Where do you see the talent level is in Illinois compared to other states? It continues to grow and close the gap because of so many players, coaches and families working so hard. The expansion of teams has not watered down teams, it has actually created more strength in that there are more places for every girl to play and there is more competition to be on the strongest of teams. Thus lifting the bar at all levels.
What are the major differences between ASA and PGF? That's not what it is all about. ASA is is a quality governing body and has fought hard for the Olympic movement. PGF is a strong newer organization with a strong influence from many of the most successful programs in the US.
What got you started in PGF? Only the second year in 40 I am not coaching, so I had time to invest in its growth and direction here at a local level. As with events I have run in the past, I welcomed the chance to direct and lead things the way I like. Combining with Bill C, I felt we brought a leadership team and vision that provides a great opportunity locally and at the national level for teams looking for the same advantages. It is not nor ever will be about other programs, we compare our events only to our own standards. When I saw the last 3 years how Bill and Gerry built the DeMarini Event ... I knew it was a good fit for me.
What is the best way to ensure college coaches attend exposure events? The players and team coaches must do the proper communication leg work. Coaches come to events where they want to see certain players. It is far more managed and dissected with days out recruiting than most people realize.
Families need to understand how to increase their odds.
Where do you see softball heading in the next 10 years? Some say 90% exposure events. I know what I would like to see, but I doubt it will head that way. I do hope strong coaches will continue to enter the game to teach. I like more round robin formats with a single elim, except for national qualifiers, so teams play a more equal number of games each weekend. I would like to see more practice and drills. I do like geographic variety in events, I always enjoyed traveling and playing different areas, I think that keeps parents from building unneeded local rivalries and the bad blood at the parent level that spills into the websites. I wish their were more groups of programs, like my old American Spirit concept, where in the fall we combined players from 5-6 teams all us coaches were friends from, and travelled to a couple out of town events and just had fun. The old Morton Fieldhouse Sundays were a blast as well. I also liked bigger rosters in past so families could take a break on a weekend and rotate who would attend each weekend, so there was a balance.
Thoughts on these people:
Dan Bryant - strong teacher of skills, a little more serious than me, but fun to coach against. Would love to see him back coaching and teaching. Lt Dan, lol, Didi and I had a lot of fun with him.
Bill Conroy - Continues to set the bar higher, highly motivated to succeed, helps more kids with colleges than you are aware, is fair and supportive to work with in PGF. He presents challenges to others to be stronger and work harder, I like that attribute.
Ed Serdar- built a stable of coaches over the decades who produced great softball players, coaches and people. Still tries to live in the old message board era of DiDi, Minardi, me , Lynch, Mr T and others, but no one is still playing that game.
Bill Judge - motivated, great teacher of hitting, driven, hard working. He too is more serious than I, not that it's right or wrong. He came into the softball world with me just a few years ago and was so important in my personal life, I can never thank him enough. He saved the old Homer Hawks and now has his own Illinois Hawk program built in his image and with his guidance and leadership. We don't agree on everything softball related, but his friendship off the field cannot be measured.
Bob Landis - has built great brand, consistent, does it his way, and understands you can't please everyone. Has a strong team of helpers, and understands how to work with someone if you just call him and talk facts. Landis runs the show, and you always know what you are getting. I have enjoyed many years knowing him and working with him.
Thanks you are off the hot seat.
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