What was your first NFL experience?
My first NFL experience was driving to the old national office building in Ripon, to drop off points sheets. I was helping my wife (Debra Weiher-Traas) strat up an NFL chapter at Sheboygan Falls High School. She started with four NFL students, and qualified one in Dramatic Interp that year to the San Jose Nationals. Shortly after that tournament, the opportunity arose to move to Appleton and teach and coach beside an amazing debate coach (Alexandra "Sandy" Hoecherl) for three years before she retired. Since then, Appleton East has been our home, and the National Forensic League has inspired our speech and debate coaching goals.

When did you decide to be a teacher and/or coach?
I was an athletic coach years before I was ever involved with speech or debate activities. However, since teaming up with my wife, we both feel it is our purpose in life to help students grow and prepare for their future. There is no greater satification than to see students mature, become self-confident and grow into successful productive adults.

What is your team philosophy?
Quite simply, our team philosophy is to "achieve success" but more importantly, to understand taht sucess is a relative term. Success is NOT measured in awards or victories, but in growth and achieving goals. Whether that goal is standing on the awards stage or just surviving their first novice round, it is important to realize the achieved success! Even that student who only prepares and competes in a couple fo tournaments succeeds, because even that brief preparation will aid them some day when they prepare for a job interview ro write an application essay or find it easier to resolve conflict on an interpersonal level. Each of these are sucesses that truly matter.

How many hours do you spend with this activity a week?
I probably spend far too many hours, but still not enough at school. I really don't believe in counting hours, not when there is work to be done. As long as there is a students that wants to work, or needs help, there will always be time. My wife and I have been told that the amount of time we spend at school with students is excessive...ok, maybe it is. But inspiration, motivation and passion do not know how to tell time.

What is your vision for the future of the NFL? My vision for the future of the NFL...I am probably unique in this aspect, but I would not like to see the national tournament get any bigger. I would prefer to have larger regional events. However, when I find the words "future" and "vision" in the same sentence, it seems perchance an opportunity to dream. So wouldn't it be wonderful if... 1) Every school(public and private) were NFL chapters, and I had active speech and debate teams. 2) Every local newspaper would have a page in their Sunday paper dedicated to speech and debate events that occurred in their region that weekend. 3)Every speech and debate coach was recruited, supported, and paid the same as a football or basketball coach. 4) Every forensic program would have no budget worries.

What is exciting about being an NFL coach in the State of Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a rich and storied tradition of Forensics, including three different state speech and/or debate associations. Yes, a Lincoln Douglas debater would be crowned an individual State Champion by three different state associations. While this may seem confusing (and it can be), it can also be an asset. There is a broad range of opportunities for students. Heck, there are 20 different speech categories to begin with, and that is not even including policy debate.

What's unique about Appleton East as an NFL chapter?
What is unique about the Appleton East program? Well that is an easy question to answer...my wife and I coach the entire forensic program together! We also direct the entire drama program, with three main state productions each year. Do we always agree? No, but we always end up with a prodcut that we are proud of, whether it is a stage production, a humorous interpretation or a public forum case idea. We work together to be greater than the sum of the parts, and to be positive and productive leaders. Speaking of leadership, on a recent bus ride home from a tournament, a speech student asked me if I had any ideas for her to use for a speech about leadership that she had to give at the National Honor Society induction ceremony. For some reason the only thing that popped into my head was an analogy of a sheperd. How the ideal leader is an individual that protects, cares for and guides those within their tending. I guess that is the type of leadership that we aspire to. So how does that make Appleton East unique? Well, it doesn't...because everywhere I look, I see dedicated and caring coaches helping students grow.The students themselves at Appleton East are not any different than any other NFL students; they work hard for their success and take pride in their accomplishments. I guess that is the thing that I enjoy the most about National Forensic League students.

What qualities do you look for when recruiting students to your program?
Do they have a heartbeat? I believe these are activities that develop life long skills, and every single student should be exposed to the magical powers that are gained from becoming involved in forensic activities! No exceptions, I believe there is something for everyone in the speech and debate world. Once we have a student involved, together we pursue an avenue that will be best suited for that individual to achieve their greatest level of success.

How has the NFL changed since your days as a competitor?
I was never a competitor; I went to a small school that did not offer forensic activities.

What is your favorite memory from a National Tournament?
They are all terrific memories. Every Nationals, every tournament holds something special. I guess if I have to identify one favorite moment, it would be the barbecue party at the Fargo nationals, when one of our humorous interp students (Jedidiah Rotzel) was invited up on stage and sang the theme song to "The Beverly Hillbillies". You see, Jed was a special student with learning disabilities and the fact that he was participating in forensics to begin with was already such a success that competing at the National Tournament would have seemed only a fantasy. Yet his dedication, effort and desire earned him the opportunity to compete at that tournament. Only a couple of years later, that wonderful and beautiful soul lost his battle with cancer and has left us only with those memories. He was all heart and genuine kindness, and to my last day I will always remember how he could make us laugh.

What is the greatest challenge as a coach today?
There are many challenges that face coaches today, but I think the greatest challenge is the work it takes to stay self- motivated. Each coach fights battles, whether it is the battle of motivating students, or the battle of gaining support from Administration, or the constant battle to gain recognition for the success or achievements of your students, we all fight those battles. But keeping ourselves motivated to fight those battles is sometimes the most difficult task. I guess that is why I consider myself fortunate to be able to coach with my wife; she is my partner, my mentor and my best friend.

What's your favorite weekend tournament food?
Best tournament food--chocolate covered, Bavarian cream filled donut! Mmm...