teamwork just because they’re a part of a team of a coaching staff.

    A lot of times with my assistant coaches, they coach. I delegate things and I don’t micromanage them.

    I think the kids see that and they buy into that. They know they can go to an assistant coach and if an assistant coach says something, it’s like I said it.

    It’s just a delegation of responsibilities. So it makes it I don’t want to say easier on me, but I feel more comfortable when I have coaches coaching. And when you allow somebody to do their job without micromanaging them, they really bind to your program.

    I’m very fortunate in that aspect.

    Q: Coaching in a town like Lamar, do you feel like there’s a stronger sense of community than what you would see in a metro area where kids might be able to choice into a variety of schools?

    Melgoza: I really do and I think my eyes have been opened a little bit as I get around the state.

    I think from 3A on down, there’s a big sense of community to a certain extent. I think it’s a little different with certain cities and certain city limits like Colorado Springs. They can get kids from anywhere.

    Manitou might be unique in that it might be mostly their kids.

    It’s a situation here in Lamar where kids are born and raised here. Kids don’t move into Lamar. These kids have grown up together and I think that’s really huge and it’s kind of fun.

    I think smaller schools, 2A and 1A, if you go to a state tournament, they’ll close down the town. I think that happens with some 3A schools.

    If you go to 4A and 5A, there’s a lot of club going on and there are so many different things like that. It’s hard to get buy-in from fans. You might a few friends there. You might have grandma and grandpa there. But a sense of community, I really don’t see.

    Q: Does that help you and your girls appreciate something like a state championship more?

    Melgoza: It really does. Talking to the girls, it wasn’t just about them and the work they’ve done.

    The community supports us through fundraisers and social media. Kids are going to the local businesses and everyone knows who they are. They’ll go and watch them on Friday and Saturday night. They ask them how they’re doing.

    It’s just a huge community support system. It’s not like the community knows of a kid, they actually know who that kid is. They know the family and a lot of times there’s history.

    I have some kids on the team now that their mothers played basketball here at Lamar. So it’s really kind of fun.

    Q: Does it make it more fun knowing you have Cassie Forgue and Cali Clark and some of those other younger girls coming back?

    Melgoza: I think the big there is that it’s always been fun for us. We’ve been pretty fortunate. We always have the same philosophy.

    If you look back in the last two years before we made it, a few years ago we were third in state, but we were always close in regional championships.

    We were losing to really good teams like Pagosa or Sterling.

    When you come back with the nucleus of your team intact, I think the biggest opportunity is going to be building some kids that really learn and understand their roles.

    That’s the hardest thing there is.

    I’m losing some role players that are just dynamite kids that were seniors and just accepted a role.

    That’s going to be the hardest thing to replace.

    Q: So how do you coach up those incoming freshmen, or sophomores, or juniors that have to fill those roles?

    Melgoza: I think that we just do the same thing we keep doing. It’s the same culture.

    We’re like every other team in the state. We have one goal in mind and that’s to win a state championship.

    That’s how you start kids off is getting them to believe in themselves. As coaches, we went to some coaching clinics this summer and we got better. I feel like the knowledge is there, but like with myself, do I always get that knowledge across?

    Am I able to teach the game and teach the kids about life? Am I able to do those important things?

    So you go to coaching clinics, you get your batteries recharged and listen to coaches who are a lot better than me and really learn how to do that.

    Q: Does coming off a state championship add more excitement to an upcoming year?

    Melgoza: Not really. It’s back to business as usual. One of the girls, I think it was Brecken Payne, said that we’ve done it. We’ve accomplished that goal so now we’re on to the next one.

    The next goal is to win a state championship. Not another one, not repeat, not things like that. That’s over and that’s done.

    It’s business as usual and we’re getting right back after it.

  • Q&A: Pueblo East football coach Andy Watts finally gives the Eagles some consistency

    Pueblo East holds the longest active state football championship streak. The Eagles topped Discovery Canyon last December to claim their third-straight Class 3A title.

    They also accomplished that feat with three different head coaches.

    So this year, Pueblo East faces a a situation that they’re unfamiliar with: coaching consistency.

    Andy Watts is looking to keep the championship streak alive and claim his second title.

    But he knows it’s going to be anything but a walk through the park.

    [divider]

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    Question: This team is going into a year where it’s coming off three state titles with three different coaches, what’s the challenge now in actually having some consistency at the position this year?

    Watts: You know, we just can’t let the past get to our heads and we just have to stay focused on what our ultimate goal is and that’s the same as it was my first year coaching. It’s to win our last game.

    Just go in and compete one game at a time and treat every game like a playoff game and just take care of business.

    Q: You’ve been around this team during these years and transitioned from head coach to head coach. What was the first thing you learned when you took the job over?

    Watts: The first thing that I learned? All the non-football stuff is the biggest pain.

    But the first thing I learned was teaching the kids to be humble and stay committed to our ultimate goal and that’s putting the team over yourself and staying dedicated to one another.

    I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned is to keep the kids bought in.

    Q: What’s your mindset going into this year with a year of coaching now under your belt and knowing the feeling of winning a state title?

    Watts: It’s very similar to last year. I know that we have a solid group of young men that have been putting in the work and I know that if we go into each week with the right attitude and the right effort that we have a chance to do what we’ve done in the past and defend our title.

    Pueblo East Longmont football
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    Q: Luc Andrada, your sophomore quarterback, didn’t disappoint last year. What can we expected from him in his junior year?

    Watts: More growth. I expect nothing but more growth from him.

    He’s a great leader on and off the field. He obviously did not disappoint in his debut season, and I expect good things from him again.

    Q: What do you have to overcome with the loss of guys like Bryson Torres and Luke Padula?

    Watts: Those young men that we lost were obviously a tremendous asset to all three state titles and they’ll be sadly missed.

    We just need guys to step up. We need guys filling that void and guys that hadn’t had to lead in the past accepting leadership positions.

    From what I’ve seen through the summer and through camp, I’m very excited and anxious to see what this year holds.

    Q: How big of a target is on your back?

    Watts: If there wasn’t a target on our back last year, there’s obviously a big one on our back this year.

    With winning it three times, obviously we’re going to get everybody’s best. We have an extremely tough schedule, so we know that not only are we going to get everybody’s best, but we’re playing some of the teams in the state right out of the gate.

    We have a tough league. I feel like there’s a big target on our back and that’s something these guys are used to. These guys coming into their senior year, they have a chance to win four state titles so I think all we can do is embrace it and run with it.

    Q: Do you feel like there’s a little bit more competitiveness and a little bit more of a rivalry feeling in Pueblo than what you see in a lot of the state?

    Watts: To be totally honest with you, I can’t speak for other spots in the state. I know that there are some leagues up north that are ultra-competitive.

    As far as league goes, obviously we’re a football and wrestling town. There’s great tradition here football-wise.

    I can’t say that we have better rivalries down here and more intense competition because I can’t speak for those teams in the surrounding areas.

    I do know that what we have here is something special and our league this year is going to be extremely competitive especially with Durango and Harrison. They were both pretty young teams last year and returned a lot of guys and they played us pretty tough.

    I expect a battle as far as league play goes.

    Q: What do you talk to your kids in terms of expectations when you’re coming off three state championships. Is that the expectation or just one of several goals?

    Watts: Like I said before, our goal is to win our last game.

    I told the boys that last year coming in as a rookie head coach that we treat every game like a playoff game. I don’t care if we’re playing a team that’s 0-5 or 5-0, we’re going to treat everybody the same and play four quarters of relentless football.

    Our goal is to go in and win every football game.

    Q: In the state title game, was there any panic in you last year when Discovery Canyon took the lead?

    Watts: You know what, I wouldn’t say there was a sense of panic. We knew going into the game that Discovery Canyon was an extremely tough opponent. They had put it on us pretty good earlier in the year.

    When they scored that first touchdown, we knew they were going to get yards and score some points. That’s just the ebbs and flows of football.

    You’re going to give up a touchdown here or there.

    I don’t think there was a sense of panic. We expected them to come out strong, but fortunately we were able to come out and execute and hold them to that touchdown.

    Q: As you head into camp, how do you make sure that the kids are still having fun and that your message isn’t stale considering what’s been done the last three years?

    Watts: I think that we just continue to keep a positive environment for the kids. Keep it fun.

    We don’t try and put any pressure on the kids in terms of expectations. They’re used to winning. We’re used to winning. Which is a good thing, we’re ultra-competitive.

    But at the same time, we’re used to having fun.

    We tell them as coaches, our job is to love them up and their job as players is to love each other.

    As long as we can do that, we’re going to be alright.

    Pueblo East Longmont football
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

  • Q&A: Valor Christian alum Wyndham Clark outlines his journey to the PGA

    Golf is hard.

    And according to Valor Christian alum Wyndham Clark, it’s even harder if you come from Colorado. But like any sport, reaching a professional level requires the right mix of talent, motivation and work ethic.

    It appears Clark has enough of all three. In 2011, he won the Class 4A boys golf championship. He recently graduated from the University of Oregon and has officially joined the ranks as a professional golfer.

    He doesn’t quite have his PGA tour card, but he is taking a path that he hopes will end with regular appearances on the pro circuit.

    [divider]

    Wyndham Clark Valor Christian boys golf
    (Cliff Grasmick/Oregon Athletics)

    Question: The path to the pros in sports like football and basketball is really transparent, but what does it take on the golf side?

    Clark: It’s definitely a lot tougher than any other sport, just because if you’re coming out of college for football and basketball and you get drafted, you’re guaranteed to be on a team and guaranteed at least a few years.

    Yet, in golf, that’s not necessarily the case. You’re not getting a PGA card, regardless if you’re the No. 1 player coming out of college.

    The process pretty much goes that you have to try and get your Web card and you spend one year out on the Web.com Tour. If you finish roughly top 40, but mainly top 25, you get your PGA Tour card. That’s one route.

    Another route that I’m trying to do is that I’ve been fortunate enough to get sponsorship exemptions into PGA events. Through that, if I play well, I can get my card based on FedEx Cup points.

    You can also earn enough points to go to the Web.com finals and from there you can earn your card.

    There are tons of different avenues to get on the PGA Tour.

    Q: When you won your state championship back in 2011, did you have an idea at that point that you were good enough and this was a path that you seriously wanted to pursue?

    Clark: Yeah, I’ve always dreamt about it. Winning my high school state championship didn’t necessarily make me believe that I could. I already believed that.

    But that was definitely a stepping stone in my career. And as I’ve played in college and played against good players, growing up playing against guys like Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas and players like that, I knew my game compared to players like theirs. I just need to play more consistent and when I have the opportunity, take advantage of it like they did.

    I always believed I could, now I just have to go out and show it at the right time.

    Q: Golf is different in the sense that you’re not directly competing against other players, you’re competing against the course. Other athletes talk about how much faster the game is at the pro level, how is golf different from the high school level to the professional level?

    Clark: From the high school level, there is no comparison other than the fact that you’re playing the same game. In college, there’s a little bit of a comparison but still, it’s definitely different.

    The conditions of the golf courses are way different. Not only are they nice and well-manicured, but it’s so much firmer than people see on TV week-in and week-out. The pin placements are so tough.

    You really learn how to manage your golf ball and put it in the right spot, you really can’t short-side yourself on tour. Short-siding yourself on tour is so bad pretty much every week because the greens are firm, usually the rough is really high and obviously the greens are relatively quick.

    When you short-side yourself, you almost have no chance to make par.

    That’s one of the biggest differences that I’ve noticed from high school and collegiate golf is how they set up golf courses compared to amateur golf.

    Wyndham Clark Valor Christian boys golf
    (Cliff Grasmick/Oregon Athletics)

    Q: Is there an advantage or a disadvantage coming from the state of Colorado?

    Clark: I think it’s a disadvantage, personally. Because you don’t ever really play at altitude at any of these events. The most you play at is maybe 1,000 feet.

    I think growing up in Colorado, not only are you playing different distances, but the ball actually spins less and is affect by the air less. So the ball goes straighter and doesn’t go offline as much.

    When you go play in Florida or other places where the air is thick, your misses are exaggerated a lot more. I think that’s definitely a disadvantage.

    And then I would also say over the years, there has been a lot of good competition but there are states like Texas, California, Florida and Georgia that have produced more PGA Tour players.

    Playing against really good competition only makes you better.

    But there are also some advantages to playing in Colorado. I think time off is huge. Having distractions from the game and playing other sports helped me. Not being able to play at all can be great, but overall I would say it’s a disadvantage.

    Q: So for a golf like yourself who is able to adjust and make it into professional events, is that more of a testament to your ability more or less overcome those disadvantages?

    Clark: I think any guy that makes it from Colorado really put in the time and work, is really talented or really took advantage of whatever college they went to. And if they stayed in Colorado then their game is that good that they can adjust to those disadvantages that there are in Colorado.

    If you can make it being from Colorado, it actually then becomes an advantage because I think you have a chip on your shoulder, it’s a tougher route. When you do have adverse conditions or just adversity, you can handle it a lot better than if you came from California where it’s 75 and perfect every day.

    I definitely think it’s a big accomplishment to make to the next level in general, but especially coming from Colorado or Utah or any place like that.

    Q: What was it like standing on your first tee box at your first professional event?

    Clark: It was pretty surreal. Unfortunately, actually rather fortunately, I started on No. 10 so there weren’t as many people on the first tee. I think that helped the first tee nerves a little bit.

    I barely missed the fairway, but I was in the first cut so it wasn’t too bad.

    But it was definitely a surreal feeling because I had dreamt about it for so long. I saw a lot of my peers getting starts in PGA events as amateurs because they had an event in their hometown or home state and we don’t in Colorado.

    I was never fortunate enough to play in one so it felt long overdue. But it was a great feeling.

    Q: Was there ever a moment during that round when you could soak it all in and really appreciate what you had accomplished at that point?

    Clark: It was tough. I struggled focusing that week, I had a lot going on and obviously it was my first event and I wanted to do well but there were a lot of distractions.

    I was out there trying to grind and get ahead and try and make the cut, but I played terribly and didn’t.

    I did make a birdie putt on my last hole of the tournament and that was pretty cool. There was a handful of people and I got a loud cheer. I at least had some positives in the event and it gave me some encouragement going into the next week.

    I went into the next week and played a lot better and made the cut.

    So I would say that putt on 18 after I missed the cut, I was able to soak it in. I didn’t play well, but it was a fun week and it was awesome to get my first start under my belt.

    Q: What’s your outlook now in terms of how soon do you want to be playing in majors and just playing well on tour consistently?

    Clark: I’d like to do it this year. My goal is to get on tour as fast as possible whether that’s playing well in my starts on the PGA Tour here in the next few months and having one really good week and getting my card, that’d be my first goal.

    If not, then try to do it through the Web.com and the dream would be to be playing next year with my card.

    But if that doesn’t happen, you have to have a longterm mindset. And mine is that it usually takes good players anywhere between two and four years. I’m giving myself that amount of time to try and make it, but if it happens earlier, that’s even better.

    As far as majors, I think that comes with getting your card and that all comes relatively at the same time. Obviously qualifying for the U.S. Open I’ve tried many times.

    That would be fun to have that be my first major, but it all happens in due time.

    Q: What would you tell any high school kid right now who is looking at becoming a professional golfer.

    Clark: I would say you have to really monitor how you practice and how you view your path to the tour. There are different routes. You don’t necessarily have to go to a top college to make it on tour. There are guys that played D-II or D-III golf that are on tour.

    You don’t have to be so concerned with where you go, but obviously some places help.

    As far as your practice and preparation, I used to just practice the things I like. I didn’t work on things that are applicable to playing golf. What I’ve learned out here are things like gaining shots on the putting green, working getting up and down from certain situations.

    I go out and have to work on hitting fairways or having to miss on a certain side of the hole. Work on my wedge distances.

    I used to just go to the range and go to the putting green and do a bunch of drills, but none of them really translated to the golf course. Playing a lot and trying to score and get your ball in the hole is really the biggest thing.

    I think that would really help a high school player and that’s what separates the PGA from the rest of the world is how they prepare and how they practice.

    That’s why they play so well.

    Wyndham Clark Valor Christian boys golf
    (Cliff Grasmick/Oregon Athletics)

  • Q&A: Eaglecrest boys basketball coach Jarris Krapcha has high expectations

    Not many people have the task of taking over a team coming off a state basketball title.

    But Jarris Krapcha does. The newly-anointed Eaglecrest boys basketball coach is heading into the 2017-18 school year as the coach of a team that claimed the Class 5A title the previous season.

    But he isn’t shying away from the challenge. Rather, he’s embracing it. As he’s gotten situated in his new role, he spoke on what it means to follow a man who went out on top and what the Raptors’ future will look like with him at the helm.

    [divider]

    Question: Not many people have the opportunity, or burden depending on how you look at it, of taking over a team coming off a state title win. What are your expectations as you’re getting more familiar with this team?

    Krapcha: I don’t really look at it as a burden. I think it’s great that I got the opportunity to take over a program that’s had so much success.

    There’s a culture in place and kids want to play basketball at Eaglecrest. The school is excited about the basketball team from what I’ve gathered so far.

    The cupboard is not bare. The senior class is really good. We have a chance to be pretty darn good. We’re going to be a competitive team.

    Q: You were on staff at Doherty when you got the head job, but you’re going into a new school and a new position. How much are you brining a culture that you want and how much are you trying to maintain things from what John (Olander) was able to do?

    Krapcha: It’s a little bit of both. Obviously, he’s been a very good coach and he’s been very successful and he’s won a lot of games. I think that the best thing about that is the commitment level of the kids.

    They’re already there. They know what to expect. It’s like, ‘Hey, we’re working out in the summer. We have open gym at this time.’ The kids know that and they’re going to be in the gym, working.

    We’re going to play a little differently than what they did. Just some philosophy differences, which should be expected.

    It’s not going to be a whole lot of building a culture. When I took the job at Mitchell, I felt like that was all I was doing. I had to start from nothing and build an entire culture.

    Doherty Pine Creek boys basketball
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    Q: For you personally, coming into a situation, what are the challenges that come into it?

    Krapcha: When you do take over for a program that’s had success and you throw some new things at the kids and say, “Hey, we’re not going to play that way. We’re doing to do that.” It’s probably natural for them to, maybe not question it, but kind of wonder that what they did was successful so why is it changing.

    There are some challenges in getting them to buy into what I want in terms of what we’re going to do offensively and what we’re going to do defensively.

    There are challenges there.

    Also, being new in the building and seeing a lot of new faces. I’ve had most of the guys, but I understand there were some football kids that weren’t around. It’s not going to be that instant comfort.

    At Doherty, I was very comfortable. THat’s something that was built over time. I’ll find my place at Eaglecrest too.

    Q: What are you seeing from guys like Victor Garnes and Xaiv’ion Jackson who saw varsity minutes last year, but need to step up and lead this team to a level of play that it’s used to?

    Krapcha: Vic hasn’t done a lot of basketball in terms of the summer. He’s probably a Division I football kid, so he’s going to camps and handling Eaglecrest football stuff.

    My only interactions with him were in May at some open gyms. He has a great personality, he’s super-athletic, he’s extremely confident. You can tell he has that swagger about him.

    Stepping into a larger role, whether that’s more scoring or something like that, I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. I can tell he’s a very confident kid.

    X is just… I’ve been really impressed with him. He can really play. He has a high IQ. He can handle it, he can get to the rim. He’s a great passer; he’s just really smart.

    We threw some new things at him offensively and he picked it up on day one.

    He’s excited for his last go-around and he’s ready to step up.

    Q: With no Colby Ross and a new coach, are people going to be pleasantly surprised with what Eaglecrest is going to do or should they temper their expectations?

    Krapcha: I don’t want their expectations to be tempered. I applied for the job wanting those high expectations year-in and year-out.

    I really think there’s pressure and all that, but no one’s going to put more pressure on me to win than myself.

    I want those high expectations, I hope they’re still there.

    There might be some speed bumps early which can happen with a new coach. I hope the expectations are still high. I think they are. It’s been communicated to me by my staff and things like that.

    And the kids. They want to win another one, so I’m excited for the expectations to be high.

    Q: How much do you know about the Centennial League and are you bracing for that challenge?

    Krapcha: You talk about the reasons I applied for the job and the league is up there.

    I wanted that challenge. I think it’s the best league in the state.

    I think that stuff cyclical a little bit, bit year-in and year-out, you’re going to have some really quality teams in our league regardless of talent. It’s going to be pretty solid.

    Last year with Grandview, Smoky (Hill) and obviously Eaglecrest, there are three top-10 caliber teams in one league.

    Next year, Grandview is going to be really solid. Overland is going to be really good. They’re really athletic.

    I like the challenge.

    Q: Is there a point that it’s going to hit you the this team just won a state championship and now it’s yours?

    Krapcha: It hasn’t yet. I get it in doses. I get it from talking to the administration, talking to my athletic director, talking to teachers in the building, or parents or someone else.

    When I got the job, my phone was buzzing with text messages. I got so many different phone calls.

    I knew right away that it was a pretty big deal within Colorado high school basketball.

    I think, having said that, it won’t hit me until that first game. I think we open with Rock Canyon.

    It’ll hit me then.

    Q: What are you going to enjoy from the rest of the summer to the start of basketball season?

    Krapcha: I’m excited. I’m a big high school sports fan so I’m exited to see the culture of the school.

    I know our football team is going to be competitive and seeing the school standing behind its athletic teams, I think that’s going to be a lot of fun.

    I kind of take July as a time to relax a bit and work on myself.

    I’m a big studier, so I’m either watching film or watching how other coaches do other things. I just worry about me a little bit.

    But we’ll hit the ground running with some preseason stuff and I’m definitely excited about it.