Thursday, August 30, 2012

Picture of the Week

Since already Thursday and I was without, I was (this afternoon) pondering what would serve as our picture of the week.  I then made my way upstairs for a peanut butter sandwich in the afternoon.  To my surprise, I found 2 quality snapshots.

I chose the following (taken in the tennis player lounge) as our winner since I am confident that their three respective mothers will be surprised/astounded, yet proud!  I will slightly temper that by pointing out the US Open coverage that can be seen in the reflection.  :)


A close second place.......4 of our male freshman, and the lone female (a friend), working out on their own!

Iowa: Day One


For my first blog post I thought I would give my first impressions of arriving in Iowa from an outsider’s perspective. Having grown up in Texas my whole life, I had never even been to Iowa before I took the job at Coe.

 On Wednesday August 15, 2012 I hopped in my truck and drove all day (over 12 hours) to get to Iowa. I must say, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I had looked up everything I could about Coe and Cedar Rapids before leaving Texas, but reading about a place and being there are obviously two different things. As part of my Iowa education, I considered re-watching Field of Dreams, but upon further reflection decided against it. How much baseball or Kevin Costner could there be in Iowa? I decided both were probably at extremely low levels (kinda like rain). I did hold out for a James Earl Jones sighting upon crossing the state line, but those dreams were crushed despite passing miles and miles of corn fields. Corn was everywhere, and despite the lack of rain, everything was greener than where I am from in Texas.

Oddly enough, when I arrived in Cedar Rapids, Coach Kris said she and Coach Rodgers were at a baseball game. Baseball in Iowa? Perhaps Field of Dreams didn’t completely lie to me as a child. I set out for the Kernels (minor league affiliate of the Angels) game excited to finally meet the coaches while hearing the words, “People will come Ray,” playing in my head. The stadium was very nice and it was great to meet the coaches plus Emmie. 
Give me all your coke and ice cream

Unfortunately, the place was sans Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones. I know it was just a movie, but come on, a Shoeless Joe Jackson spotting would have made my year! Also, the Kernels got soundly beat (the ump really should have checked the opponents bats, the ball was flying out).

 I don’t remember the final score of the game (it wasn’t close), but the evening was enjoyable and the weather was great. A baseball game was an exciting way to begin my time in Iowa. 

That's right, I'm in charge. Now give me the car keys.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

16 Weeks to Better Health - Moderation

Let me start by apologizing for the late post.  Will try and get Wednesday's Health & Wellness article up by early morning in weeks to come.

Today's topic, a noted principle within the Kohawk Tennis community - moderation!  I start with this to set the tone for our take on nutrition (and many/most everything else in life).

I was in the Coe bookstore today and picked up a nutrition book; briefly glanced through it and a given phrase caught my attention.  Thinking of food as either "medicine or poison" for the body is an unhealthy approach.  For example, blueberries (due to antioxidants) will protect me from disease, where as cookies will kill me.  Yes, you should probably eat more blueberries than cookies, but eating cookies (or chips, or drinking beer) in moderation is perfectly fine.  Despite the likely perception, even I eat more than just SuperFoods.

Think through the unhealthier foods that you most crave or consider an indulgence.  Those you can go without, give up.  The rest, treat yourself to here and there.  Restricting yourself all together would be deemed a "diet", and most of you know my take on dieting.

Yes, I am starting my 16 week message by encouraging the consumption of fountain Coke (my own greatest weakness), Oreo Cookies, ice cream, etc.  A perfect nutrition plan, or even near perfect, is largely impossible.  That is exactly why diets fail.  Instead, I am asking you to approach or think about food/nutrition in a healthy manner.  Food is fuel.  The more nutritious or higher the quality of fuel that you put in your body, the better you will feel (about yourself, state of energy, productivity, etc).  I assure you of that.  However, periodically treating yourself and 4 year old to Dairy Queen can be quite rewarding to your overall health also!

In general, I ask that you eat healthier.  More SuperFoods than not, Blue Zones approved foods, etc.  I hope that the articles and recipes posted will assist you in doing so.  As a start, once weekly, prepare a dinner that is in strict accordance with these principles (or Clean, etc).  For example:

Buy slaw mix (carrot, broccoli, cabbage) and put on WHOLE Wheat Tortillas.  Spread the following sauce (derived from Clean) over the top.  I ate two of them, and had the glass of wine pictured.  Wine at 5 according to Blue Zones, right!
1 T almond butter
1 t grated fresh ginger
1/2 lemon juiced
1 t apple cider vinegar (I use just a dash; otherwise overpowers in my opinion)
1 clove garlic
1 t nama shoyu or wheat free tamari (you can get the latter in the health food section at Hy-Vee)
pinch of cayenne (additional spice if desired)
Blend together all ingredients.


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Facebook Official - Sara Engaged!

Senior, Sara Ohlman, got engaged to Ryan Long last night.  Congratulations from all of Kohawk Tennis to the two of them, and their family/friends!  Coach and I were quick to ask for Scott's (Dad) take on the situation.  Sara stated that he approves.


Pictures from the Pool Party also!  Leo got ups (via the diving board); Mitch natural ups.  Not surprisingly, MJ the only male at the ladies' table for dinner.  Freshman vs. I belly flop contest.  Ultimate in the pool.  Volleyball.  4 square played by the women (believe I last played 4 square 23 years ago).  A THANK YOU to Rick and Betty Damisch for organizing, and hosting!


 
And, be sure to catch the Kroll Report posted below....

The Kroll Report- Orientation


Let me first start off by saying that the “Kroll Report” is far less official than it seems. However, as a new addition to the Kohawk  tennis family, and as a new contributor to the blog, I will do my best to give an inside scoop to various things around campus, Cedar Rapids, the racket center, or anything interesting about my time here at Coe.
            My name is Mark Kroll and I am a freshman this year at Coe. I am a Colorado native and miss the mountains and thin, dry air of my hometown desperately. I plan to minor in Secondary Education and major in whatever is endorsed by the Teacher Education program. If I could have it my way, I would tell you that I was double majoring in Communication Studies/Physical Education while minoring in Secondary Education, but we will just have to see how that all plays out.
            As for tennis, my history is fairly short. I played 1 singles at my high school all four years and qualified for state my junior year. I played USTA tournaments when I could and have never been under any sort of private coaching.
            In high school my primary focus was(were) the clubs and organizations I chose to involve myself with. I was a member of student government and was the Editor-In-Chief of my high school newspaper (which just won an All-Colorado award, the top award a high school publication can receive!).
            Now that you know what I do and/or did, I guess, I want to shed some light on the whole freshman orientation experience.
            Thanks to the Academic Achievement Program I moved in a day earlier than the rest of the first-year students, and was able to fit everything I had brought from home. I squeezed and smashed my life from Colorado into my mom’s car and a couple days later found myself lying in my new bed, which had been suspended in the air by 6” C-Clamps and chains. I cannot tell you how I’ll ever get used to swinging straight into the wall every time I get into bed. But hey, it’s college, right?
            The week was full of amazing activities and forced ice breakers, including Never Have I Ever (clean version) in the front yard of Armstrong/Douglas during floor meetings, Dragon Boat Races, and riveting and inspirational speakers every night.
            It was like what every kid dreams summer camp will be like, and for a kid that never went to summer camp, it was everything I had expected and way more. I honestly can’t imagine a more welcoming orientation week. It was perfect for making new friends, and delaying homesickness for a while at least.
            Today was the second day of classes and the general consensus for the freshman around campus is that orientation ended much too quickly! On the first night of classes I had a couple hours of homework, but I’m staying positive, and hoping that somehow, someday, I’ll feel as comfortable in the classroom, as I do in Cedar Rapids and my new home.

Monday, August 27, 2012

New Faces of Kohawk Tennis - LAURA BIRKY

My name is Curtis Newman.  I am a senior on the Men's tennis team and I am doing an internship this school year with Coach Rodgers, Coach Kris, and Coach Brad.  I will be posting each Monday morning to give you some inside information on one of our freshmen tennis players.  This week will be about Laura Hensley-Birky.




Name: Laura Hensley-Birky  
      
Birthdate: 11/27/93

Hometown: I was born here in Cedar Rapids and have lived here my entire life.

Favorite Tennis Player: Roger Federer is my favorite tennis player.  He’s my favorite because he is the best player ever.  I also like him because he makes tennis look easy and makes you want to be a better player.

Favorite non-tennis sport/hobby: Volleyball is my favorite sport to play besides tennis.  I’ve been around volleyball my entire life and started playing competitively when I was 8.  

General background information:  My parents are Tom and Kathy Birky.  We have 2 dogs – Maggie (beagle) and Lucy (Belgian shepherd).   I have 4 older sisters: Sarah, Teresa, Katie and Elizabeth.  I am also an aunt! I have 8 amazing nieces and nephews.  As I was growing up I played softball, volleyball, and tennis.  In high school I played volleyball and tennis.  In volleyball I was a 3 year varsity player (setter) making an appearance in 2 state tournaments.  In tennis I was a 4 year varsity player making an appearance in 1 state tournament.  Tennis awards I received in high school include: Second team all-conference, second team all-metro, first team all-conference, and first team all-metro, and team captain for 2 years.  

What separates you from everyone else:
I love being part of a team and feel strongly about doing well for not only myself, but for the whole team.  Playing team sports and coming from a big family I understand the importance of working together as individuals to attain the goal of the group.  That may be one reason why I love playing doubles so much!  I always play my best when my outcome is going to affect my team.  Whether I am playing on the court or sitting on the sideline, you will see me supporting my teammates.  I am excited to be part of the Kohawk tennis team!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Weekend Recap

Coach Brad and myself played in the Elmcrest Country Club Pro-Am to support Alzheimer's.  Highlights:
-  Emmie serving as, in her words, a "ball buddy".
-  Upon being thanked for throwing a ball in, Emmie asking BJ, "How do you know my name?"
-  Coach Rodgers, Brad and I getting 90 minutes in on the Elmcrest clay after Pro-Am play wrapped up on Saturday.
-  Coach Rodgers spending the next 35 minutes grooming that clay court.  No doubt dreaming (the entire time) of having his own one day.
-  129 mph serve to win the Fast Serve Contest (NOT by Brad or I)
-  Since rain, a LONG day of play at Coe today.
-  Emmie informing Coach Rodgers that she, not he, was in charge of the Racquet Center.  Coach held his ground despite tears.

Notes from last week:
-  The women actually kicked off Monday's practice with Zumba; instructed by Tai of course.  Newcomers Diannah & Brittany have some rhythm!  I do not.  But am learning.
-  Laura notched me in practice.  Her jaw dropped in surprise as she waited for my reaction.  I was ecstatic, which eased her trepidation.  In that same practice, Sara notched Brad.  She was not nearly as surprised, nor fearful at all.  Believe we got a fist pump instead.

Video of Woolf on Coe's climbing wall....


Will also repost Woolf's fast hands video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqGo9A3yDiA

Kohawk Tennis pool party Monday night!  Pictures to come.

School year kicks off tomorrow.  A Fall line-up for you on the blog:
Monday - New Faces of Kohawk Tennis
Tuesday - The Kroll Report
Wednesday - 16 Weeks to Better Health (weekly featured recipe within)
Thursday - Coach Brad Chiming In....not themed, or titled yet.
Friday - Picture of the Week
Additional input/posts throughout including Coach Rodgers' weekend previews and recaps, etc.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Week 1....

We're 3 days into practice/season.....the women (all 12 of them!) wrapped up their 15th hour on court this morning.  Thought I had posted pictures from my phone on Opening Day, but it appears that the post did not go through.  A couple of pictures below.  Great progress thus far!

Mid-way through practice, and randomly, Hoff asked me for a pumpkin muffin.  Guess it is an expectation now that I provide them?  I did eventually bring her a gingerbread cookie.....as that was what Emmie insisted we bake the night prior.  Her nutrition must be working.....covering quite the distance in the pictured Alley Hops.  Small, but Mighty!

7 new Kohawk men moved onto campus this morning also.  We arranged a quick meet and greet at the end of women's practice to go over administrative tasks.  Wish had snapped a picture of the group.  Each Monday, the blog will feature a New Faces post so you can get to know the new members.

Tom Jennings ('08) stopped in to the office today to say hello.  He is a teaching pro at Westfield Tennis Club in Cedar Rapids; along with Rusty Graff ('93).  As alums pop in, my first order of business is to rid the tennis office of 20+ years of "paperwork" that has accumulated.....ordered pictures, ITA Scholar Athlete Certificates, NCAA Tournament Participant Certificates, Coe Varsity Awards, etc.  I tasked Tom with presenting to Rusty his Certificate from 1991.  For all other alums, please come in to collect (and say hi) or give me permission to dispose of.  Note the STACK of awards pictured below.
Tom was also introduced to Brad.  They were reminiscing about their own college days, and the fact that Coe had played UT-Tyler in the Spring of 2007.  Tom griped about having to walk through a golf course to get to the courts.....apparently, there was a marathon taking place so parking was limited; rumor has it that Coach Rodgers was not pleased??  We pulled the scorebook (more paperwork that fills the office; Tom & Brad pictured studying it below) only to discover that Tom and Brad had played each other in doubles.  Tom and TJ Leicht won that doubles match, and Coe won the meet 6-3.  For the record of course.
The Schupbach family pictured below also.  Andrea graduated from Coe in 2010 as a Doubles All-American, and now serves as an Admission Counselor for Coe!  Michelle (striking a forehand above) is a nursing major, one of our current seniors/leaders, and plays at the top of our Singles and Doubles line-up (Singles and Doubles Conference Champion last year).  As evidenced by the family portrait, the Schupbach's consider Coe a part of their family, and Coe / Kohawk Tennis is very fortunate because of it. 
Emmie started a new school year on Tuesday.  Her teacher, Mrs. Jackie Adair, was a golfer at Coe.  She also begins gymnastics this evening.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

IA Midlands Adult Open

Along with the Iowa Open (played and recapped 3 weeks ago), Midlands is another popular Eastern Iowa tournament.

In the Men's Open field, 5th seeded Curtis Newman ('13) defeated two GAC players, 2nd seeded Mya Smith-Dennis (GAC #2) and 7th seeded Logan Peterson, en route to the final where he fell to top seeded, Amrik Donkena (GAC #1).

Warren Lock took the crown in Men's 55 Singles.  Warren was my first ever tennis coach, and is a face often seen in the Racquet Center hitting tennis balls with his daughter, a Coe student.  Warren had some success in his playing days as well....Davis Cup to be specific.  Lock also took the 55 Doubles Title, partnered with Richard Tubbs, and defeating Steve Tyler (Head Coach, Central) in the Final.

Chuck Lampe pulled out of 4.5 Men's Singles with an injury.  Will have to check up on him this week. I do give him credit for playing 4.5 this year; where he belonged last year.

Dating back to the Iowa Open, I failed to mention that Scott Nau, and his partner Patrick Deignan, won the Men's 45 Doubles draw.  Doc Nau (along with his wife, Gail Nau) consistently support Kohawk Tennis, and are seen in the Racquet Center a few times each week.  Luckily, I and many other members of the Kohawk Tennis family, can text/call him when advice is needed on the medical side and he is "out of the office"....aka playing tennis.

Yes, I tried to sleep between my last post (2 hours ago) and this.  Did I mention that season starts first thing Monday morning?  Believe Coach mentioned having had trouble sleeping Saturday night.  And no doubt Coach Brad is anxious to get going as well!

Team Dinner!

Women's team arrived to campus today!  We kicked off the season with a dinner in the Racquet Center for players, parents, family, etc.  5 players returned, 7 joined.  12 in total to double our squad size!



Anyone have an Entertainment Center they can donate to clean up the corner, game systems, television, etc?  An upcoming project!

Can't wait for 8:30 AM practice!  Conditioning within.  :)  Pictures and recap to come!

Per request (from this evening's dinner), I am re-posting my pumpkin muffin recipe.  Pumpkin is a SuperFood, and Dark Chocolate is included as such in the second edition.  I usually double the recipe below.

  • 1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds
  • 1 1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 Can (16 Ounces) Pure Pumpkin 
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/2 Cup Agave Nectar 
  • 1/4 Cup Applesauce (when recipe is doubled, this amounts to one small container; cinnamon flavored applesauce is fine)
  • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
  • 1/2 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips
Mix all ingredients together.....using a spatula is fine; needn't have a mixer.  Bake at 350 for approximately 22 minutes.  When doubled, makes approximately 36 muffins.

Also pictured below......Emmie had two days off of school this past week.  She spent part of that time in the Racquet Center.  Built a "transportation city" with Lindsay; it expanded considerably after this picture was taken.  And brought Kelsey's childhood days back to her by re-introducing snap bracelets.



Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Office, Screens, Emmie & Tomatoes!

New windscreens (with logo) on the courts!  Looks very slick.  A project Coach Rodgers took the lead on this Summer.


While Coach was away for his annual walkabout last year, the office was painted (gold with crimson accents).  The countertops were also epoxied so as to rid us of the 20 year old green laminate.  This year, the cabinets, doors and trim were sanded and refinished.  The office was also cleaned/gutted....Kelsey and I purged much and remain thankful that we held onto, and found, the two remotes that control the main foyer TV's....they were missing for a half day and Coach was not happy!  Thanks go Kelsey, Lindsay and Shishir for their help!  Pumpkin muffins for all coming soon!


Since on the topic of SuperFoods (pumpkin).....like that transition :)......tomatoes are in season!  Emmie and I spent some time in the garden of close friends of mine (Kylie and Ryan) and my Aunt Verla (she is 89 years old and full of life) this past weekend.  With an excess of fresh tomatoes, I found a recipe to roast and freeze them for Winter stews, chili and/or spaghetti sauce:
Roasted Roma Tomatoes (can substitute any other variety as well)
I have also promised Verla and Kylie pumpkin muffins in exchange for the wonderful produce.


Also pictured, Coach giving Emmie a tennis lesson in the Racquet Center!  Earlier in the day, I received a call from her school stating that she was sick and I needed to pick her up.  In reality, and in her own words, "I choked on a pea at lunch, and my stomach didn't like it."  She was grinning from ear to ear when I picked her up, whilst all of the other kids were sanctioned to nap time.


Brad arrives today.  He is in Wichita, KS en route now.  Practice starts Monday.  Orientation Wednesday!

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Back & Prepping for the 20th!

Well, I did make it back to Cedar Rapids last weekend, and have been swamped with preparation for the upcoming school year and Fall Season. Ladies begin on Monday, August 20th at 830am! Just today finished up the Practice Plans for the first three days(7 practices). I have also been failing in my attempts to keep up with Coach Kris. She(along with Lindsey, Kelsie, and Shishir) tore apart the Pro Shop for re-modeling, got me to purchase a microwave and pizza oven for the Kohawk Tennis Lounge, is immersed in a two-week fruit/vegetable(?) smoothie cleansing process, is wrapping up uniform, hat and swag purchases, and working out twice daily. Pro shop pics forthcoming! Joe and I will be putting up new windscreens on the outdoor courts next week. Hopefully, Laura will help Joe out too! A surprise should be included in the new windscreens also. Again pics to follow upon installation! Until then, a couple of final pics from my Western sojourn.

West Lake, near Red Feather Lakes, CO, Roosevelt NF

And a vista from Theodore Roosevelt NP, ND