Today@Sam Article

Heritage Magazine: The MVPs Of The Sidelines

Au. 17, 2023
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd

The Sam Houston Bearkats have long been synonymous with excellence in athletics, carving out a remarkable reputation in collegiate sports. Behind the scenes, there is an intricate network of dedicated coaches who have played a pivotal role in shaping the Bearkat legacy. From leading teams to conference championships to nurturing exceptional talent, here is a glimpse into the careers of just a few of Sam Houston’s outstanding coaches.

Coach K.C. Keeler

Football

Hometown: Emmaus, PA

Years coaching: 38 (10 at SHSU)

Alma mater: University of Delaware

What is your coaching style?

I believe in running the program like a family, with a focus on cultivating a culture, where we are all in this together.

Who are some of your coaching role models?

My father Ralph Keeler, who coached all sports; my high school coach Gene Legath; Tubby Raymond my college coach; and Richard Wackar, the former head coach at Glassboro State (now Rowan University).

How will joining Conference USA benefit Bearkat athletics?

It will bring us national media exposure along with the opportunity to recruit and compete at a higher level. It is a great opportunity to capitalize on the growth of the university and continue to build upon it.

Coach Chris Mudge

Men's Basketball

Hometown: Round Rock, Texas

Alma mater: University of Texas

Years coaching: 15 (13 at SHSU)

What made you want to become a coach?

I loved basketball from a young age. When I went to college, I knew I had to find a way to stay involved in the game. I began volunteering with the team at UT, and God just continued to pull on my heart and open doors that led me to continue to follow this path. Through coaching, He has given me the opportunity to make a lasting impact on young men’s lives in incredible ways both on and off the court. The athletes I have been fortunate enough to coach have continued to remind me why I was called into coaching.

Why should prospective recruits choose SHSU?

So much of what makes Sam Houston great is the people. The athletic staff, along with university and community members here, separate us from other universities. Our students are deeply cared for and given every opportunity to succeed as student athletes and young adults through the relationships built here.

Coach Jay Sirianni

Baseball

Hometown: Indianola, Iowa

Alma mater: University of Nebraska

Years coaching: 21 (9 at SHSU)

What do you look for in a student-athlete?

Guys that love the game, want to get better, love competing in everything and take care of their business off the field.

Who are some of your coaching role models?

My dad; Rob Childress, former head coach at Texas A&M; Dave Van Horn, head coach at Arkansas; Darin Thomas, former head coach at UT-Arlington.

How will joining Conference USA benefit Bearkat athletics?

It puts our entire department on a national stage, and it will help in recruiting.

Coach Ravon Justice

Women's Basketball

Hometown: Atlanta, Texas

Alma mater: University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Houston Baptist University

Years coaching: 18 (4 at SHSU)

What made you want to become a coach?

I wanted to be a judge but all that changed after I worked basketball camps during college. My high school coach, Donna Walker, inspired me to coach. I’ve always wanted to mentor young women and coaching is the ministry I choose.

Why should prospective recruits choose SHSU?

Sam Houston State is a small community that allow students to be more than a number. It’s a family environment that offers students opportunities to grow without being overwhelmed.

How will joining Conference USA benefit Bearkat athletics?

It’s a highly respectable conference with a national brand. We will be able to compete against schools with like-minded ideals of growing athletics.

Coach Sonia Curvelo

Soccer

Hometown: Strathroy, Ontario Canada

Alma mater: Mississippi Valley State University, The University of Southern Mississippi

Years coaching: 14 (1 at SHSU)

Why did you become a coach?

To inspire, empower and develop young women.

Why should prospective recruits choose SHSU?

This is a special place that embraces diversity and provides a quality education for all students. The environment is very welcoming, and our customer service is top notch. The quality of professors and staff are high level, and we care about the students’ experience here at Sam Houston.

Coach Brenda Gray

Volleyball

Hometown: Pottsville, PA; Whittier, CA; Humble, Texas

Alma mater: Sam Houston State University

Years coaching: 40 (all at SHSU)

What is your coaching style?

I believe my current and past players would label me as a player’s coach. I have high standards and a style/blueprint/system that I believe in, however I love players to keep their individual flare physically and to play with true emotion. I am a firm believer in working hard and having fun at the same time.

What do you look for in a student-athlete?

While coaching for 40 plus years, my staff and I look for specific skill sets that will flourish in our system for all positions. I don’t stop at skill; I deep dive into the intangibles: work ethic, attitude, communication, effort and commitment to academia. Lastly, I want potential recruits to want our program as much as we want them to become a Bearkat.

Coach Brad Hagen

Bowling

Hometown: Norwich, NY

Alma mater: Morehead State University

Years coaching: 15 (all at SHSU)

Why did you become a coach?

The opportunity and ability to impact lives and give back to our sport.

How will joining Conference USA benefit Bearkat Athletics?

For our sport we now have a name that is historically and nationally recognized to match our resume. The opportunity will help build our brand even more and within the strongest Bowling Conference in the US and help other Division 1 Programs who are exploring adding a path and blueprint. We will use our platforms to be a model to our future peers and help build Bowling into something special and now recognized at a new national level by being the first FBS Conference to recognize Bowling officially.

Coach Jesse Parker

Track-Cross Country

Hometown: Lockhart, Texas

Alma mater: Sam Houston State University

Years coaching: 20 (all at SHSU)

What do you look for in a student-athlete?

I look for individuals that have both a high level of internal competitiveness, maturity and professionalism. I like working with student-athletes that are serious about perfecting their craft of endurance running.

Why should prospective recruits choose SHSU?

The family atmosphere at SHSU is second to none. You will find many individuals here that care about the student-athletes beyond their performances in competition. Once you are a Bearkat, you are always a Bearkat.

Coach David Self

Track

Hometown: Pasadena, Texas; Conroe, Texas

Alma mater: Lamar University

Years coaching: 29 (21 at SHSU)

Why did you become a coach?

I got the chance to coach at Lamar University after I graduated and fell in love with coaching track and field at the college level.

Why should prospective recruits choose SHSU?

Because of the education-centered atmosphere on campus. Sam Houston faculty and staff want students to succeed. Athletically we have a rich tradition of winning at Sam Houston. Since 2004, men’s and women’s track and field have won 21 conference championships. Individually we have had over 200 All Conference performances and Multiple Division I All Americans - with 16 of those being First Team Division I All American Awards.

Coach Garret Valis

Softball

Hometown: Shiner, Texas

Alma mater: University of Texas; Texas State University

Years coaching: 20 (9 at SHSU)

Why did you become a coach?

My competitive drive and opportunity to positively influence student athletes the way some of my coaches did for me.

What do you look for in a student-athlete?

Integrity, a positive attitude, fearlessness and competitiveness.

Why should prospective recruits choose SHSU?

Sam Houston is in a perfect location, offers a variety of social opportunities, competitive national athletic programs, personal experiences and a constant growth mindset.

How will joining Conference USA benefit Bearkat Athletics?

The conference move will further enhance the universities and athletics brand, competition opportunity, recruiting footprint, and post season opportunities.

Coach Wesley “Brandt” Kieschnick

Golf

Hometown: Bay City, Texas

Alma mater: Sam Houston State University

Years coaching: 13 (11 at SHSU)

What is your coaching style?

I come from a playing background, so I try to be a “Player’s Coach,” meaning I’ve been in their shoes. I work to coach them from my experiences of success in the game but, also, where I made mistakes to help them not make the same mistakes. I would say my main focus is developing and maturing in the game of professional golf and life.

Who are some of your coaching role models?

Bruce Kieschnick (my dad), Walt Williams, Tony Bennett, Mike Small, Mike McGraw and Matt Deggs.

How will joining Conference USA benefit Bearkat Athletics?

Joining Conference USA has already benefitted our program. We are seeing the results in our recruiting and fundraising efforts. The excitement has also helped elevate our efforts with our alumni base and we are excited to start this new journey.

Coach Rob Hubbard

Women's Tennis

Hometown: Oak Ridge, TN; Baltimore, MD

Alma mater: Pan American University, now University of Texas of the Rio Grande Valley

Years coaching: 40+ (7 at SHSU)

What do you look for in a student-athlete?

Besides being a good student…. passion. A passion to compete and play the game. If you don’t have a passion to play and compete in tennis, then I am the wrong coach for you. I’ve been in tennis virtually my whole life because I love the game. If we are not on the same page, then it will be difficult to understand and work with each other.

How will joining Conference USA benefit Bearkat Athletics?

Sam Houston State Tennis already competes in the toughest region in the nation – Texas. Now with Sam Houston State’s move into CUSA they will have additional exposure in one of the top 10 NCAA conferences. It will provide a showcase for the student-athlete to put their talent on display against a lot of the nation’s finest players. Moving into CUSA will put the Sam Houston State name and brand into the national spotlight and aid in the recruitment of an even higher level student-athlete whether it is tennis, football, basketball, etc.

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