Coaches "Fall" into Sports

Clarke guys and girls are back for another year of school and sports. The fall sports are coming to an end (volleyball, cross country, and football) and winter sports are beginning to take their place. I recently sat down with assistant football coach Mr. O’Tool, and volleyball coach Ms. Subbert to discuss their experiences as coaches and athletes.

What made you want to coach?

Mr. O’Tool : The most influential people in my life other than my parents were my coaches. Coach Ehrhardt was always pushing me to become better. I was never handed anything as an athlete, I had to work for everything that I earned! He was always a big advocate for hard work and I admired that about him.

Ms. Subbert : I grew up around sports and athletics. My dad was a coach for 30+ years, and I would always go to games and practices with him. As I grew up, sports become a passion for me. I had many great coaches during my athletic career, and they have all inspired me to be a coach.

How long have you coached?

Mr. O’Tool : This is my 6th year of coaching athletics.

Ms. Subbert : This is my 8th year as a coach.

What is your favorite part of coaching?

Mr. O’Tool : My favorite thing about coaching is developing the rapport with my athletes. Winning is always fun, but the time we all get to spend together can’t be beat. We spend countless hours watching film, practicing, bonding as a team, bus rides to games, and competing with each other. Nothing can compare to coaching.

Ms. Subbert : My favorite part of coaching is watching athletes continue to better themselves. Watching athletes get more and more successful as the season goes on. Seeing and helping my athletes, not only in that sport or sports, but also helping them understand the importance of being involved in sports and how it will help them in the future.

What sports did you play in high school?

Mr. OTool : 4 years of: Football

Basketball

Tennis

Baseball

1 year of: Track

Ms. Subbert : Basketball, volleyball, softball, and track

(Basketball & volleyball in college)

What all do you coach?

Mr. OTool : Assistant Head Football Coach

Assistant Varsity Girl’s Basketball Coach

Assistant Tennis Coach

Ms. Subbert : While in college I coached middle school softball for 4 years.

At Boyer-Valley I coached middle school volleyball for 2 years, and assistant HS girls basketball for 1 year.

Here at Clarke I have coached varsity volleyball for 2 years, varsity girls track for 1 year, and middle school softball for 1 year.

What is your favorite memory?

Mr. OTool : I don’t just have one favorite memory. Beating Chariton in Football on Homecoming this year. It was the first homecoming win since 1997. Also, winning conference for girl’s tennis was very rewarding. Watching Ashlynn Oehlert catch giant frogs outside of Orange Leaf in West Des Moines for the Drake University basketball camp was the funniest thing I had ever seen! There are too many good memories coaching to just cherish 1!

Ms. Subbert : My favorite memory coaching was my first year coaching varsity volleyball here at Clarke. It was senior night against Pleasantville. It was the first varsity game we won that season. Everyone worked really hard, and it paid off. After the game everyone was smiling, crying, and screaming. It was a great moment!

#Sports