JON KITNA

Image from Getty Images

Check out this awesome story about former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna, linked here.

LIFE LESSONS FROM OLDER AMERICANS

Once again, great stuff from the genius Daniel Pink (including a book recommendation).  Check out the link here.

THE BEST LOCKER ROOM SPEECHES EVER

Kind of a cool story here from USA Today about the best locker room speeches of all time.  Check out the link and the videos here.

LADY BULLDOG BASKETBALL REUNION PICTURES

Below you will find a link to take you to some pictures from the Lady Bulldog Basketball Reunion that was held on Friday, December 14, when the Bulldogs hosted Spencer.  We honored former players and coaches at halftime of the girls game in our brand new gym at LCHS.  We were thrilled to see many former players and coaches in attendance, and we were proud to honor them at halftime; the postgame gathering at Mr. P's was fun as well!  In addition to the reunion, the Bulldog basketball teams all defeated Spencer that evening!  All photos were taken by Kent Jones of Asp'ngold Photography. Enjoy the photos at the link found here:  Lady Bulldog Basketball Reunion Pictures

MEMORABLE WRESTLING MATCH

Watch this very cool video from a memorable middle school wrestling match, linked here.

RICK MAJERUS

Image from the Associated Press/Al Behrman (http://news.yahoo.com/rick-majerus-college-basketball-coach-dies-023631014--spt.html)



Recently, the basketball world lost an icon when legendary college coach Rick Majerus passed away.  Majerus was an amazing coach and human being, and he will certainly be missed.  His book My Life on a Napkin is a great read for coaches.  Take a look at this article from ESPN, which also links more articles from people who are remembering Coach Majerus:  link

MANTI TE'O

Check out this great video about this amazing leader of the Notre Dame football team...

CHIP KELLY

We love innovative, creative people like Oregon head football coach Chip Kelly.  Take a look at this article and how he could bring "Moneyball" to the NFL:  link

CONGRATS TO FALL SPORTS

A big congratulations goes out to all Le Mars Community fall sports.  There were certainly some great achievements from boys/girls cross country (specifically, Kenzie Theisen placing 5th at the state meet), football (a 7-3 record and a playoff appearance), and volleyball (substate final appearance and 2nd place conference finish).  Great job to all competitors and coaches on an outstanding season!  Way to represent Le Mars Community!  Now it's almost time for the winter sports to continue the momentum!

HS FOOTBALL PLAYERS BEFRIEND BULLIED GIRL

Wow, what an amazing story from Queen Creek High School (AZ).  Star football players come to the rescue of a fellow classmate who was being bullied.  This is definitely worth watching and sharing.  Watch the video here:  video clip.

DAN GABLE DAY IN IOWA

October 25, 2012, was "Dan Gable Day" across the state of Iowa.  Gable is a true Iowan, a legend, and a hero for all of us in this great state.

Also, remember that Dan Gable will be coming to Le Mars on April 27, 2013, to be the featured speaker for the first Le Mars Leadership Clinic.  We are very excited!

FOOTBALL WAS MORE THAN A GAME

Nice article here about high school football and how it's over before you know it.  This can really connect with any high school sport, but football is different than the others...

AWESOME LEADERSHIP ARTICLE

Check out this fantastic article on leadership linked here.

HEARTBREAK AND HEALING (GOTTA READ THIS)

Tragedy struck Heather and Brad Bigler (he is the head men's basketball coach at SMSU in Marshall, MN) this summer when their five month old son, Drake, was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver.  Please read this emotional article linked here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN WOODEN

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

One of the greatest coaches of all time, the late John Wooden, would have been 102 today (October 14).  As head coach of the UCLA Bruins, Wooden won 10 national championships.  Overshadowing the trophies is the lasting impact that he made on his players and generations of future coaches, including Coach Kopperud:

Coach Kopp's autographed John Wooden pictures

CHRIS MOONEY'S IMMEASURABLE IMPACT

Credit: MARK GORMUS/TIMES-DISPATCH  

Check out this emotional story about Richmond Spiders' head coach Chris Mooney, linked here.

ON COACH DAVID CUTCLIFFE (DUKE UNIVERSITY)

There are some fantastic quotes in this article about a very underrated coach, Duke head football coach David Cutcliffe, in the article linked here.  Very motivational!

EVERY DAY IS FATHER'S DAY FOR GREENWAY

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Cool story linked here about Minnesota Vikings LB and former Iowa Hawkeye great, Chad Greenway.

LAYOFFS CLAIM A GREAT TEACHER

From Coach Kopperud:  You gotta love reading stories about people who are passionate about whatever they do in life, but you can't help but feel saddened and disappointed to read about an amazing band teacher in Los Angeles who lost his job due to budget cuts.  Dedicated, passionate educators mold the youth of our country and truly make a positive impact on the future of our society; to see one of our best and brightest lose his job because of a funding issue is deplorable.  Please read the article about Ray Vizcarra here.

NEW ENGLAND AND OREGON OFFENSE

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Love this article about the New England Patriots offense, with credit to Chip Kelly and the Oregon Ducks, linked here.  Play fast!

MUST READ: HOW TO CREATE AN ATHLETE IN IOWA

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Wow...you have to read this amazing article from former Iowa City West Trojan and Iowa Hawkeye, Nate Kaeding, linked here.  Always take pride in Iowa!

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO SUGGESTIONS?

Take a look at this interesting article, linked here.  So, how do you respond to suggestions?

BELONGING TO A HIGH SCHOOL TEAM

One of the greatest feelings in the world is to feel like you truly belong to a team, and there is no better evidence of this than high school sports.  Take a look at a very good article written by a senior at Marion (IA) High School, linked here.  Be a part of something greater than yourself!  Be on a team!

NICK SABAN SPEECH

Watch this motivational speech from Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban at his 2011 football camp at the University of Alabama:

YOUTH FALL BASKETBALL PHOTOS

Take a look at some pics from our Youth Fall Basketball sessions on Saturday mornings...Coach Kopp does not claim to be a professional photographer!

RAY LEWIS: A FOOTBALL LIFE

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Just finished watching "Ray Lewis:  A Football Life" on NFL Network...wow!  Here are some powerful thoughts from Lewis during the episode:

"Adversity defines true character"

"Success is one thing. Impact is another."

"Fight for who you are. Always fight for who you are."

"No matter how bad I feel, I can get through it."

"I can't rest, because it's based on a lifestyle. I gotta grind; grinding is my rest."

"You start something...you finish it"

"You ain't gotta respect me by me. You're going to respect me by what people who I have come in contact with know about me."

"A lot of people always look at me and they say, 'Man, how did you become this great football player?' It wasn't football that drove me; it was making sure a man never put his hands on my mom again is what drove me."

"I want some young man, some young woman here to say...'Where did he come from to make all of this great?'"

Also, a great story of a soldier giving his Purple Heart to Lewis was highlighted during the show, which is written about here

KAEDING ON FERENTZ

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Thanks to one of the most beloved Hawkeyes ever, Nate Kaeding, for writing this.

LE MARS LEADERSHIP CLINIC ARTICLE

Dan Gable

 

Thanks to the Le Mars Daily Sentinel for publishing a great article about our leadership clinic in April, linked here.

DAU JOK'S MESSAGE OF HOPE

One of the best articles you'll ever read is linked here.  Dau Jok's brother, Peter Jok, just committed recently to play basketball at the University of Iowa next season.

HEROIC CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Check out this article about a heroic cross country runner, linked here.

DABO SWINNEY

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Check out this VERY inspiring story about Clemson head football coach, Dabo Swinney, linked here.

LE MARS LEADERSHIP CLINIC

Dan Gable--keynote speaker

We are very excited to introduce the Le Mars Leadership Clinic, to be held April 27, 2013, at Le Mars (IA) Community Middle School and High School.  The concept behind this clinic is to offer ideas, concepts, and motivation to be the best leader possible in order to better serve others.  This clinic is being offered to anyone who is interested in being a better leader in their professional and personal life.  We have 3 awesome breakout speakers lined up for the morning "breakout session," and they are Josh Bolluyt, Mike Wells, and Dr. Carl Turner.  The big news is that we are very honored to announce that Dan Gable has agreed to be the keynote speaker to conclude the morning!

Again, we are very excited about this clinic...it's going to be a tremendous opportunity to improve and enhance leadership!  Please contact Judd Kopperud at judd.kopperud@lemarscsd.org if you have any questions or if you'd like to register.  The $20 registration fee will go towards speaking fees for Dan Gable, and if there are proceeds remaining, we will donate the money to the United Way charity.

GRIT > GOOD GRADES

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons



A writer named Paul Tough scratches the surface of an interesting topic in education today in an article linked here.  Is "grit" more important than good grades?

YOUTH FALL BASKETBALL--SESSION 1

We had a great first session of Lady Bulldog Youth Fall Basketball yesterday (September 15)!  Around 40 total girls showed up between both of the sessions, which was awesome to see.  We were also privileged to hear current Lady Bulldog senior Carolyn Ahlers as she delivered a meaningful message to the girls about teamwork and attitude.  Unfortunately we forgot to take some pictures, because we were having so much fun playing basketball!  We will shoot some photos next Saturday and post those on the blog, so check back again next weekend.

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH...AND CEO

Image from  http://deadspin.com/joe-moglia/

This is a very interesting and inspiring article about Coastal Carolina head football coach Joe Moglia, who also happens to be the CEO of Fortune 500 company TD Ameritrade; the link is here.

PITINO ON PICK-UP BALL

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino offers some interesting opinions about traditional pick-up basketball games in the article linked here

"DO" VS. "DON'T" MESSAGES

Take a look at this interesting article about the impact of "do" vs. "don't" messages, linked here

DON'T SLAM THE DOOR BEHIND YOU

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Regardless of your political preference, you have to appreciate this quote from Michelle Obama during her speech at the Democratic National Convention last week:

"When you've worked hard and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you...you reach back, and you give others the same chances that helped you succeed."

What an amazing quote...as teachers, coaches, and educators, think of the mentors and role models that helped us get our start in education.  These leaders helped us learn and grow in the field of education, while motivating us to be the best.  Someday we'll have the same opportunity to help new educators in the field as well...or maybe we are already getting that opportunity right now!

This quote also fits perfectly with what many programs try to accomplish with leadership among athletes.  Older kids should help younger kids in a program to be included, accepted, and connected; this starts (or continues) a cycle of positive leadership that is handed down from one group to the next.

BUILDING A PROGRAM

To any coaches out there who check this blog (especially those who might be turning around a program), you have to read the article here...inspiring and true:  Link

THE JOURNEY TO SUCCESS

From http://thetalentcode.com/2012/07/01/how-to-fix-a-slump/

Spotted this on Daniel Coyle's blog (Coyle credits Demetri Martin for the picture).  So true!

DIGGING DEEP TO HONOR A FALLEN TEAMMATE

Take a look at this story about Iowa City West volleyball and dealing with a tragedy, linked here.  According to Ryan Suchomel of the Iowa City Press-Citizen, HBO will air a segment on this story in the future.

JOHN WIENKE

Image from hawkeyesports.com

Check out this great column about selfless Iowa Hawkeye football player John Wienke from Iowa City Press-Citizen sports writer, Pat Harty, linked here.  Wienke played a huge role in the Hawkeyes' victory over Northern Illinois, by pooch punting a ball inside the 1 yard line in the 4th quarter, which helped Iowa win the game.  Extraordinary effort from a selfless teammate made that happen.  Also, according to fellow sports writer Ryan Suchomel via Twitter, Iowa starting QB James Vandenberg would shag footballs for Wienke when Wienke would be practicing punting.  How many starting QBs would do that for a teammate?

BULLDOG FALL SPORTS START FAST

It's been a great start for the Le Mars Community fall sports teams.  The football team is off to a 2-0 start in their new era, which is awesome.  The volleyball team had a solid showing last week at MOC, and the cross country teams are off and running, highlighted by Kenzie Theisen's record-breaking run at Spencer to start the season.  This will be a great week to check out some of the fall sports teams in action, starting with the boys/girls home cross country meet in Brunsville on Tuesday.  If you don't make it to see the cross country teams in action, then check out the 9th/10th football teams on Tuesday evening as they host Western Christian.  The varsity football team will take on Sergeant Bluff-Luton on Friday night under the lights at Jim Lorenzen Field, and the volleyball team hosts their annual varsity invitational on Saturday.  What a great opportunity to see the fall sports in action in the area this week, so get out and support the Bulldogs!

FOREST CITY 32, CLEAR LAKE 17

We have to give props to the Forest City football team...they won a huge game on Friday night, beating perennial power Clear Lake, 32-17 (article linked here).  The victory was significant for the program because it was the first for the Indians over the Lions since 1993.  The win also ended Clear Lake's 42 game regular season winning streak (since 2007).  It certainly had to be an emotional victory, since Clear Lake has always been one of the most successful high school football programs in the state of Iowa for many years and has been the "top dog" in the north central Iowa area.  Forest City has been on the wrong end of some tough battles with the Lions through the years, so to finally break through with a victory is awesome.  The outpouring of support and congratulations from former players, coaches, community members, and fans has been inspirational to witness.  This former Forest City coach is proud of his former school, community, players, and fellow coaches.  What an amazing victory for head coach Chad Moore, the Indian players, and the community of Forest City.

WORLD CLASS PRACTICE

Watch the video...how many lessons can we take from this as teachers, coaches, and educators?  Thank you to author Daniel Coyle for linking the video at his blog, posted here.  (Click on that link to read his insightful thoughts).

ALBERT PUJOLS

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Thanks to Chad Angel (one of the best basketball coaches in all of Iowa) for passing this quote along...

Quote about Angels 1B Albert Pujols from David Frese (former teammate with the Cardinals):

"What stands out to me, is that every swing he takes, whether off the tee, soft toss, or batting practice, is done with INTENSITY & FOCUS.  He's an animal, the way he goes after it. I've never seen anything like it." 

READERS = LEADERS

READ...check out this excellent article about how reading enhances leaders, linked here

FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME

Nothing like Friday Night Football in Le Mars!  Go Dogs...football is back!

BACK TO SCHOOL IN LE MARS

Outside view of the new addition at the high school

It was back to school for Bulldogs all over Le Mars today!  It was an awesome first day at each school for students and staff.  Our community is extremely supportive of our youth and of our schools, so we are fortunate to live and work in such a special place.  One of the highlights of the new school year is our brand new addition at the high school ("Phase II").  The dedication took place this past Monday night, and to read an article and view some photos from the dedication, please click on the link here.  Go Dogs!

THE RETURN OF DERRICK ROSE VIDEO

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Check out this inspiring video about the return of Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose, linked here

GIVING BACK

Check out this story about Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley giving back to his home city of Saginaw, Michigan.  Woodley is giving $60,000 to cover the costs of athletic participation for high school students in Saginaw, which is very impressive.  This is a great lesson in giving back to your community and never forgetting your roots and where you came from!  The article is linked here

IN SEARCH OF THE COMPETITIVE SPIRIT

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Check out this very cool article about former USC assistant football coach Yogi Roth as he ventures to Rwanda in search of the competitive spirit in people, which is linked here

ON INNOVATION AND CHANGE

The last topic that I will share has to do with what Dr. Reeves considers "true innovation." In order for something to be truly innovative it must be disruptive. Change is messy. If someone isn't feeling uncomfortable then there really isn't any change taking place. True innovation must be experimental. You need to be willing to try something that you haven't done before. There is a lot of failure when you try to be an innovator. So much can be gained if one is willing to learn from and admit his or her mistakes. Finally, you must be focused. Anything beyond six strategies or actions is doomed to be a failure. The idea of learning more deeply and not a mile wide and an inch deep fits this last idea well.

My challenge from this session is to be willing to think differently and to take risks for the potential positive change it can have on the education of the students under my care!

—David M. Hanson, elementary principal, Wyndmere Public Schools, North Dakota

*For a link to the entire article, please click here

CREATE

Take a look at the student-made video from Linn-Mar in this link...YES!!!

THE POWER OF SACRIFICE

Emmitt Smith retired as the all-time leading rusher in NFL history (over 18,000 yards), but he knows it wouldn't have been possible without his selfless teammates, who sacrificed and executed their roles.  A teammate who is willing to sacrifice for others and for the good of the team is a truly special teammate and person.  Check out this clip from Emmitt's hall of fame induction speech from 2010, when he thanks former Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston, for being that selfless teammate who sacrificed so much for Emmitt and the rest of the Cowboys...now this is motivation!!!

LE MARS GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW

Similar to the volleyball preview that we linked yesterday, the Le Mars girls cross country preview (linked here) also features several Lady Bulldog basketball players.  We strongly encourage our kids to participate in multiple sports and activities in our school and community.  We enjoy featuring their participation and accomplishments in these other sports and activities!

BATTING PRACTICE

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

One of the unfortunate realities of life is that some people have adopted the philosophy of "that's the way we've always done it, so that's the way we'll always do it" (sigh...).  A writer from the New York Times examines the sacred ritual of batting practice in baseball in an article linked here.  There are definitely different philosophies out there concerning batting practice, and the author examines those philosophies in the article.  Either way, be careful of falling into the mentality of "that's the way we've always done it."

LADY BULLDOG YOUTH BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

The Le Mars Lady Bulldog Youth Basketball Tournament will be held Saturday, December 1, at LCHS and LCMS.  The tournament is for girls teams in grades 5-8.  For more information, please contact Coach Kopperud, or check the page at the top of the blog.

2012 REUNION INFORMATION

Attention former Lady Bulldog players and coaches:  we will be hosting a gathering/reunion of former players and coaches on Friday, December 14, 2012, in honor of the new gym facility.  We host Spencer that night, and all former players and coaches will be recognized at halftime of the girls game.  Also, there will be a social gathering at Mr. P's after the game for anyone interested.  For more information, please see the page at the top of the blog, or contact Coach Kopperud.

THE POWER OF COACHING

A few thoughts from Joe Ehrmann from his outstanding book, InSideOut Coaching:

"But I have coached hundreds of players by now and I am certain of this:  100 percent of them will remember my name, the words I spoke to them, and the emotions generated by our conversations and interactions.  This is part of the awesome power and responsibility of coaching:  You give your players memories, for better or for worse, that stay with them until the day they die."  --Joe Ehrmann

LADY BULLDOG VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW

Check out the preview of what is shaping up to be a fantastic season for the Le Mars Lady Bulldog volleyball team from the Daily Sentinel, linked here

COACH OVERCOMES HOMELESSNESS, PARALYSIS AND INSPIRES OTHERS

Check out this outstanding article linked here

QUOTES FROM ELITE 11--PART 2

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

The second part of the Elite 11 special wrapped up on ESPN earlier tonight.  Some insightful quotes from the show:

"For you to be the very best you can be, you gotta find out what you're all about."  --Pete Carroll

"Greatness is making the highly difficult look easy."  --Trent Dilfer

"What I know comes down to one thing at the end of the day when you have enough talent:  it comes down to your personal will."  --Trent Dilfer

"Tap into your personal reservoir again and again and again."  --Trent Dilfer

"Rip it."  --Yogi Roth

"Without conflict, there is no growth."  --Trent Dilfer

UNPARALLELED POISE

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Following up on our blog entry a few days ago ("True Teammates") about Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings, a very good article has been published about their unparalleled poise as teammates during the London games and during their careers.  There are also some interesting thoughts about psychology and success in the article as well.  Check out the link here

HOW LUCKY YOU CAN BE (DON MEYER)

One of the most successful, inspirational, and courageous coaches in any sport in our country is Don Meyer, the former Northern State men's basketball coach (Aberdeen, SD).  He is truly a remarkable person, and words cannot describe the impact that he has had on so many people in his lifetime.  Please take a look at this video from ESPN, which provides just a snapshot about Coach Meyer: