April 16, 2024

APSU Former Head Coach Gary McClure Recalls 2013 Indiana Regionals vs. Florida

Gary McClure

Gary McClure has never been one to back down from a challenge. So when his team, the Austin Peay State University Governors, was selected to open the 2013 NCAA Tournament against Florida, the veteran baseball coach didn’t back down. In the following interview, Gary McClure recalls the events leading up to that monumental game.

Interviewing Experts: Good evening and thank you for taking time out to speak with us today.

Gary McClure: It’s my pleasure.

Interviewing Experts: Where did Austin Peay rank prior to facing off with Florida?

Gary McClure: We were #21 in Baseball America and ranked #25 by the NCBWA, and our RPI was in the top 25 in the country as well.

Interviewing Experts: How did you feel knowing you were going up against such a decorated team?

Gary McClure: It was nerve-racking, I mean everyone is very good when you get to the NCAA tournament, but we knew they had a pitcher who was projected to go in the first round of the upcoming draft and that we would be facing him. You also worry a little about the reputation a program like Florida has, but truthfully we didn’t think that would be much of a factor because we had been battle tested in big games over the past three seasons. To be honest, when it really came down to it we felt like we were the better team overall. We were the second seed and deserved that while the Gators were third, but the bottom line is that it’s all decided on the field and you only get one shot at it.

Interviewing Experts: Where was the game hosted?

Gary McClure: At the University of Indiana’s Bart Kaufman field.

Interviewing Experts: Why was APSU’s second-seeding significant?

Gary McClure: It was the highest for any OVC team in history.

Interviewing Experts: That’s a pretty impressive accomplishment.

Gary McClure: Thank you, our players deserved it.

Interviewing Experts: The Governors had faced other SEC teams in 2013, right?

Gary McClure: We had, which made it even more interesting. We lost matchups against the University of Kentucky and Mississippi State during the regular season.Both were tight games and also in the one stretch of the season we were not playing very well.

Interviewing Experts: How did Austin Peay wind up in the tournament?

Gary McClure: We had won the OVC Tournament and earned the automatic bid. However, with our RPI and record we would have got an at large bid had we lost in the tournament.

Interviewing Experts: That was not your first OVC Tournament victory, was it?

Gary McClure: No, 2013 was our third straight Championship win.

Interviewing Experts: That’s very remarkable.

Gary McClure: I won’t deny that. It was actually only the second time in history an OVC team earned an appearance in three consecutive NCAA tournaments.

Interviewing Experts: Who were your notable players for this competition?

Gary McClure: I’ll be honest, that’s a tough question because we had so many great ones on that particular team. Seven players went on to professional baseball, and we had both the OVC Pitcher of the Year and OVC Player of the year on that team in Tyler Rogers and Craig Massoni.

Interviewing Experts: This was pretty close to the time you were about to break a record yourself, wasn’t it?

Gary McClure: Yes, I didn’t realize it then, but we were just two wins away from breaking the OVC All-Time Wins record held by Western Kentucky University since 1980.

Interviewing Experts: We understand this game was a reunion of sorts for one of your players. Can you tell us about it?

Gary McClure: Florida Gator Jonathan Crawford was a team mate of the Governors’ Jordan Hankins on the 2012 USA College National Team.

Interviewing Experts: That had to have been awkward…

Gary McClure: Not really. Both players are true professionals and have a great respect for one another. When you start playing on the national level as we were, the more that happens.

Interviewing Experts:  That’s how it should be.

Gary McClure: I agree completely and I’m glad their paths were able to cross once again. Thats one of the neat things about athletics. Sometimes you compete with someone as teammates and sometimes you compete against them.

Gary McClure is the former head coach of the Austin Peay Governors baseball team. McClure retired in 2015 as the winningest coach ever in the OVC.

Pop Warner Football Safer than Organized Soccer

interviewexpertsPop Warner is the nation’s largest and oldest youth football and youth cheerleading organization with over 425,000 participants in 44 states and several countries.  The program helps kids ages 5-15 learn teamwork and competitive drive. Pop Warner football was founded in 1929 by Joseph J. Tomlin in Philadelphia. Since then, membership has been increasing steadily. In 2010, more than 250,000 kids were involved in Pop Warner football programs, and the number is continually growing.

Pop Warner has established a leadership role in youth football and cheerleading by requiring all head coaches to pass a coaching education course. The coaches teach football basics—how to line up correctly, how to tackle safely and effectively, how to read an offense, and so on. Kids can only compete with kids of similar age and size since Pop Warner enforces a strict weight and age format in order to reduce the risk of injuries.

According to a recent statistic, Pop Warner football is safer than soccer, with 12 percent fewer injuries than organized soccer in the same age range.

Pop Warner only recognizes the team’s athletic accomplishments, not the individual’s. They don’t keep track of personal achievements. Pop Warner doesn’t count blocked kicks, sacks, or touchdowns. Teamwork is always applauded. Pop Warner doesn’t build stars, nor do they want to boost a young ego. Whether the young players have good days or bad, they are still an important part of the team.

One of the great things about Pop Warner is that it isn’t just about sports. The program recognizes that kids need to achieve in the classroom just as much as the playing field. Pop Warner also awards annual scholarships to deserving top scholar athletes. With the support of national partners, Pop Warner has been able to award over $1 million in 20 years.

 

Paul Savramis on Teaching Basketball in Europe

Paul Savramis spent 1996-2004 teaching basketball skills and as a motivational speaker in Europe. The founder of both Eastern Invitational and Rising Stars basketball camps, Paul Savramis saw his work in Europe as the next challenge in his career. But what Paul Savramis didn’t expect as he traveled across the sea was how rewarding his participation in these camps would be.

Interviewing Experts: In 1996, you made your first trip to Europe. Explain the work you were doing there.

Paul Savramis: I was participating in the Swiss Allstar Basketball Camp, which is Europe’s biggest basketball camp.

Interviewing Experts: Sounds exciting.

Paul Savramis: The entire process was really unique. The attendees represented a diverse group of young people from throughout the world.

Interviewing Experts: With so many participants speaking so many different languages, it must have been difficult.

Paul Savramis: Participants are divided into groups, depending on age and level of expertise in basketball. The official camp languages can be English, German, French, or Italian.

Interviewing Experts: Were translators available to help those who didn’t speak English?

Paul Savramis: Yes, at every event we had translators, but all of the participants spoke one universal language: basketball. In many cases, very little translation was necessary.

Interviewing Experts: The participants were likely able to watch coaches demonstrate what needed to be done.

Paul Savramis: Yes, and many of the participants knew enough about basketball that it just naturally flowed. We also had kids with us from America –The NIKE Whiz Kids –that put on performances of dribbling and shooting.

Interviewing Experts: The Swiss Allstar Basketball Camp seems to follow similar principles as the basketball camps you’ve founded.

Paul Savramis: Yes, at the European camp, as well as at my camps in the States, the emphasis was always on fun-damentals (emphasis on fun). They also stressed that anything is possible with desire and hard work. That positive message and other motivational themes carried over from each of our programs to the other.

Interviewing Experts: The games were still competitive, though.

Paul Savramis: The spirit of competition is always alive and well in all of the activities in a basketball camp regardless of origin. But we also work hard to instill and to reinforce the values of teamwork and cooperation in each participant.

Interviewing Experts: The game of basketball seems to be a way to work as a bonding interest for many of these participants.

Paul Savramis: Yes, when you take a step back and look at it, these camps are all about bringing people with this one major shared interest together, although they often find that they have other interests in common once camp begins.

With more than thirty years of experience running basketball camps, Paul Savramis has personally witnessed the long-term effects of competitive sports at a young age. Paul Savramis received his Master’s degree in physical education from Queens College. Following graduation, Paul Savramis founded Eastern Invitational Basketball Camp, an interactive learning experience for all involved. Paul Savramis is also the founder of Rising Stars, a highly respected basketball camp in New York.

Pierre Bennett Global Holidays: The Five Best Places to Ski

Pierre Bennett Global Holidays

Pierre Bennett Global Holidays

When rating a skiing destination, Pierre Bennett Global Holidays says that it’s not just about which place gets the most snow or has the steepest runs – it’s the overall skiing experience that counts.  And Pierre Bennett Global Holidays believes that it’s important for members to have the inside scoop on which mountains are the best to point their skis down.

Although Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is famous for its snow and the people who ski there – it’s as far from pretentious as a skier can find, reports Pierre Bennett Global Holidays. World-class skiers still visit Jackson for practice runs before competing, rewarding themselves with waffles and domestic beer from Corbet’s Cabin after a good run. Jackson also has some of the best backcountry skiing in the world and its snowfall is legendary. Pierre Bennett Global Holidays notes that even though it seems incongruous for Jackson to be as challenging as it is and family-friendly at the same time – somehow this ski destination manages to be all things to all people.

Pierre Bennett Global Holidays also recommends Alta and Snowbird for skiers who are looking for a challenge. With over 600 inches of snow per year, these side-by-side resorts near Salt Lake City, Utah are a skier’s dream.  Pierre Bennett Global Holidays acknowledges that the nightlife on the slopes is on the quiet side. However, if  ski enthusiasts just want the pure experience of skiing in this amazing place, they won’t be disappointed.

Famous for both its skiing and movie festival, Telluride is hardly off the pop-culture beaten path. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s simple to get to. It’s worth the ride to get to this little town, though, with the stunning 14,000-foot mountain backdrop, notes Pierre Bennett Global Holidays. And the best news for skiers is that in 2008 new terrain, “Revelation Bowl,” was opened. Better access was also provided to Palmyra Peak, which is perfect for skiers who want expert chutes, says Pierre Bennett Global Holidays.

Pierre Bennett Global Holidays reports that Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, located on the north side of Lake Tahoe are the most hit and miss on the list of skiing destinations. Some weeks they can go with barely any snowfall at all, or there can be avalanche warnings for weeks at a time. But, when the conditions are right, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows have some of the best skiing that members can hope to find. Also, because Pierre Bennett Global Holidays members aren’t restricted to a timeshare, they aren’t tied down to one skiing location, and they don’t have to work around another vacationer’s schedule. Squaw Valley has overhauled the base village, so skiers will find it easier than ever to navigate.

Although the Vail and Beaver Creek resorts are further apart than the other mountain pairs on the list, they are still relatively close together, states Pierre Bennett Global Holidays. And when a skier takes advantage of both mountains, they are one of the most formidable destinations in the west. Also, states Pierre Bennett Global Holidays, the terrain at Vail is the largest in the U.S., with over 5,289 acres.

Timeshare owners and skiers across the nation are making the switch to Pierre Bennett Global Holidays. Unlike traditional travel membership plans, Pierre Bennett Global Holidays doesn’t limit the number of trips a member may book or make them settle for the same destination year after year.

Interview with Steven P. Delarge | Tour de Cure for Diabetes

Steven P. Delarge

Steven P. Delarge

Steven P. Delarge, business executive, believes in giving back to the community. Each year, he participates in the Tour de Cure for Diabetes that, according to Delarge, is a bicycling event that benefits the effort to find a cure for diabetes. Today, Steven P. Delarge talks to Interviewing Experts about the event.

Interviewing Experts: How did you first learn about Tour de Cure?

Steven P. Delarge: I was actually looking for a great project to help engage my employees in charitable work in the community. We were searching for something that would incorporate fitness with helping the community.

Interviewing Experts: So that led you to Tour de Cure?

Steven P. Delarge: Yes, and after learning about this great bike ride to benefit diabetes in Saratoga Springs, I knew I’d found the perfect event. Bicycling is both great exercise and accessible to everyone. My employees wouldn’t have to be triathletes to participate.

Interviewing Experts: How far do the cyclists ride in the Tour de Cure?

Steven P. Delarge: The great thing about the Tour de Cure is that participants can choose the distance. Newbies can try out a five-mile fun ride, while more experienced cyclists can go for the 100-mile ride through the countryside.

Interviewing Experts: Was the event an immediate success with your employees?

Steven P. Delarge: Well, not exactly. In fact, the first year I was the only participant. The only other person who signed up backed out because it was storming the day of the race.



Interviewing Experts: But you rode anyway?

Steven P. Delarge: Yes–for five miles in the pouring rain.

Interviewing Experts: That’s dedication. Did others ride in the rain that year, too?

Steven P. Delarge: Yes, and it was so inspiring to see so many people pushing through despite the bad weather.

Interviewing Experts: Not just the cyclists, but the workers, too?

Steven P. Delarge: The volunteers manning the signup tables worked in the rain, and even diabetes sufferers were out there, riding alongside us in their red jerseys.

Interviewing Experts: Your company began taking a bigger role in the event after that. How did that come about?

Steven P. Delarge: As I stood there, cheering on the others finishing the race, I found the enthusiasm contagious.

Interviewing Experts: You made a big jump the next year, right?

Steven P. Delarge: The next year we had one of the largest teams, raising more than $15,000 for the American Diabetes Association.

Interviewing Experts: What would you say to other businesses interested in engaging employees in this type of activity?

Steven P. Delarge: I can’t express how proud I am of my former employees for their enthusiastic participation in this event. I highly recommend it. Not only is it a great way to support a good cause and become a part of the community, it’s also fun.

Steven P. Delarge has served as CEO and CFO for some of the most innovative chemical, energy, and aerospace businesses in the country. Currently, Steven P. Delarge serves as president of Silicones and Quartz for Momentive Performance Materials, where he leads operations and finance for more than 5,000 employees worldwide.

Fencing Talk with Catherine Case Szarwark: Want a Safe Sport? Play with Swords!

Case Szarwark

If you are looking for a safe sport, says Catherine Case Szarwark, forget soccer.  The three time all American epee fencer from Penn State University reports that recent studies place the injury rate for soccer players at or above the rate for football and basketball, with the rate of concussions equal to that of football players. And, adds Catherine Case Szarwark, forget about baseball.  Baseball has the highest fatality rate among children ages 5 to 14 of any sport in the United States.  Even cheerleading is far from safe, notes Catherine Case Szarwark.  With the growing emphasis on complicated stunts and acrobatic presentations, the rate of injuries in cheerleading have risen dramatically and have lead top calls for more emphasis upon safety precautions.

If you are really looking for a safe sport, Catherine Case Szarwark suggests epee fencing.  Yes, Catherine Case Szarwark recommends considering a sport where the objective is to poke your opponent with a piece of steel! While it is definitively counter-intuitive, a number of studies in the United States and Europe have documented that fencing is far safer than any major sport. But Szarwark notes than in all the years of fencing, apart from some bruises, her only real injuries occurred during conditioning.  There are two major reasons for this safety record.
[Read more…]

BikesDirect | The Case for Physical Fitness – BikesDirect

The Case for Physical Fitness – BikesDirect

Any staffer at BikesDirect can tell you that exercise and diet are the most surefire ways to maintain your physical fitness. Physical fitness is the most effective way to cut the risk of heart disease, bring down blood sugar levels, lose weight, and improve all around health. But the people at BikesDirect continue to observe our modern world hurrying to a standstill. Our society is increasingly sedentary. Most essential tasks can be performed without leaving a chair. Even at BikesDirect it is a challenge to impress upon people the importance of physical fitness.

One of the credos at BikesDirect is that every human ought to exercise. The current recommendation at BikesDirect is half an hour a day of exercise. BikesDirect reveals that only one-third of the adult population of the USA gets enough exercise. In fact one quarter of those surveyed are not at all physically active.

Physical inactivity is considered a key reason for the rise in America of type-2 diabetes. The team at BikesDirect wants you to know that sedentary lifestyles and obesity increase insulin resistance. These factors lead not only to diabetes, but other health problems. According to BikesDirect, there is more information about this rising health issue in a 2003 study published by The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. This study found that a lack of exercise and a general neglect of physical fitness are major factors that lead to serious diseases such as diabetes. BikesDirect cites these facts when telling customers about the importance of staying healthy and maintaining physical fitness.

The folks at BikesDirect say that there is good news! It is never too late to start exercising. Physical fitness is the easiest way to maintain health and prevent the onset of many diseases. BikesDirect reports that people who exercise regularly improve the overall condition of their body. Exercise helps fine-tune insulin sensitivity, helps with weight loss, and lowers the risk of heart disease. Besides avoiding illness, exercise releases endorphins and other beneficial bodily chemicals that have been proven to improve happiness. Happier and healthier – all this from a daily bike ride brought to you by Bikes Direct!

How To Get Started

To begin, BikesDirect suggests you always consult with your health care provider. Find out if you have any health factors that can guide you in setting up a safe and effective level of exercise. Doctors often perform stress tests to determine what kind of exercise is safest and most effective for each particular body. If you have certain health conditions, a doctor or a kinesiologist can design an exercise program for your particular situation. Then stop by the BikesDirect website.

Even if you already exercise regularly, a visit to BikesDirect can be a helpful way to update your exercise routine. BikesDirect reminds you to scale your exercise routine into something that will not overwhelm you. Exercise works best if you do it daily over the long term. Do not create a program that is too difficult or discouraging. Remember to keep moving! – BikesDirect

The History Of The Harley Davidson Motorcycle

Harley Davidson officially began in 1903 when it manufactured its first motorcycle. Two years prior in 1901 William S. Harley drew up plans for a small engine that had 4-inch flywheels. He was twenty one years old when he designed this engine to be used on a regular bike frame.

William Harley had a boyhood friend named Arthur Davidson, and the two of them, along with Arthur’s brother Walter borrowed the machine shop of their friend Henry Melk to produce a prototype of an engine-powered bike.  However, the engine was not quite powerful enough to successfully propel the motored-bike up Milwaukee’s small hills without the rider resorting to using the pedals.

Another Davidson brother named William helped them to complete the first “real” Harley Davidson Motorcycle.  A larger engine of 24.74 cubic inches was paired with 9-3/4 inch flywheels that weighed 28 pounds. The new bike made its first appearance in a Milwaukee motorcycle race in September 1904.

Harley Davidson manufactured three motorcycles in 1903, and then three more in 1904. In 1905, their production rose to 8 motorcycles, and Walt Davidson was able to quit his job with the railroad. He became the company’s first full-time employee. His aunt, Janice Davidson, contributed her artistic gifts to letter and pinstripe the motorcycles, which were painted black and had gold trim.

In the year 1906, the first Harley Davidson Motor Company factory was built on Chestnut Street. It measured only 40 by 60 feet, and was a single story wooden building. Chestnut Street was later renamed Juneau Avenue, and though the original factory was replaced, the Motor Company’s corporate headquarters remains on this location. Harley Davidson built a total of 50 motorcycles in 1906.

The following year, 1907 brought about a lot of change for the young company. William S. Harley graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in mechanical engineering. The partners enlarged the factory the company was officially incorporated. Production increased to 150 motorcycles in 1907.

Another huge change that occurred that year was the completion of a prototype of a 45-degree V-Twin engine. It displaced 53.68 cubic inches and had approximately 7 horsepower, just about doubling the hill-climbing power of the first singles. Harley Davidson continued to increase production, with 450 motorcycles in 1908 followed by 1,149 in 1909.

They enjoyed more success in the following years. Their original factory structure was torn down and replaced by a larger five story building made of reinforced concrete and red brick. It eventually took up two blocks along Juneau Avenue and around the corner on 38th Street. During this time, motorcycles produced by Harley Davidson began to take over the motorcycle racing arena and their production increased to 16,284 bikes in 1914.

The First World War brought about a demand for motorcycles in the military. The Harley Davidson company provided over 20,000 motorcycles to military forces during World War I. Improvements and expanded production continued when the war was over. The Harley Davidson Motor Company was in fact one of only two American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression. Harley Davidson continued to produce motorcycles for the military throughout World War II and the Korean War. The Jeep then replaced it in popularity. However, the Harley Davidson Motor Company is still going strong today. Look for it on the Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol HOG.

Saving Money on Your Next Camping Trip

Are you planning a camping trip in the near future?  Whether it’s a family vacation, camping trip or just a romantic getaway, it’s likely that you have concerns about the costs. And though camping is usually assumed to be an affordable recreational activity, it is still possible for camping to get expensive.  So if you are planning a camping trip, but want to keep the costs to a minimum, you need to read these tips.

When it comes to saving money on your next camping trip, there are several approaches that you can take. One possibility is to consider how you plan to camp. For example, will you stay in a recreational vehicle or will you camp in a tent?  As comfortable as RV camping is, it can be quite expensive. Gasoline costs add up quickly for an RV, since it’s not as efficient as a car or even a pickup.  If you are considering the purchase of a recreational vehicle, it is important to know that tent camping is much cheaper than buying an RV or even renting one.

Another way to save money is to carefully buy the camping equipment.  If you have previously camped, you may already have most of the needed camping equipment, like tents, sleeping bags, and coolers.  If you do need to purchase equipment, search for discount camping stores or find a sale at a department store.  You may even be able to borrow some of the more expensive camping equipment items from a friend or a family member.

And don’t forget that standard equipment will likely be adequate. You’ll want to purchase a waterproof tent that is large enough to be comfortable, but the design shouldn’t have to matter.  If you are set on buying a fancy tent or sleeping bag, you might be able to save a large amount of money by going with standard items instead.  Buying used camping equipment will also be much more cheaper. Great finds can be had at yard sales or go online to find items at auction websites.

Consumable supplies that you will need for your next camping trip include food, snacks, and drinks. Given enough advance planning, you can watch grocery store sale flyers and begin stocking up on supplies that you will need. Most chips, cookies, crackers, frozen meats and drinks will stay good for at least several months.  So buy these items on sale and then store them away for your camping trip. This will ensure that you save a considerable amount of money on your vacation.

Another one of the many ways that you can save money on your next camping trip is by researching options to explore campground parks. In the United States, you can find an unlimited number of campground parks to choose from. Selecting a less expensive, more affordable campground park is a great way to save money on your next trip. Usually the more access to activities like boating, fishing, swimming and hiking that a campsite offers, the more costly it will be.

These are just a few ways to save money on your next vacation.

Purchasing the Perfect Fishing Boat

The weatherman has predicted a beautiful day. It’s almost sunrise and the air is crisp. When your alarm goes off you rise, pack your tackle box, grab your pole and stop by the corner market to purchase some worms. On the way to the fishing dock you daydream about owning the perfect fishing boat and taking off across the lake for the day.  Here are some easy tips for finding and purchasing the perfect fishing boat – and experiencing your dream turning into reality!

Before you begin, you should have a clear understanding of why you want to own a fishing boat, and what you will use it for. Obviously the boat will be enjoyed for fishing, but do you want to fish on ocean saltwater, or on freshwater lakes? Will you just be making daytime trips or do you plan to stay overnight? If you do plan to stay in your boat overnight, make sure to purchase a boat with a hull which will allow you to ride the waves comfortably and safely.

A good buying plan will also include a clear understanding of your budget. Boats can be extremely expensive items. Sit down and take a comprehensive look at your finances and know what you can afford — before you start shopping for a boat. Boats with hulls for overnight stays and rough waters are obviously more expensive than small boats for small lakes. It’s wise to know your budget before beginning to look, and to stick with it.

You should read and completely understand the boat warranty fully before signing on the dotted line. A warranty can be your best friend or it can be your worst nightmare. Choose a reputable dealer who will offer you adequate coverage in the event of a defect or problem with your boat. You don’t want to end up having to pay huge amounts to fix your boat because you forgot to check out the warranties!

It’s also important that your boat comes with the proper certification. The National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA ) is an organization that tests and certifies boats that are manufactured by various companies. The NMMA only certifies those boats that pass their rigorous testing and a certification offered by the NMMA will give you the assurance of quality construction.

Also, just like automobiles, boats must be registered. This will cost money, so you should research this and be ready to purchase the license. And then to finalize your preparations and push off from the dock, don’t forget to stock your boat with life jackets, brand new fishing gear, food and a cooler for snacks and refreshments. And then go do some fishing!