Western Missouri Coaches Fighting Cancer Hosts 1st Annual Multi-Sport Coaching Clinic

JOPLIN, MO — Early this morning kicked off the Western Missouri Coaches Fighting Cancer 1st Annual Multi-Sports Coaching Clinic over at New Heights Academy with some great former and current coaches from around Southwest Missouri.

The coaching clinic started this morning and ran throughout early this afternoon.

Bob Coffey who is the former Seneca Girls Basketball Coach and the President of the organization help put on the event.

Their keynote speaker was Coach Wayne Stehlik. He was part of the University of Arkansas Basketball Coaching Staff for 17 years. They led the Razorbacks to three Final Fours and a National Title in 1994.

Former coaches in attendance included Missouri Southern’s Warren Turner who was the Head Baseball Coach from 1977-2007 and former Seneca Head Football Coach Tom Hodge who served as the Indians head coach for 17 seasons.

This newly former organization was designed to help fight cancer in the Western part of Missouri.

There were about 50 coaches in attendance with some of local coaches leading the breakout sessions.

This included; Ryan McFarland (Webb City Football HC), Andy Youngworth (McAuley Catholic T&F HC), Joe Renfro (NEO A&M Wrestling HC), Cheryl Sharples (Carl Junction Volleyball HC) and Kevin Burgi (Carthage Baseball HC).

We caught up with some coaches as well as Vice-President Skip Brock about being able to start an organization like this here in Southwest Missouri.

MBCA Hall of Fame Basketball Coach & Vice-President Skip Brock said, “Well, it truly is awesome. We have some outstanding clinicians from the high school and college level, successful coaches that are willing to do this and donate their time and also excited about coaches that are continually trying to get better”.

Webb City Head Football Coach Ryan McFarland said, “It really is. I mean, we think about cancer, everyone has someone that’s been affected by cancer and this is something that we can do to give back to try to raise awareness and raise some funds to help families in our area”.

Former MSSU Baseball Head Coach Warren Turner said, “It’s great to see the number of people we have. Coach Coffey has done a great job and his people organizing this fantastic thing. And I can see it getting bigger and bigger and of course couldn’t be for a better cause. So I really appreciate the fact that he’s done that and all the people that are here”.

Former Seneca Head Football Coach Tom Hodge said, “I’m so honored to be asked. Bob Coffey asked me if I would be part of it and any way I can help. He’s done a great job putting this together. So I’m honored to be here. It says a lot about the area, says a lot about the heart of these coaches”.

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