JOHN SOVERS

Some coaches just get it! John Sovers is one of these coaches. John has been coaching with the Youth Sports Foundation for the past four years. YSF sat down with John and asked him a few questions. Here is what Coach Sovers had to say.

1. Where did you grow up?
   Solon, Iowa
2. Tell us a little about you and your family.
   I am 42 years old. I have been married to Susan for 17 years.
   We have two boys: Michael (14) and Matthew (13).
3. How many years did you play football?
   1 played 2 years in junior high (7th & 8th grade) and 4 years in high school
   (9th-12th grade).
4. When did you get into coaching football? How many years have you coached?
   I did three years of coaching flag football with the city of Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department. I joined the YSF program as an assistant coach with Muscatine West Side Store Little Muskies. I have been the head coach of this same team for the past three years.
5. Why do you enjoy coaching football at this age level?
   This is a great age, because the many of kids are learning the game of football for the first time. It's fun to watch them grow as players and as a team from the start of the season to the final game. For me, football is a great way to teach kids life lessons: "How to deal with winning, losing, adversity, goal setting, and playing as a team in a fun environment." A successful season for me is to have kids say they are more excited about the game of football at the end of the year than when they started.
6. Who is/was your coaching role model? Why?
   There are many people I have looked to as a role models:
   -My high school coach, Ed Hansen, who is a member of the Iowa High School Coaches Hall of Fame. He taught me the game of football and most importantly a love and appreciation for it.
   -Kirk Ferentz and Tony Dungy: I like their demeanor during a game, not too high and not too low, staying positive all the time. I have always believed a team takes on the peronality of their head coach and they are perfect examples.
   -My brother Mark who coaches football for Solon High School and my brother Dan who coaches at Iowa Valley Marengo. I am always bouncing ideas off them and learning new drills and techniques to use in my coaching. Football has always been a big part of our family and it's a great way to stay close to family.
7. Do you hope to move up in the coaching level or are you satisfied coaching at the youth level?
   I have always had aspirations of coaching at the "next level," maybe junior high or varsity assistant. My "real world" job and associated travel schedule probably won't make this a reality, but I am very happy coaching at the youth level.
8. What is the greatest memory in YSF football for you?
   Any youth sports coach will tell you every practice and game offers a new memory to either laugh or fell proud about. It is hard to beat my first year as a head coach. I had the opportunity to have both my sons on my team. To be a "Dad" and a "Coach" all at the same time is a special gift and something I will never forget.
   
   The funniest moment was this past year during our first practice with helmets. It always takes players some time to get used to wearing the equipment, but I had one player who complained that his helmet didn't fit right. About half way through the practice this young man comes back to me and says: "Coach I know why my helmet doesn't fit right," and he proceeded to pull a stick out of his helmet. I had no idea how he got the stick in his helmet, but all I could do was just walk away and laugh. That is just one more reason why it is so much fun to coach YSF football!
9. Who are your favorite sports teams?
   -High School-Muscatine Muskies (My new hometown favorite)
   -College-Iowa Hawkeyes (My alma mater. I have been a fan since I could say "GO HAWKS!"
   -Pro Team-Minnesota Vikings (Maybe we'll go to the Super Bowl next year)