I’ve got a lot of random thoughts on sports this week. I’m hav ing to work hard at wrapping my mind around the success of our Central Texas neighbors, the Aggies in Omaha this spring. They are currently playing Tennessee in the College World Series.
As I write this, they are tied one game a piece and will play Monday night in a winner-take-all game three.
I bleed purple and I am struggling with celebrating the success of Texas A&M this year because their head baseball coach left TCU to coach the Aggies. I hope he is at least wearing a purple T-shirt under his pinstripes. —ka— I got to hang out at the fourth annual Fit 22 Football Camp that was held at Tiger Stadium this past weekend.
This camp is put on by former Tiger and current Thorndale coach Deron Clay. There were a total of 44 junior high and high school student athletes in shorts and cleats on the turf working out for a variety of coaches from all across the state on Saturday.
The vibe and energy was so good. I’m sure it comes from the top down, Coach Clay is one of those motivators that makes you want to do your best. You want to play for him and the staff he has surrounded himself with has taken on that persona.
There was a lot of oneon- one instruction, friendly competition and challenges to get better.
Fit 22 provided breakout sessions for both sides of the ball and all positions along with plenty of water breaks.
Coach Clay has a vision and is building something to help kids both as athletes and as people.
He has created two awards that he gives out at each camp. This year he recognized three of his former players from Thorndale and named these awards after them for their leadership skills, hard work and dedication.
Congratulations to Aiden McRae, Branson McCoy and Carson McCoy for this recognition.
Thank s Coach Clay for bringing this camp to Rockdale. —ka— Did you know Mrs. Tiffany Whitsel, who is one of Rockdale’s assistant superintendents, was once the tallest girl in all of Arkansas when she was in high school?
This allowed her to be recruited by famed LSU women’s basketball coach Sue Gunter.
Mrs. Whitsel played three years for the Tigers before finishing her collegiate career at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Coach Gunter let Tiffany know she wanted her to play in Baton Rouge by sharing, “You can coach a lot of things but you can’t coach height.”
This 6’5” baller was recruited by every school in the SEC at the time except Tennessee (one more reason to root for the Aggies and not the Volunteers). Basketball kept her busy in school and so a pre-med major became education and we are thankful for that.
Before being a principal and moving into administration, Tiffany coached and taught at the high school level.
Rockdale has a lot of coaches and teachers that played college ball including Hunter Hamrick, Rene Muniz, Ethan Brinkley and even intermediate teacher Jenice Mead played softball while getting her degree. (Go Greyhounds!) I know I’m leaving some out, but my point is we have some stud athletes coaching and teaching in our school system.
Those a re your fun sports facts for the week!
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