LAUREN HILL

Wow, in case you missed it...what a day for Lauren Hill, linked here

Her story has been all over the sports world and the national media lately.  Check out the many stories that have been written and filmed about her.

HARRIS NAMED LE MARS SOFTBALL COACH

Congrats to Rachel Harris on being named Le Mars head softball coach.  She is a basketball coach on the girls basketball staff as well, and she will do a tremendous job as our school's new softball coach!  Check out the link to the article from the Le Mars Daily Sentinel, linked here

DALLAS CLARK TO RETIRE FROM THE NFL

Image from http://cache.heraldinteractive.com/blogs/sports/rap_sheet/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/dallasclark13.jpg

Dallas Clark will officially retire from the NFL as an Indianapolis Colt, ending a tremendous career for the former Iowa Hawkeye tight end.  Clark's moments on the gridiron will always be remembered, especially by Hawkeye and Colt fans, but more importantly Dallas Clark is one of the classiest individuals you will ever meet.  He is the epitome of integrity, perseverance, hard work, and character.  Check out this article and commentary from Cedar Rapids Gazette sports writer Marc Morehouse, linked here, and the video link of his retirement speech:

SNOW VALLEY CAMP PICS

It was a great day at the LCHS gyms, as Snow Valley Shooting Camp made its way to northwest Iowa for a camp in Le Mars.  Over 50 campers received instruction on the finer points in shooting, gaining valuable tips and knowledge that will help them as shooters.  Check out a few pictures from the camp:

DMR: CULTURE OF COMPETITION IN YOUTH SPORTS IN IOWA

The Des Moines Register is examining youth sports in Iowa with articles about different aspects of youth sports in Iowa.  Check out this well-written piece about the culture of competition in our state's youth sports, linked here

NEW PRAGUE (MN) BASEBALL (AND MULTISPORT ATHLETES)

Kind of a cool article about the New Prague (MN) baseball team's turnaround this season, but pay special attention to the comments and insights about multisport athletes on page 2 of the article, near the end of the article...very interesting comments about playing multiple sports.  Check out the link here

DON MEYER

Sadly, legendary basketball coach Don Meyer passed away at the age of 69.  He accumulated many wins on the court, but more importantly, his legacy of impacting the lives off the court will live on for future generations.  Check out these two videos about Coach Meyer:

HOW 5 FOOT 5 BRANDON TODD LEARNED TO DUNK A BASKETBALL

Check out this fascinating and inspiring video, linked here

KEVIN DURANT MVP ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

In case you haven't seen it yet, check out Kevin Durant's MVP acceptance speech:

DAVID KREJCI

Check out some inspiring thoughts from Boston Bruins center David Krejci as they battle in the NHL playoffs:

"But you've got to stick with it, play smart and have in the back of your head that you're playing for the team and not for yourself, so when something happens, you've got to suck it up and try to do everything you can to help your team win."

POST-SPRING THOUGHTS FROM NICK SABAN

(AP Photo by April L. Brown)

Some great thoughts here from Nick Saban as the Crimson Tide wrapped up spring football:

“I think the challenge for our team is that if you want to continue to have success on a consistent basis, then everybody’s got to buy into the process of the system of what we do. You can’t start questioning it. You got to buy into it and you got to believe in it. Everybody’s got to be a team guy. Everybody’s got to check their ego at the door. There can’t be any of that ‘what about me stuff’ going on. Everything’s got to start with ‘I got to be the best player that I can be for the team.’ Everybody’s got to ask themselves ‘I am ____.’ I am what? … because everybody’s got to have a common belief in the things that have made us a good program here. I’m talking about things like toughness, hard work, giving effort, finishing, finishing plays, finishing games, the vision of the standard that we have for the relentless and competitive teams that we’ve had in the past.”

RUSSELL WILSON

Photo:  Kevin Casey/Getty Images

Great stuff here from Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson:

“The biggest thing is what you do every day. When you wake up, is it always turned on, or do you have to figure it out? For me, I’m such a self-motivator that every time I wake up, every time that I drive to the facility, it’s already on and never really shuts off for me. And being a quarterback, the other ten guys in the huddle, how can I make them better? And being selfless. You have to have that sacrifice at the end of the day. Some things you sometimes may not want to do, but you have to do them to be prepared and when you’re prepared, you’re never nervous. That’s the big thing about tonight (Final Four).”

The link can be found here

RGIII

Check out these motivational comments from Washington Redskins DB Ryan Clark on Robert Griffin III (RGIII)...

"We hung up the phone and it was so funny. Like two minutes later, he was like, 'Alright, let's go to work.' I think that's the type of guy he is. He's about work. Seeing him in the building these two days, he's the first guy in there. When I'm leaving, he's still in there stretching or doing more work. He's the guy leading the sprints today when we were running. He's a guy people will follow because of the way he works. It's not about all the outside stuff. He created a logo. So what. It just gives people things to talk about."

The link can be found here

STEPHEN CURRY--SUCCESS IS NOT AN ACCIDENT

Check out this video about Stephen Curry and what it has taken him to achieve a great level of success, narrated mostly by basketball guru and trainer Alan Stein.  Well worth the few minutes to watch and listen...

TOM IZZO ON TOUGHNESS

AP File Photo

These words about toughness from Tom Izzo were part of an emotional speech that he gave at a vigil, following the passing of Lacey Holsworth:

“Her parents told me tonight she was smiling when she died,” he said. “I’m not sure I would be that tough. I’m not sure my players would. And I’m not sure you would. So if you can take something from a bad situation and make it good — when you’re struggling, finals coming up, tough times, something going wrong at home — think how lucky you are to have what you have.

“And learn from her that you don’t have to be the biggest, the strongest to be tough. You just got to have a mentality. And mentality has no size. I know they want me to tell you to try not to shed a lot of tears over it because she got to live her last month like no people in America. And we were all part of that.”

The link to the speech from Izzo can be found here

KOBE BRYANT

Kobe Bryant's career in basketball has been spectacular.  Fans will always remember his clutch shots, highlight-reel dunks, fadeaway jumpers, and the championships.  What people don't see is the behind-the-scenes incredible work ethic of this future Hall of Famer.  To gain an insight through a story about Kobe's work ethic, check out this story from a professional trainer who worked with Kobe, linked here

LACEY HOLSWORTH

Photo:  Brian Spurlock/USA Today

The deeply sad news of the passing of Lacey Holsworth has impacted people across the country.  To read more about this courageous girl and her story and to view videos from ESPN, click on the link here

THE GIFT OF LIFE

Check out this story and video about how, after a tragic death, one person has saved many lives through being an organ donor.  This organ donor is a former football player that I (Coach Kopp) had the privilege and honor of coaching at Forest City High School.  This young man's name was Jesse Jorgensen, and he was not only an outstanding football player, but he was a special individual that I will always remember.  His life was tragically cut short at a young age, but he has saved many lives through his willingness to be an organ donor.  The link to the story can be found here

#TEAMPAT

The support will continually be there for Patrick McCaffery, and that includes LA Clippers star Chris Paul:  link

#teampat

LADY BULLDOGS DISTRIBUTE POSTSEASON AWARDS

It was a great night at the Le Mars Lady Bulldog Basketball awards banquet, held at LCHS.  To read an article about the event, click on the link here

QUOTE FROM EDDIE REESE

Great quote about competing from Eddie Reese (successful swimming and diving coach):

"The hardest skill to acquire in this sport is the one where you compete all out, give it all you have, and you are still getting beat no matter what you do.  When you have the killer instinct to fight through that, it is very special."

THE INCREDIBLE ADREIAN PAYNE STORY

Take the time to read this amazing story about Michigan State men's basketball star Adreian Payne, linked here

DAVID TAYLOR

Photo by Ginger Robinson

Penn State national champion wrestler David Taylor has had a remarkable college wrestling career, dominating his opponents and racking up bonus points with convincing wins.  These thoughts from Taylor are fantastic from a competitive standpoint of what he is always seeking in every match:

"I've had the same mentality since I was eight years old and I've tried to keep that as I went through high school and college.  There's always that moment when you're like, 'Maybe I'll win by a couple points.'  But there's a time in a match where you can win by a couple or you can win by eight."

FRAN MCCAFFERY AND KIRK FERENTZ

Take a few minutes to read both of these incredible, connected stories about Iowa basketball coach Fran McCaffery and Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz.  The first article is linked here and the second article is linked here

MORE ON PLAYING YOUR ROLE

We'll follow up the article from a couple days ago about "Accepting Your Role" with another article about how vital role players are to the success of a team.  Check out the article linked here

MENDOTA HIGH SCHOOL (CA) FOOTBALL

Take the time to watch this inspiring feature from ESPN on the Mendota High School football team in California.  The link is here

ACCEPTING YOUR ROLE

Treynor Cardinals

This article is a must-read...the Treynor (Iowa) boys basketball team just finished 3rd place at the Iowa boys State Basketball Tournament in Class 2A, largely in part because of a senior who accepted his role for the good of the team.  This is a great example of what happens when players accept their roles and lead with a positive example for all to follow.  Check out this fantastic article, linked here

CANBY LANCERS BOYS BASKETBALL

This is a must-see story out of the tiny southwest Minnesota town of Canby.  The boys basketball team has qualified for the state tournament for the first time in 63 years, losing in the opening round of the state tournament in triple overtime at Williams Arena.  All achievements and results on the court aside, the reason this is a must-see is because of the courage, perseverance, and spirit of the team's head coach and players.  This story is personal to me (Coach Kopp) as well because the head coach and his family are close friends of my family, and I knew the head coach's son Jake very well since childhood...Jake was only one year older than me when he passed away last summer after a courageous battle with cancer.  The team dedicated their magical season to the memory of Jake.  To watch this story, click on the link here

BLAKE GRIFFIN QUOTE

Getty Images

"The competitor to be feared the most is the one who never worries about others at all, and goes on making himself better all the time."  --Blake Griffin

STUART SCOTT

Image from Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN personality and anchor Stuart Scott is bravely battling cancer for a third time.  Check out this fantastic and inspiring article from The New York Times written about Scott, linked here

LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM NICK SABAN

(AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Alabama head football coach Nick Saban is one of the most successful college football coaches of all-time.  To read more about Saban and his lessons of leadership and success, here is a very good article from 2012, linked here

DOUG MCDERMOTT

There have been tons of stories written about Creighton star Doug McDermott, but this article could be the best.  Check it out, linked here.

What an awesome quote from the article:  "Doug is successful because he looks at practice as a minimum job description." (Creighton AD Bruce Rasmussen)

JIM KELLY: THE EPITOME OF TOUGHNESS

Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly has shown incredible toughness in his life, battling adversity every step of the way.  Check out this great ESPN article written about Kelly, linked here

THE IMPACT OF E. WAYNE COOLEY ON STATE GIRLS BASKETBALL

E. Wayne Cooley video

DAVID SHAW: CAN FOOTBALL CHANGE THE WORLD?

Stanford head football coach David Shaw provides some valuable and thought-provoking insights into a variety of topics in this Stanford TED talk.