."..BEHOLD, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW..."

II Corinthians 5:17

Upon taking stock of the numerous changes in my life recently, this scripture came to mind.  I realize that its intended message didn't concern the decisions that brought me to OKC and the Mount, but I thought that taken out of the passage, these words were appropriate.  It seems that everything is NEW!

In December of 2010, when I decided to pursue a coaching position in Europe (Austria), I did not realize the changes that would be involved.  The developments that led me to an amazing experience in Vienna with the Rangers provided a "splash" that would ripple outward, affecting many different people and events.

In an earlier blog, I explained how I arrived at the Mount, I consider it a blessing that I looked on the MSM website and saw that Chris Stiles was the head football coach.  The events that were set in motion when I emailed him about the possibility of my assisting him started then.  Sent in late 2011, I had nearly given up on hearing a response to my email.  Then, after Coach Stiles replied with a possibility of my employment, things started to roll.

First, we would have to decide if our income would support a move.  Then, Susan would have to hurriedly put in her paperwork for retirement. She would also have to say goodbye to an amazing school and group of friends and co-workers that she dearly loves. We would have to sell a house (still waiting for this to happen), and obtain a house (and it is a good one).  

Then there was the move!  Let me just summarize by saying that moving 20+ years of accumulated "stuff" is a daunting task.  It can be noted here that moving four dogs in one Honda Element (also new; replaces the beloved Bronco) is a whole blog topic. A number of good friends and family pitched in to help this happen.  It didn't improve matters that it was done is the hottest time of summer.

Initial tasks like paying deposits, starting service for utilities, garbage and cable were things not done in years.  Figuring out where the furniture from the old should go in the new was an issue.  Meeting new (and nice) neighbors, introducing our dogs to their new home and spending the first night in a new home were all memorable first-time experiences.

Then there was the whole new school experience.

Opening in 1903 as a boarding school for young women, Mount Saint Mary is the oldest high school in the state.  The school is located in the same four story building that was obtained for the Sisters of Mercy under the direction of guidelines set forth by Katherine McCauley, their founder.  In 1950, the Mount became co-ed, and not long after, the Rockets became their team "mascot".  Additions and improvements to the original building have been ongoing but the ambience and character of the old building still transcends the century and more that has passed.

The school today exists as a private Catholic school with very high academic standards. ALL teachers must incorporate MercyValues and teachings (basically the way ALL humans should behave) into their lesson plans.  Oh, did I mention that the school administration believes that we are professional and does not require teachers to turn their lesson plans into the office?  ALL students are required to take the ACT.  ALL students wear uniforms.  ALL students are possible candidates for drug tests.  And although at least 40% of the students do not profess the Catholic faith, ALL students attend Mass at least once a month.  

So one of my first new experiences at the Mount, was a church service in which all students and teachers attended.  If my public school experience hadn't been left behind by the religious icons on the walls and the halls of the school and the daily morning prayer, this was a reminder that I wasn't in "Kansas" anymore.  An entire student body of nearly 400 reverently filed into, sat during, and participated in a service that lasted over 90 minutes.  Let that sink in for a minute.  Yep, things are just a wee bit different.

Before the school year began, new non-Catholic teachers attend a day-long workshop entitled, "Overview of  Catholicism for Teachers of Other Faiths".  My classroom responsibilities include teaching US History, government, and econ.  Since classroom space is limited and I am the "new kid", I am a "floater".  Meaning I have no classroom.  During a teacher's planning period, I use theirs.  

A-B block scheduling. 85 minute periods. Different classroom every period.  Staff development every Monday at 7:15. Lunch duty.  New email.  New insurance. New paycheck. Four stories of stairs to circumnavigate. Restrooms to locate. Window A/C units.  Computer networking issues. New teacher's work room. Adjusting to the differences in each of the classrooms. New bell system.  Meeting and counseling daily with 15 students for 30 minutes set aside each day (Rocket Time).  Just a few new "tricks" to learn for this "Old Dog" to learn.

The "perks" are free health insurance, no co-pay at St. Anthony's hospital, free lunches, a laptop computer for every teacher (a Chromebook!), free coffee, easy-going and laid-back support staff and administration. There is a "black box" in each room that contains every type of media for class presentations. Teachers that would bend over backwards to help.  A small-town feel.  Oh, and we have been in school for 2 weeks and the ISS classroom is still vacant.  I haven't even seen any students with cell phones.  The students pay fines for things like dress-code, cell phone violations, etc.

My classes are demanding.  Although there are mainly motivated students, there remain those that don't "get the memo" yet.  The students are courteous and friendly.  Teachers are often referred to by nicknames given with respect.  I have become "Coach Hep" to most.  All of the parent contact that I have had is positive.

The football aspect is new in many ways, but at the end of the day, just as when I get in the classroom,  turns out to be the most comfortable thing of all.  The things that I have learned (and am still learning) that I can contribute to our young people.  Although each situation is new, there is a sort of timeless carry-over that often applies to the current.  I hope my experience(s) can help a whole new group of "clients".  I am adjusting to (and enjoying) being an assistant again.  To coaching with a whole group of great guys.  To being the oldest coach on the staff.  To a new locker-room, coaches office, field, weight room, managers, trainer, responsibilities,etc.

I absolutely loved my time in Altus.  If there is a small part of me that does good, it is because it was learned, tested and crafted in Jackson County. I trust that "Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog" will apply to me.  I am thankful to all it has given me.  I will ALWAYS be partial to Navy Blue and White and will miss TAB when it strikes up the fight song.  I miss the "Rock" and all those who have come into my life.  

Altus will always be a part of me.

But a new chapter has begun.

All things have become new.

Fly Rockets!

GAMEDAY, BABY!!!

It gives me chills every time I walk into a locker room early on GameDay. 

Welcome to Rocket-ville.

It has been nearly a year and a half since I began this blog to chronicle my experience as a coach of American Football in Austria.  Upon return, I didn't have a lot to write about, but now I have some information to share.

When listing my reasons for considering going to Austria in the first place, the phrase "once of a lifetime opportunity" always came up.  As it happens, it WILL be a just that.  Once in a lifetime.  So what  are  reasons why the amazing experience of coaching on another continent, will end at one season?

When I returned to the states, I knew that I could not return to Europe without my best friend and she wasn't ready to retire from her teaching position at Altus Intermediate School.  I figured that she would finally retire after this year and we would return to Europe to a team that might want my meager services. During this year, I worked for F.A.T.E.  (Fighting Addiction Through Education), taught a night class at Western Okla. State College, and drove a bus route.  I missed coaching football in the fall, but occupied myself by looking to see what coaching positions were open in Europe by following Europlayers.com. I contacted a few teams about the upcoming season but never solidified anything.  I guess there was a reason for that, but the reason will become clearer in another paragraph.

 I also began to explore the possibility of coaching for a private school here in Oklahoma.  Doing so would allow me to draw my retirement AND earn a full salary.  I was aware of a handful of private schools that offered football, so I did an internet search of the respective websites.  Upon discovering that the Head Football Coach of the Mount St. Mary's Catholic school was Chris Stiles, I knew I had to apply.  I knew Coach Stiles from coaching against him when he was at Lawton Eisenhower High School.  His teams were always highly competitive and his reputation in coaching circles is impeccable.  He knows a vast amount of football and above all, is an honorable and upright person.  I shot him an email and didn't hear from him for a while.  After a few months, I got a call that there may be an opening at the "Mount".  Although there was not a Social Studies teaching position open, there WAS a coaching job with the possibility of supervising In School Suspension.

In the meantime, I was elated to learn that I was to become a Grandpa for the first time.  This news made the possibility of moving closer to our grandchild AND coaching football a very desirable situation.  This was a complete surprise.  I thought I had a season or more in Europe to coach before it happened.  I don't plan to be halfway around the world for 6 months and miss!

When Coach Stiles called with the good news that I would be officially offered the job, I remember him making the statement, "welcome to Rocket-ville".  It didn't take long for me to happily accept. So as soon as I can get there, I will be making the transition from a Bulldog wearing Navy Blue, a year wearing Black and Gold of the Kornmesser Rangers AFC, to a Rocket in Royal Blue.

I loved my time at Altus.  33 year-old roots are hard to pull up.  I loved my time in Austria.  The people I met and times I had there will always be remembered with the greatest of fondness. But it is time for a new chapter in my life. So although I get to renew my opportunity to coach the same game, I will never be the same.  So I suppose the name of this blog should change.

Same Game; New Chapter.

I can't wait.