None — Myers Park head coach John Spencer is in his second year as the Mustangs manager and he has one of the best teams in the Charlotte area. Find out more about Coach Spencer and why a pair of holey socks are very special to him in our Coach's Corner feature.
@import url(/css/21106410/style.css); Q: How many years have you been coaching?
A: "This will be my 7th year coaching. I started off in 2004 as an assistant at Wingate University under coach Bill Nash. This year is my second year at Myers Park and third year as a high school head coach."
Q: What's your greatest moment as a coach?
A: "Miller Groome's walk off against Weddington last year. We set up a "Military Night" benefitting the USO. We were down to our final out with a runner on first. Miller came in to pinch hit and laced a double down the line which scored Grant Fisher from first. It was a great atmoshpere and really ended with a bang."
Q: What's the biggest challenge of coaching high school age kids?
A: "This is a long season for these guys and they play a lot of games. Keeping the kids focused and prepared for every game is probably the biggest challenge. I have been fortunate so far to have kids that love playing the game. When you get good groups with good leadership, the team feeds off of each other. Every game is a stepping stone to where we are trying to go. You have to take something from each game and each practice in order to get better everyday."
Q: If you weren't a coach what would you be?
A: "I would own my own business. I have always liked the barbershop, hometown atmosphere so I would probably be doing something in the community that brings people together."
Q: What is your favorite school tradition?
A: "So far it is the camo jerseys in big games. It didn't work out for us the first time this year, but last year we rattled off about seven in a row to end the season. We won wearing them so the boys didn't want to take them off."
Q: What's your favorite pre-game meal?
A: "Most of the time between getting the field ready and and other gameday obligations there is not enough time to eat. For now a big handful of Jalepeno Sunflower seeds and a Gatorade."
Q: Do you have any pre-game superstitions?
A: "If we win I wear the exact same clothes. I do change the necessities but there is no way I'm washing off the win. There is a big hole in my left sock down by my ankle. The stirrups cover up most of it, but if you look hard you can see a little skin. Those socks have been worn for every game this year."
Q: If there was one thing you could change about high school sports, what would it be?
A: "I think baseball has changed a little bit from when I played. It seems now a lot of the players are playing for their future. This really takes away from the team game because kids have a different outlook on why they are playing. This is a team game and what players have trouble understanding is that if they do what they are supposed to do for their team then everything else will fall in to place. You are never guaranteed tomorrow so every pitch, play, or at-bat should be whats important."
Q: Who is your coaching idol?
A: "I have two. First, my dad was a great coach. He coached my brother and I for years in every sport until we were 13. He made us play the right way. It was expected that we stay in front of the baseball, catch the ball with two hands, never to stike out looking, and always compete. It seems very simple, but these are some of the core fundamentals that are overlooked. In order to be a "baseball player" or any kind of competitive athlete, you have to be able to grind it out. Things are not going to come easy and your not going to be succesful in everything but you always have the opportunity to compete.
Second was my high school wrestling coach Billy Puckett. He is one of the best coaches I have ever been around and I have taken more from him than any other coach I have coached with or played for. Coach Puckett demands hard work and pushed me mentally and physically further than I ever thought I could go. Not only is he knowledgable, demanding, and successful, he created a family type atmosphere with the group. He preached the team concept and everyone bought in because he was sincere. He was able to break us down and when it was time to pick us up he was always there. He is the best."
Q: What's the best advice you've ever received from another coach?
A: "Coaching goes on during practice. The game is played by the kids so let them do their jobs."
WSOC
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