Prep Illustrated May 2009

Prep

Illustrated April/May 2009

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April/May 2009



Advertiser’s Index Adventure Experiences..................29 Akadema.............................................20 Aneta Technologies.........................16 Antiwave..............................................12 Aristo Imports...................................... 5 Athletic Decals..................................... 8 Athlonic................................................24 BaseballRacks.com...........................31 Base Up.................................................. 9 Brett Bros.............................................27 Cages Plus...........................................17 CFY Wipes.............................................. 9 Clover Ranch........................................ 8 Contact Football Camps.................. 9 Cooperstown Bats............................18 Court Clean........................................... 2 Dains Custom Athletic Lockers....25 Diamond Yards Bricks.....................25 Earth & Turf.........................................25 Ebac, Inc...............................................13 Electro Numerics..............................17 Excel Sportswear................................ 5 E.Z. Stream..........................................31 Finch Windmill...................................16 FNT Industries....................................12 Fred Lunt Industries.........................29 Global Art............................................27 Got-To Specialties............................... 5 Green Bee Fundraising...................12 Gym Valet............................................30 ICON........................................................ 8 Iowa Army National Guard.............. 3

Imerys..................................................... 5 Kay Park & Recreation.....................32 LA Steelcraft.......................................25 Magna Plan.........................................17 Mid-American Sports Adv.............13 Nebula Fitness...................................12 Nikita’s Scents & More.....................27 NGE........................................................21 Old Hickory Bats...............................21 Perdue Acoustics..............................30 Pelfrey Kicking Systems..................17 PowerLung..........................................31 Prep Gear Headware......................... 3 Rada Cutlery......................................... 2 Ragar Banners....................................31 Registry For Excellence..................... 2 RevFire..................................................20 rSchool Today....................................16 Southeastern Field Const................ 9 SPI Nets.................................................. 8 Sterling Athletics................................ 2 Strikeout Strippz...............................30 Sur-Line Turf.......................................24 Team Dynamics................................... 3 Tech-Mesh Apparel..........................21 Tex-Net, Inc.........................................21 TK Fundraising...................................27 The Maksin Group............................13 Trim-It Signs......................................... 5 Universal Fabric Structures...........30 U.S. Rubber.........................................29 Wolverine Sports/School Tech.....20

PREP Illustrated P.O. Box 191 • Eagle Grove, IA 50533 1-800-505-4456 FAX: 1-515-448-4296 [email protected] www.prepsportsillustrated.com

Publisher Allen Printing, Inc. Manager Kay Derscheid

[email protected]

Editor, Graphics Director Lori B. Olmstead

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Marketing Specialists Kay Derscheid

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Michelle Enriquez [email protected]

Amy Lund

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Contributing Writers R.J. Balch NABCA Mission Statement It is Prep Illustrated’s goal to be the #1 source for sporting goods, supplies, and services to all schools in the nation....the most important people in the production of this publication are the many hundreds of athletes, fans, advertisers, administrators, and coaches who have made enormous contributions to its success...this is their magazine! ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission. This book is distributed with the understanding that the information presented is from many varied sources and there can be no warranty or responsibility by the Publisher as to the accuracy or completeness.

Table of Contents Boys’ Basketball J.D. Mayo...........................................6

Wrestling Jeff Weatherman........................... 14

Booster Club Tips The Booster Club Coach.......... 22-24

Softball Penny Reece.....................................7

Baseball Rich Hofman.................................. 15

Cutting Edge Advertiser’s Editorials............... 27-28

Volleyball Catherine Neely............................ 10

Bowling Doug Techel................................... 18

Classified Advertising................................... 27

Football G.A. Moore..................................... 11

Girls’ Basketball Jackie Boswell......................... 10-12



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In The Spotlight

Spotlight Coaches of The Year Prep Illustrated’s 2009 Picks for the Top Coaches In The Nation R.J. Balch

Volleyball Catherine Neely East Ridge High School Chattanooga, Tennessee It’s nothing short of a miracle to change lives, touch people in a positive way that alters their lives for the better; a few people, a dozen



over a lifetime, sometimes changes so subtle you never realize the impact you’ve had. For legendary volleyball coach Catherine Neely of Chattanooga’s East Ridge High School, that number is probably into the thousands. At East Ridge, Neely has coached and mentored students for forty-six years. She’s won more than 1,300 volleyball games in her coaching career; she’s won more than 650 basketball games and started tennis and track

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programs. More importantly for the state, it was Neely’s persistence that helped Tennessee adopt volleyball as a sanctioned sport in 1976. Neely’s teams won state volleyball titles in 1997 and 2005 and finished as runners-up in two other seasons. Neely was named the National Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2006, and was recently honored by USA Volleyball for her contributions to the sport. A permanent fixture in Chattanooga, Neely graduated from Hixson High and the University of Chattanooga before graduating with an M.E.D. degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. A former high school and collegiate player who played under Neely summed it up this way: “I never thought as a player that my coach would become a dear friend. Catherine has had a tremendous influence on my life as well as the sport itself.” The gym at East Ridge High School has been named after Neely, who continues to change lives as the school’s athletic director.

S potlight Coaches of the Year R.J. B alch

Softball Penny Reece Greenwood High School Greenwood, Kentucky Greenwood, Kentucky softball coach Penny Reece has guided her Lady Gators to back-to-back state softball titles. In sixteen years as head coach of the Lady Gators, Reece has compiled the third-most wins in Kentucky softball history (416-1041), but the challenge for 2009 will be replacing last year’s starters. “We graduated only one senior from our 2007 Championship team, but we lost nine starters from our

2008 title team. Very few of last year’s reserves got quality playing time.” In 2007, the Lady Gators defeated North Laurel 6-5 in the finals, and in 2008 beat Ryle 4-0 to capture its second straight title. Despite new faces at every position in 2009, the Lady Gators have become a softball superpower built on youth. When the state went to a fast-pitch format in 1995, Greenwood hit the base paths running with its youth fast-pitch league that developed into a consistent feeder program. “We started a strong winning tradition and it has just carried through the years,” Reece said. “I have a philosophy that if you are going to do something, then do it right.  I expect more from my players than they probably ever planned on giving.  We practice hard on the most basic skills and our goal is always to maintain ourselves as one of the most elite programs in the state.” Softball games are usually decided on the mound. Though Reece says this year’s team doesn’t have an “ace”

Coach Penny Reece



to rely on, so far Ashli Alford is leaving her mark. On April 7, Alford tossed a one-hitter against Gulf Shores, Alabama to lead the Lady Gators to a 2-0 win. “We don’t have any dominant pitchers like we’ve had the past few years,” Reece said. “They’re quickly learning the difference between junior varsity and varsity.” Life has presented Reece with her own challenges. When her fourteen-year-old son Logan was losing his only kidney, Reese stepped in and donated one of hers. That’s championship mettle; that’s love. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But if I had to do it all over again, I absolutely would.” Reece’s 16-year record speaks for itself, and loudly: she’s served on the KHSAA State Softball Advisory Committee the past six years and has coached the West All-Stars the past five. In 2001, Reece was inducted into the Kentucky Prep Softball Hall of Fame, and she coached the first annual Kentucky-Tennessee All-Star Game in 2006.

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In The Spotlight

Boys’ Basketball J.D. Mayo Skyline High School Dallas, Texas A shockwave hit the heart of Texas in early April when Skyline Principal Harold Wright dismissed Skyline varsity head basketball coach J.D. Mayo. A beloved, respected coach in his community and in Texas, Prep Illustrated recognizes Mayo’s achievements both on and off the court. Mayo has compiled a 698-350 record in his 33 years as head coach; he’s helped boys grow spiritually while preparing them for life after high school. This past season, Mayo guided Skyline to a 20-11 record and a trip to the Region II Play-offs. “I’ve taken my responsibilities of teaching and coaching very seriously and tried to achieve excellence in every area,” Mayo said. “I tried to live my life pleasing to the big basketball coach in the sky. My philosophy

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for decades has been Godliness, academics and hoops. That’s what we try to teach our players and students and that’s my goal as well.” In 2000, Mayo was named the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year. He has been on the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ board of directors for almost thirty years and coached NBA greats Larry Johnson and C.J. Miles. Since Wright refuses to comment on Mayo’s dismissal, one is left to conclude that Mayo is the latest casualty in a war between championships versus character-building. At Skyline, Mayo’s won-loss record and character-building appeared to bridge that gap. Skyline has been a successful program for 33 years; they made

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the play-offs for 13 consecutive years. At Skyline, Mayo’s players wore ties on game day; they didn’t trash talk opponents. Mayo taught players and non-players discipline, work ethic, and teamwork in a society where integrity, self-control and ethics have sunk in a morass of narcissistic excess. Mayo was quoted as saying, “We don’t get to decide our future, but we do get to decide our habits and our habits decide our future.” Mayo on his immediate future: “Right now, I just want to spend some time in prayer and contemplation. I want to do things classy and dignified just as we try to teach our students to do.” Mayo has been a basketball coach for 38 years, 33 of those at Skyline. He continues to teach World History.

S potlight Coaches of the Year R.J. B alch

Football G.A. Moore Aubrey High School Aubrey, Texas Ten minutes from Denton and a half hour from Dallas, small Aubrey High School lies in north Texas football country. It’s also where legendary coach G. A. Moore has come out of retirement to coach the Chaparrals as they are expected to move from Class 2A to 3A. Moore, 70, owns the most wins in Texas high school history; his 412-83-9

record is still the gold standard for other Texas coaches. Besides five wins at Bryson in 1962, and turning around an 0-10 Sherman High School program in Class 5A in 1986 to go 6-4 (Moore was named Dallas coach of the year), Moore’s hundreds of wins have mostly come at Celina and Pilot Point. At Celina, Moore won six state titles – four in a row – and at Pilot Point won state titles in 1980 and 1981. When Moore left Celina, he left with a 57-game winning streak. Besides the number of wins and state titles, Moore is known for turning losing programs into winners. His first and only year at Bryson, Moore inherited a program that had lost 21 straight games. Before moving on, Moore revived Bryson with a 5-5 record. The next year, 1963, Moore took over a Pilot Point program that failed to achieve a winning season in six years. From 1977 to 1985, Moore and his Pilot Point Bearcats went an

Coach G.A. Moore



incredible 106-9-3. At Pilot Point it was common to see upwards of three thousand people at some of the games, which equals the town’s population. In 1987, Moore’s last year there until returning in 2002, 92 of the 259 Pilot Point students played football. After a brief retirement, Moore coached again at Celina and Sherman. In 2002, he returned to Pilot Point as head football coach and athletic director. In 2004, Moore retired to his ranch between Celina and Pilot Point where he was known to keep horses. The 2009 season at Aubrey will be Moore’s first since retiring. He has signed a two-year contract to bolster a mediocre Aubrey program that has gone 37-38 in the past eight seasons.

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In The Spotlight

Wrestling Jeff Weatherman Ballard-Huxley High School Huxley, Iowa As a coach, a benchmark of state tournament success is when your team puts the competition flat on its back. Ballard-Huxley, Iowa varsity wrestling coach Jeff Weatherman saw that scenario play out over and over at nearly every tournament the Bombers entered this season. “Our school has been known for successful basketball programs in years past,” Weatherman said, “Our wrestling program would like to make that same history.” Mission accomplished. Weatherman’s Bombers were ranked as high as seventh in the country this past season. Any wrestling fan could see it coming, especially the last four years when the Bombers qualified 37 wrestlers for state; 18 of those wrestlers made the state finals and eight became state champions. The past two seasons the Bombers won both the individual and dual state tournaments going away. “There’s definitely a special bond here,” Weatherman said. “We have family – my son Brock and my

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nephews Trent, Tanner and Dillon Weatherman – but because of the time you spend with all the kids you develop more than just a coachathlete relationship.” Weatherman has led the Bomber program the past four years. Before that he spent six years as an assistant, and prior to that coached at Waukee and Drake University. At the University of Northern Iowa, Weatherman himself was a Division I All-American. His Bomber program has become one the best high school programs in America. Some wrestling pundits in the Hawkeye State believe this year’s Bomber squad might be Iowa’s best-ever wrestling team. On that point Weatherman agrees. “I believe they’re the best. Like any other team that’s had our kind of success, it didn’t start in the high school program – it started at least a decade ago when they first got on the mat. And they’ve had fun with it.” Part of that best-ever argument was the way the Bombers blew out

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the competition at state in 2009: in the 2A championship dual, the Bombers rocked Denver-Tripoli 5116 after crushing a 25-1 Davenport Assumption team, 56-12 in the semis and obliterating Union, LaPorte City in the quarters, 67-9. Next season Weatherman and his Bombers will be without the services of Tyler Grask (130), Taylor Eichinger (145), Trent Weatherman (152), T.J. Hiatt (160) and Chris Schaudt (285). Still the majority of the Bombers return to keep their lofty national ranking alive. “There’s no doubt the seniors leaving have been huge contributors, but we have lots of talent moving up in the ranks,” Weatherman said. “It’s nice having kids up and down the lineup that can get some experience together and mesh when they’re younger and then contribute on the varsity level.”

S potlight Coaches of The Year R.J. B alch

Baseball

Rich Hofman Miami Area High Schools – Retired Miami, Florida Miami, Florida is a long way from Racine, Wisconsin in miles and culture. Yet while Rich Hofman grew up in Racine, his legendary status as a Florida high school baseball coach in the Miami area is known nationwide. In 1967, Hofman was hired at Westminster Christian High School just south of Miami as a teacher and varsity baseball coach. Forty years later the championships and accolades acquired by Hofman are staggering. At that time the school didn’t have an athletic program, so Hofman developed a football, basketball and baseball

program and became the school’s first athletic director. After a rough start his first season (2-13-1), Hofman turned the Warriors into a baseball dynasty after eight state titles and two national championships (1992 and 1996). In 1998, after three straight state titles, Hofman left for Fort Lauderdale to coach at Westminster Christian Academy where he won two state titles his first two years, finishing both years as national runners-up. Hofman owns the Florida state record of coaching teams to five consecutive state championships. In 2006, Hofman began coaching at Piper High School in Sunrise, Florida, but after two years decided to put coaching on hold. All in all, Hofman has amassed a 965-246-16 record in forty years. The hard part in listing Hofman’s awards is where to begin. Hofman is a multiple recipient of the National Coach of the Year; he’s inducted into four Halls of Fame. His teams have won 19 conference championships,

Coach Rich Hofman



25 district championships, 16 regional championships, 6 sectional championships, 10 state championships, two national championships and twice finished as the national runner-up. Under Hofman’s guidance, forty players have been drafted into professional baseball in the first round; 177 players played college baseball. Because Hofman is currently absent from baseball doesn’t mean he’s not active. Earlier this year he spoke at a seminar hosted by the National Collegiate Scouting Association. Still, Hofman believes the game of high school baseball has changed. “The dynamics of coaching high school baseball is changing,” Hoffman said. “There’s been an eroding of the fundamentals of young players – and the importance of the high school coach has decreased. The high school coach isn’t looked upon as the person that is most needed to be successful, and I think that’s hurting the game.”

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In The Spotlight

Bowling Doug Techel Ottumwa High School Ottumwa, Iowa Two words sum up why Ottumwa has dominated girls’ Class 2A bowling in Iowa: Doug Techel. Techel started the Bulldog program in 2001 and his Bulldogs have made every state tournament since. The run includes five state titles, two of those in the past three years. Techel, owner of Champion Bowl in Ottumwa, returned five bowlers from last year’s state runner-up squad to power Ottumwa past Dubuque Senior for the 2008-2009 state title, 2,959 to 2,714. Last season,

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the Bulldogs placed second to Muscatine, 2890 to 2983, but nipped the Muskies in 2007 for the crown, 3004 to 2993. “We had some girls that bowled really, really well,” Techel said of the 2009 tournament, “and others that didn’t, so the match went back and forth.” Bowling is the new national phenomenon, and is America’s fastest growing sport in the high school ranks. This year alone the Iowa Girls High School Athletic

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Union sanctioned all five girls’ bowling teams from Des Moines, and more boys’ teams will be sanctioned next year. Next season, the Bulldogs will be one of the favorites to win another state title; Katie Maher, Amber Simpson and Leanna Hite all return. “Our expectations should be the same,” Techel said of 2010. “Somebody asked me if our team was going to recruit or reload. I said we’re going to reload.”

S potlight Coaches of the Year R.J. B alch

Girls’ Basketball Jackie Boswell Seton Keough High School Baltimore, Maryland Seton Keough girls’ basketball coach Jackie Boswell is likely the leading candidate of our esteemed coaches to buy a TiVo. Boswell has coached Seton Keough basketball for nine years; she’s also the school’s athletic director and softball coach. And most important, Boswell is the mother of three little girls all under the age of ten. Forget type “A” personality and think AA Energizer bunny. If

there’s a queen of time management, Boswell is definitely in line for the throne. This season Boswell’s Gators earned a few basketball crowns of their own, most recently capturing the ESPN RISE National High School Invitational by beating nationally ranked Riverdale Baptist, 44-42. Earlier the Gators defeated Oak Hill Academy, Virginia, 39-32. “We took a couple of losses early in the season that I think we shouldn’t have taken,” Boswell said. “We learned a lot from that. By the end of January we started putting it together. If we played the way I knew we could play, there weren’t too many people who could beat us.” The RISE championship capped a special season for Seton Keough. The Gators were the first team from Baltimore to win

Jackie Boswell



the 15th annual Bishop Walsh Girls Invitational Tournament, where they defeated Elizabeth Seton in the championship, 5543. Other Bishop Walsh wins included Georgetown Visitation (D.C.), 57-52, and Good Counsel, 68-54. The Gators also won the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championship by defeating sixtime champion St. Frances, 58-38. Boswell graduated from Archbishop Spalding, and went on to play basketball and softball at Virginia Wesleyan College. She also coached AAU basketball in the late 1990s.

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Booster Club Tips

The Booster Club Coach: Your Team’s Best Resource North American Booster Club Association If you are seeking to build a winning program don’t leave out one of the most important components – the booster club coach. A warning to all of the offensive and defensive geniuses out there – this article does not have any diagrams. There will be no X’s, and there will be no O’s. Instead, we are going to share a winning strategy that will help you take your program – high school, college and even intramural and turn it into a champion, year after year and regardless of your win-loss record. Coaching is by definition “a person who gives instruction, who trains a person or group of people.” As a coach you were hired with the

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belief that you will train and lead a group of athletes in your program to become winners, both personally and as a group. The years of experience, which were molded from mentors who walked the same evolutionary path that you walk today involved learning strategy and technique, developing leadership skills and talents, forming processes to help take the average athlete and turn them into champions. And throughout the years you studied play book after play book, attended sport conferences, trade shows, camps and clinics and gained a world of insight and knowledge from fellow coaches, team suppliers and past players.

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Unfortunately during this journey you were most likely never presented the opportunity to attend a course on how to become booster club coach. You probably didn’t get to take courses on organizational structure or compliance nor were you trained and made aware of booster club policies and procedures. It’s also safe to assume that you haven’t had the opportunity to attend booster club conferences or workshops or even the chance to gain booster club certification or formal training? So who is coaching your booster club? Just like the assistant coach you hire to help guide your offense, your parents deserve the same level of support and guidance. This is where the role of the booster club coach comes in. The booster club coach is an individual who possesses years of hands on experience, trained and knowledgeable in the field of supporting booster clubs. An individual who will bring the Guidance, Education, Training and Support to your program and who will help to insure that your parents and your booster club receive the highest level of support possible. In today’s tough economic times the booster club coach can bring stability, structure and growth to your booster club and to your program.

The B ooster Club Coach NABCA

• Am I liable for the actions of the booster club, or • How do I establish policies and procedures to govern the booster club, or • What is the corporate structure that the booster club should be formed under, or • What role is appropriate for me to play with my booster club? A well trained booster club coach eliminates these challenges, concerns and questions. They help to insure that your booster club becomes an asset for you and your program. Not a liability! The benefits of a booster club coach: • The booster club coach will help minimize and mediate challenges. • The booster club will become compliant and better organized. • Parent participation will increase • The support from the school and your community of your program will be more positive. • Your base of volunteers and supporters will increase. • The booster club will come to understand the “do’s and don’ts” • You will no longer need to take an active role in fundraising campaigns. • Your booster club will become a proven, long-standing asset for you and your program. • Your program and your booster club will see an increase in fundraising success.

If you have ever found yourself in any of the following situations or asked yourself any of the following questions, you need a booster club coach: Situations • I knew that our program needed a booster club and was confident on how to get them started, raising funds and supporting the team but after I helped them get going I found out that I had created a monster that caused me so much grief that I wanted to quit coaching, or • My parents are great supporters but I have no idea of how to help them organize as a booster club, or • I find myself leading the charge on all fundraising programs and I wish that I had a well organized booster club who could take over this task, or • My booster club seems to run through cycles where they are good for a year or two then they are more trouble than they are worth, or • My booster club seems to have an “entitled attitude” and they feel that they can hire, fire and control my every decision, or • I can’t seem to get our parents involved. Questions & Concerns • I am afraid that a booster club would try to control or hinder my program, or



• You will be able to sleep at night knowing your parents support you and your program. As you have just read from the sample of benefits a booster club coach is possibly the most important coaching position you can add to your program. To you, your coaching staff, your school and even your booster club the benefits are numerous. Equally as important is the fact that your booster club coach will work tirelessly to help insure that your parents and your booster club remain a strong, well organized asset for your program without ever requiring a paycheck. That’s right, unlike many of your assistant coaches you will never need to pay a salary or stipend or gratuity to your booster club coach. A Winning Strategy for Every Team……. Regardless of the size of your program, the age or number of the athletes you coach if you want to build a winning strategy to help insure the success of your program make a part of your programs strategy one that includes a booster club coach. Your program will become the envy of every coach in your league. About the North American Booster Club Association The North American Booster Club Association (NABCA) (www.

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Booster Club Tips boosterclubs.org) is the first of its kind national booster club association dedicated to providing booster clubs throughout North America with the highest level of Guidance, Education, Training and Support. NABCA has become the booster club trade association for booster clubs, parents, volunteers, school administrators, program directors, coaches and business leaders who support extracurricular programs endorsed by booster clubs. NABCA: • Promotes industry acceptance, awareness and support • Provides booster club training and best practice education

• Produces trade and educational publications and literature • Hosts regional learning seminars and conferences • Organizes multi-club events and activities • Builds strong corporate avenues for helping bridge transitional gaps • Provides grass roots support to booster clubs and their supporters • Provides valuable resources and vital links to help booster clubs make sound decisions • Is an association dedicated to supporting booster clubs

Slide Net Out From Wall For An Instant Hitting Station • 12’ L x 8.5’ H, 21ga. Nylon • Fits Single/2 Car Garage • Great for Basements Too • All Hardware Included • 3 Year Fully Guaranteed • Fully Portable Battery Operated • 24 Baseballs, 17 softballs, wiffle & dimple practice balls • Electronic height & frequency control • Zero time setup • 5 year guarantee (2 on battery)

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The Cutting Edge Excel Sportswear At Excel Sportswear we bring 25 years of experience in the screen print and embroidery industry to every shirt that we create. We service numerous markets mainly consisting of schools, Fire Departments, Automotive Dealers, and much, much more.   Everything is designed and produced at our facilities in Trafford, PA using state of the art equipment and techniques. What separates us from everyone else is the custom hand-drawn art produced by our 12 in-house artists, all extremely talented, and all with different strong points. This helps to ensure your design turns out exactly the way you had imagined, the perfect shirt every time.   You get to work with these highly trained artists at no extra cost to you.  That’s right.  No setup fees, no art fees, and no screen fees.   We specialize in making T-Shirts, Hooded Sweatshirts, Polo Shirts and more. When you choose Excel Sportswear, you not only get a cool unique T-shirt with a high impact design, you also get a wearable piece of artwork that will show your pride and promote your organization for years to come. Excel Sportswear 1-800-784-8857 www.excelsportswear.com See our ad on page 5.

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Athletes Need Special Training for Better Breathing For a long time, both coaches and athletes have ignored a key component in human performance: Breathing. Breathing is the only system/function of the body that is both automatic (involuntary) and voluntary. Because breathing is automatic we don’t think much about how we breathe or how well or efficiently we are doing it. If it is so automatic, then why does it matter if it is voluntary? Because breathing is automatic, if the breathing is not working efficiently our body sends signals to other parts of the body to change the way things are currently working so that breathing becomes easier. For example, when the respiratory system isn’t in peak condition, more lactates and other impurities remain in the bloodstream and muscles are adversely affected. When an athlete’s body preferentially supplies oxygenated blood to the breathing muscles from larger muscles like the legs, the legs can’t perform as well and the athlete’s performance suffers. In the human body the longer and harder the respiratory system has to work performance will begin to drop off. By breathing more efficiently, the body stays cooler and dehydration is reduced which helps the body keep doing what you want it to do for longer periods of time.

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“The PowerLung program allows our athletes to compete at their highest conditioning levels,” said Johnny Long, director for athlete conditioning for the University of Tennessee. How Do I Improve? Coaches and top athletes realize that an efficient respiratory system increases the overall performance of the heart by supplying more air per breath so the athlete has greater access to oxygen. Adding PowerLung training to your current training program improves the performance of your respiratory muscles and your respiratory system. Using PowerLung as little as five minutes for at least two times a day will increase the strength of your respiratory muscles so they do not tire as quickly. Instead, your respiratory system remains efficient for longer because it’s receiving more oxygen and that provides you greater control over your performance. By simply adding PowerLung to your training or exercise program, athletes will increase their lung capacity, lower their heart rate, reduce the amount of blood lactate and lower their overall breathing rate. Find out more about PowerLung at www.powerlung.com/coaching and see our ad on page 31. PowerLung 800-903-3087 www.powerlung.com

Classified Advertising Fundraising FUNDRAISING ACROSS THE NATION! Let our expertise help you determine which fundraiser is best for your group! Hundreds to choose from – Gourmet Food, Cookies, Candy, Discount Cards, Candles, Seasonal, Pizza, Coupon Books, Jewelry, Spirit Items, Gift Catalogs, Inspirational, Pet, Special Causes and Many More! We have the latest fundraisers available. TK Fundraising tkfundraising.com West Coast Office • 1-800-574-3899 Southeast Corp. Office • 1-800-405-9946

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courtclean® Gym Floor Maintenance THE PROBLEM – Gym floors are typically high use areas that are infrequently cleaned. The daily build up of soil can cause damage to the floor finish as well as creating a slippery surface for student athletes to play on. Dirt or dust acts like sandpaper on wood. As you walk, run, jump or slide on the floor, the

GOURMET CANDLE FUNDRAISING Mia Bella’s Gourmet Candles are triple scented and made using 100% palm wax. Palm wax is a natural renewable “green” product that allows our candles to burn clean and practically soot free! Over 90 scents to choose from. No Pre-selections. We allow you to choose up to 20 fragrances per campaign in addition to our specialty line of gourmet candles and accessories. Our independent programs offer competitive profits, NO start-up fees, NO minimum orders. Contact our representatives today for a free information kit with scent samples or to start your next fundraiser. www.LoveOurScents.com or call 1-888-836-9193

shoes along with the dirt or dust are in effect “sanding” the finish from the surface. The best way to keep the gym floor in top-notch condition is through frequent daily cleanings. The most effective way to pick-up dirt or dust is through damp mopping with clean water and/or cleaning solution and a clean mop head.



WHAT YOU CAN DO! – To maintain the floor in the best condition, start a daily maintenance program, using clean water and a clean mop. Clean the floor first thing in the morning and then just before practice or a game. THE SOLUTION – With the courtclean eight foot DAMP MOP SYSTEM, a basketball court or

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The Cutting Edge any other large surface area can be cleaned in just five minutes. Simply take the mopping towel and dampen it to the desired wetness, then attach the towel to the courtclean and begin pulling. The towel can be used for several times during the day. At the end of the day, simply launder the towel like any ordinary towel. “We have used our courtclean everyday for over 6 years. It has saved us time because we can clean two basketball courts in less than 10 minutes. It has saved us money, as we do not have to finish the floor as frequently. It provides us a good surface to play on.” Andy Weekes, Equipment Manager, Irvine Valley College, Irvine CA Remember, maintaining you gym floor is a YEAR LONG responsibility that requires a DAILY commitment! Order the courtclean system now and start receiving the benefits of cleaner, safer floors and mats. Call Bob at courtclean with any questions on gym floor maintenance. See our ad on page 2. 1-800-900-2481 www.courtclean.com Tech-Mesh Apparel “Moisture Management that you can Afford” Tech-Mesh apparel is made from a special blend of 100% polyester fibers and 100% cotton fibers to create a unique fabric that dries 4 times faster than 100% cotton. By 28

combining these two fibers in a unique “knitted mesh construction” you achieve a fabric that “breathes” keeping the body cooler and dryer. The 100% cotton in Tech Mesh absorbs moisture naturally and the special blend of 100% polyester will vent or dry this moistrue 4 times faster than fabric made from all cotton. Tech Mesh apparel is perfect for all your practice needed, wether in the gym or on the field. Tech Mesh apparel comes in both men’s and women’s styles and is durable and long wearing. Tech Mesh: • Lower cost than anything comparable. • Absorbs moisture naturally. • Dries 4 times faster than 100% cotton. • Knitted tough mesh construction. • Feels cooler than 100% cotton. • Prints as well or better than 100% cotton. Tech Mesh Apparel, LLC www.techmesh.com P.O. Box 702357 • Tulsa, OK 74136 866-681-6271 • 918-492-1193 [email protected] Diamond Yards Engraved Bricks Since 2002 Diamond Yards Engraved Bricks have helped numerous civic organizations, schools, churches and professional sports venues beautify their properties with our engraved bricks. Whether you are raising funds for capital improvements or school or church projects or dedicat-

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ing new facilities, Diamond Yards Engraved Bricks can get the job done for your group. We can save you money on the production, delivery, and engraving process while at the same time deliver you an unforgettable finished product. Diamond Yards can also help by creating a brick order form with your complete information at no additional cost. Give us a call today and get your project started tomorrow. DIAMOND YARDS ENGRAVED BRICKS Www.diamondyardsbricks.com 812-430-2725 TEX-NET INC. ALL SPORTS NET DIVISION Our products range from a wide variety of netting, shade cloths, wind screens, backstop covers, protective screens and fencing for baseball, football, lacrosse, soccer, golf, hockey and more, to our complete line of custom and specialty “Practice Cages.” Tex-Net All Sports Net Division can also provide netting, hardware, wood and steel poles as well as NATIONWIDE TURNKEY INSTALLATIONS for any of our systems. *QUALITY PRODUCTS – SUPERIOR SERVICE – COMPETITVE PRICING. Call or email us for a free no obligation quote, catalog and sample package. See our ad on page 21. 1-800-541-1123 www.texnetusa.com [email protected]



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