What was your first NFL experience?
My first encounter with the NFL was in 1985 when Betty Gunn, the longtime coach at Mountain Brook High School, approached me after a production of "Li'l Abner" in which I played Evil Eye Feagel. She said she was looking for someone who wouldn't mind making a fool of themselves for the Forensics Team. Who could refuse such an offer? After my first tournament, I was hooked and have been making a fool of myself ever since.
When did you decide to be a teacher and/or a coach?
I had always planned on becoming an attorney, and at the end of my undergraduate work at the University of Alabama, I decided to take a year off before going to law school. My plan was to tour Europe for a year and naturally my dad would pay for it. My dad had a different idea for my "year of discovery" - go to work. The very next day an administrator from The Montgomery Academy (who at the time happened to be the husband of NFL legend Gloria Robinson) called me wanting to start a team - I thought that sounded like a great thing to do for one year. Fifteen years later, I am still plugging away.
What is your team philosophy?
The development of life skills surfaces as our focus/philosophy. The truth is that winning a trophy pales in comparison to conquering the fear of making a presentation to a group of people.
How many hours do you spend with this activity a week?
Too many to count, but worth every second.
What is your vision for the future of the NFL?
The NFL has made tremendous strides towards expanding opportunities to multitudes of students throughout the country. However, these effects will go nowhere fast without coaches. The biggest challenge facing the NFL revolves around finding adults willing to take on the responsibility of coaching. We face a massive shortage in the coming years as the "baby boom" coaches retire. I would like to see the NFL become more involved in identifying individuals who want to go into coaching and matching them with schools that want programs.
What is exciting about being an NFL coach in the State of Alabama?
Exciting is a great word to use when describing forensics in Alabama. We ahve a lot of coaches new to NFL and they are thirsty for knowledge in their desire to help their students. We have a tremendous cooperative spirit - everyone is so nice! The best example of this involves a unique program in our state called SpeakFirst. This program was started two years ago by a tireless individual named Stephen Black who wanted to provide speech and debate to inner-city students in Birmingham. Coaches statewide have supported these students by waitiving entry fees, providing educational mateirals, and free workshopw for the students. Throughout their firt year, not one of the 10 students won an award but they kept working. At the first in-state tournament this year, several SpeakFirst students won awards. You could feel the entire coaching community applaud this huge achievement for the individuals as well as the program. Alabama is also perhaps the only state in which the State Legislature has money set aside to hlep fund our students who qualify for NFL Nationals. Oh! One more thing! The Entire State of Alabama is Fired Up About Hosting The 2009 NFL National Tournament!
What's unique about The Montgomery Academy as an NFL Chapter?
Despite having only 270 pupils in our entire high school, we have a team this year of over 90 students - and this is without a speech requirement for graduation.
What qualities do you look for when recruiting students for your program?
"If you can breathe, you can compete" is my motto. I am a firm believer that every student can benefit from being involved in forensics, regardless of their raw talent. In fact, the ones that lack a natural gift for gab are the ones that need this activity the most.
What is your favorite memory from a National Tournament?
My favorite memory has nothing to do with an award or honor - it is the 1999 Nationals in Phoenix, Arizona for 2 reasons. One, in my opinion, it serves as the model of how a tournament should run - the facilities and the hospitality were amazing. Second, myself and the 3 students with me at Nationals had a great time. From going to our first major league baseball game in a collapsible dome stadium to tubing down the Salt River, the four of us really bonded and remain close to this day. The relationships that are formed, whether with other coaches or with students, become the most important aspects of this activity.
What is the greatest challenge as a coach today?
Striking a balance between coaching and personal life. The fact taht I am still single suggests taht I am still in search of this balance. If there are any interested ladies, email me at howpitiful.com.
Are there any rituals/lucky traditions that you employ as a coach?
It's all about the bow tie!
What's your favorite weekend tournament food item?
Depends on the tournament. When in New Orleans, the lobster tail at G.W. Fins; when in Atlanta, the spring rolls at Phuket; when in Tuscaloosa, a slab of ribs at Dreamland. At most tournaments and in most cities, we are eating on the run at a place I call Chez Wendy's. As for me personally, a 12 oz. Mountain Dew and a Goo-Goo Cluster and I am good to go - I call it the Dew and Goo diet. The Dew & Goo also cures all ailments.
