High School Athlete Jay Spitzer

Jayton Head Football Coach Josh Stanaland hops on the mic for episode 10 of The High School Athlete Podcast. Time flew by and we were not able to dive into some of the things that I had prepared but that simply means we will record episode 2 with Coach Stanaland in the future. Josh allowed us into his life as he grew up a Jayton Jaybird, graduated a Jaybird and came back where he has coached for the last 18 years. Yes, you read correctly, Coach Stanaland has been a Jayton Jaybird in every sense of the wording from beginning to present day. Even better, Stanaland is coaching beside long time friend and teammate Ryan Bleiker who serves as the head basketball coach and offensive coordinator for the Jaybirds. Philosophy is a great topic and one that I believe coaches should be asked. Coach allowed a genuine look into his personal thoughts and shifts in philosophy as he embarks on year 19. At the end of the day, Coach Stanaland is more interested in his athletes becoming great men, husbands and fathers. Coach speaks on the perks of living and growing up in a small town including the relationships that are formed and hold true off of the playing field and into this rollercoaster we call life. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with Josh and I think you guys will think the same. Be sure to follow us on facebook, instagram, youtube and your favorite podcast audio platform. You have the option to listen to the podcast or you can visually watch the entire conversation via our YouTube channel. Coming soon The High School Athlete will have its own website where you can conveniently locate everything that you are looking for. Enjoy!

 Strawn head coach Dewaine Lee! The podcast will be on all platforms tomorrow but enjoy the full video on YouTube. If you ever get a chance to sit down with coach Lee, I strongly recommend it. The man has been at Strawn for 18 years and a coach for 28. His values and principles are second to none with a strong emphasis on accountability. I love all high school athletics but when your child gets a chance to play for someone like coach Lee you know they have a great chance to build upon a strong foundation. Coach says he is who he is and I believe every bit of who he is is perfectly okay. Strawn is lucky to have a coach who invests himself in the community and continues his relationships with his student athletes beyond the playing field. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Rule Bobcats Athletic Director, Head boys Football and Basketball coach Kade Kittley joins the show. It is always good to catch up with a friend and old teammate. I had the pleasure of throwing Kade a few touchdowns back in our hay days. I hope you enjoy listening to the episode as much as I enjoyed recording it. Be sure to catch the video version on our facebook and youtube channel. 

Hope you all enjoy this one with former quarterback Quincy Carter. Quincy describes his youth and leads us all the way to present day. His triumphs along with his struggles make for a great story of redemption that I had Quincy is able to sustain for the rest of his life. Sometimes God gives but he can also take away as well but it is all for the greater good. Enjoy. 

 Kyna and Lauren give us insight on high school athletics for females and specifically their personal experiences within the moments that they each experienced. I am really proud of this episode as Kyna and Lauren do a great job of diving into the female athletic experience but I think they describe the small School atmosphere in a great way. If you attend a small school like Rule, give this a listen and let me know if you can relate. I would bet that there is a girl going through some of the obstacles that Kyna and Lauren speak on that might actually help get you through whatever moment that you are in. I really hope you enjoy this because I did. 

We finally both find the time to sit down for a complete segment and episode of The High School Athlete Podcast. It is always good talking with Coach Bleiker, especially because he was my high school basketball coach. Coach Bleiker is a guy who will be named into the high school coaches hall of fame if that sort of thing exists. If that sort of award exists for 1A classification then the decision will be a no brainer. I am also projecting that Coach Bleiker will have at least a few more opportunities to win a state championship in basketball. In this episode we travel back to his first coaching job at Rule to his current position in Jayton. Definitely a players coach, the athletes enjoy playing for him and I think that is very important for success. I ask the common question of the conditions of Covid and so far the virus has not slowed down the program at all in Jayton (knocking on wood here). If you listened to the players episode with Tripp Scott and Pecos Smith then you will understand how much the players appreciate Coach Bleiker and I will also back the positive claims from way back in my high school playing days. Coach is just an overall great guy and family man but he is one heck of a basketball coach. Coach Bleiker has had the Jayton basketball program moving in the right direction for a few years now and he puts us onto one of his secrets of starting the kids at a young age and being a big part of the younger programs that are available to those not yet in junior high. The winning comes with hard work and it won't happen if you only play or practice during the season only. To be successful you need to be working on your craft year round in one aspect or another. Coach speaks on the training of his players and the positive results of being a multi sport athlete. Great episode. Enjoy!