“Learn Your Craft”

Jan 19, 2015

“Learn your craft” is one of five coaching covenants adopted by Oklahoma City Public Schools Athletics.

On January 17, 2015, Fields & Futures hosted its fifth Coaching Clinic, this time focused on Spring 2015 sports, including baseball, soccer, track, tennis and golf. With close to 80 coaches in attendance, Coach Andrew McGuire, assistant baseball coach from Oklahoma Christian, started the day off with a motivational speech stressing the four most important things coaches do: Show love, exhibit honesty, provide guidance, and be consistent with discipline.

Coaches received sports-specific instruction from James Ritchie with OKC Energy FC (soccer), Mark Thompson (track), Emmy Hufnagel with First Serve (tennis), Dustin Semesch with First Tee (golf), and Andrew McGuire with Oklahoma Christian (baseball).

 

A wonderful lunch was provided by the Wes Welker Foundation, followed by informational sessions featuring several partner and sponsor organizations who were on hand to speak with coaches about services and resources they provide, including Cleats for Kids and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Foundation for OKCPS president, Mary Melon, was on hand to speak to coaches about DonorsChoose.org.

Fields & Futures would like to say a special thank you to Metro Tech and Orthopedic Associates for their continued support and sponsorship of these Coaching Clinics, and to Northwest Classen High School for hosting the event. Old School Bagel generously supplied

The Spring Clinic will take place on May 23, 2015, focused on Fall 2015 sports.

Game, Set, Impact: A Q&A With Our New Development Director, Emmy Hufnagel

Emmy Hufnagel is an avid tennis player, former triathlete, and the newest addition to the Fields & Futures team. As our Development Director, Emmy brings a wealth of experience in youth sports advocacy and nonprofit leadership. Having seen firsthand the impact of sports on young lives, Emmy is dedicated to helping us take the next big step—from building fields to filling them with kids.

Meet Cody Laurendi, Fields & Futures’ New Director of Soccer

Cody Laurendi is a former OKC Energy FC goalkeeper and the newest member of the Fields & Futures team. As Director of Soccer & Youth Sports Advocate, Cody has shifted his focus from playing the game to growing it. With his passion for the game and vision for increasing youth participation in Oklahoma City, Cody is a key player in helping us keep our goal of creating more opportunities on and off the pitch.

What Drives Capitol Hill and U.S. Grant Football?

U.S. Grant and Capitol Hill may be rivals, but their football programs have more in common than their annual "Southside Bedlam" rivalry game. From 2014-2020, the OSSAA allowed both programs to play as independents so they could create their own schedules and rebuild their programs. Now playing in Class 6A, neither team has found success in district play, but they also know the scoreboard isn't the only standard of success.

Fields & Futures