Christian, husband, father, coach, teacher. Committed to building youth through positive transformational leadership. Head Boys Basketball Coach at EC Memorial
Overwhelmed by emotion from tonight. Thinking about all the people I need to thank. Admin, ECASD staff, my family, parents of all my players, Alumni, students, fans, assistant coaches, and most importantly the players. You all make the
@OldAbesBB
a special family.
#oldabeproud
Honored and humbled to receive the Coaching Achievement Award from the WBCA. It serves as a precious reminder of the special year we had last year, and provides the basis for the standard of excellence we now have in our program. Letโs go build on this!
#oldabepride
#ubuntu
...Alright, based on requests by several of my seniors that couldnโt make the meeting I will post a picture of my outfit for them to view. I love working with the future of tomorrow and I am honored to have a job that allows me to build such strong connections.
#oldabepride
Thoughts and prayers go out to Old Abe senior hooper
@cooper_kapanke
today as he undergoes knee surgery. With his effort and determination, we know we will see him back on the floor soon!
#oldabepride
Words cannot express how thankful I am for the awesome group of young men that I had the opportunity to coach this season. The passion, toughness, and class they played with tonight embody the essence of high school athletics. Thank you all!
#oldabepride
#onmemorial
#family
Thank you to the amazing group of young men in the
@OldAbesBB
that inspired so many people this year. Woke up this morning to one young man that couldnโt wait to start working to be like you!
#oldabepride
One of the true joys coaching is when you get a chance to catch up with your former playersโฆso thankful these three young men stopped today. My heart is full and I canโt wait to see their careers unfold!
#oldabepride
#ubuntu
@Wboser3
@LJWells4
@Cadenboser33
Congratulations to
@avery_hoepner
for going over the 1,000 point mark in his career. I had the privilege of coaching this young man for 2 years. He embodies everything you hope for in a player. Lots of unseen hours made him the player he is today. Proud of you!
#mondovipride
What a great night. I couldnโt be more proud of how the guys played together for a big win on the road. A special shout out to the student section tonight. The e emotion and energy you bought to the gym was amazing!
#oldabepride
#letsflytogether
Culture award goes out to
@colin_dueringer
Tanner Linduski and
@grantgerber1252
after a long trip back last night these three men picked up the bus. None of the mess was theirs but they made sure to pick up their teammates. Best part,they did it without being asked.
#oldabepride
When school has been cancelled 3 days in a row:
Bennett-โDad, what are you looking at?โ
Me-โthe results of the 1997 NBA draft.โ
Bennett-โWhy?โ
Me-โ....โ
Bennett-โItโs ok Dad. I do weird things too.โ
๐
I wanted to give a shout out to the our (Memorial) student section. It was awesome to have so many fans in attendance and you were loud! We will need you even more this Friday. Keep bringing the noise.
#oldabepride
I have the honor of being selected as the head coach of the WBCA Division 1 All-Star Red Team. As part of the game, we fundraise to donate to worthwhile charities. If you can, please click on the following link to support these charities:
Great win tonight. Snapping Hudsonโs 11 game winning streak. The best part of this group, they canโt wait to get in and work even harder at the next practice!
#oldabepride
Love seeing
@shorty_sampson
Loved coaching him and it was awesome watching him achieve so many great things on the football field this past year for the Badgers.
#oldabepride
#oldabefamily
Congratulations to this outstanding young man. I hope every player I ever coach embraces your attributes and carries himself the way you do. I canโt think of a better example for what Mr Basketball should strive to be. Good luck today!
Thank you to this tremendous group of young men. You gave me a memory that will last a lifetime! I canโt wait to watch all of you play at the next level.
#WBCAproud
Thank you to the Old Abe Booster Club for purchasing new uniforms for our varsity team this year! We are so grateful to have your support for not just our program but all things
@OldAbeAthletics
!
#oldabepride
...Thank you for being role models for the younger players, the members of the school, and for my own children. I love you seniors with my full heart. To the returning players, the torch has now been passed and you have the ability to fan the flame...
There are very few greater feelings than sitting in a coachโs office after your team plays their hearts out and pulls off a big win. Everyone needs to know this is because of every single player on this team busting their tails off in practice,...
Filled my cup today. The support of former players coming back to honor the signees of the current class represents all we hope to do as the
@OldAbesBB
family.
@ShawMekhi
continues to provide a lasting legacy of what it means to be an Old Abe!
#oldabepride
#ubuntu
This group of young men spent the first part of 7th period as volunteers cleaning up the common area in front of the school. They didnโt leave the mess but they chose to make Memorial a better place by cleaning up after others. Phenomenal group of young men!
#oldabepride
Thoughts and prayers are with
@ShawMekhi
this morning as he goes into surgery. There is no doubt this young man will comeback stronger than he was before! Take care young man; your Old Abe family is here for you!
#oldabepride
First day back in my room at the building and I found this gift wrapped and sitting on my desk. An awesome shot of history commemorating the history of Memorial hoops. Thank you for whoever sent gave this to me. It is a great day to be an Old Abe!
#oldabepride
Just when I thought for the first time in four years I wouldnโt have a Shaw in my gym, a younger, tougher one decided she was going to show up and earn her run. ๐๐๐ฅ
@ShawMekhi
@Shaw_Playmakers
I was sent this picture from the Mondovi Yearbook. I am humbled to still be in their minds. I loved every minute I had with this crew of seniors. I hope they enjoy their final days walking the Mondovi halls! I know they made may final days an unforgettable time.
#mondovipride
Congrats to former Mondovi Buffalo, Zach Ganschow, on working the D3 State title game tonight. Awesome to see him still staying involved in the game!
#mondovipride
Happy 16 years of wedded bliss to the most wonderful, loving, and caring woman. I have loved every minute of the journey together and look forward to many more years spent on this earth with you. Love you Jamie Brandt Brieske !
The night before the season starts is the one of the best nights. The anticipation of the journey for each season is a feeling that cannot be replicated.
#oldabepride
#ubuntu
#23journeystartsnow
31 of the returning 36 basketball players found their way into the weight room today via their spring sport lifting, before or after school off season lifting. Tremendous commitment by these athletes to get better.
#oldabepride
To the is group of seniors your leadership and dedication to this program has been evident from the very beginning. Nate Hau, Simon Larson, Connor Stoik, and Cooper Kapanke you have embodied the best attributes of high school athletes...
Congrats to Darin Gray and the Mondovi Boys for starting the season off 2-0! Proud or what you guys are doing on and off the court down there!
#mondovipride
Thoughts and prayers go out to
@NathanHau2
on his surgery tomorrow. One of the most impressive people I have gotten to know while coaching. No doubts that this man will come back stronger and be a major force on the college hoops scene!
#oldabepride
A big congratulations to the
@OldAbesBB
2022 graduates. We are so proud of you and canโt wait to see the great things you will accomplish!
#oldabepride
#ubuntu
As I warmup my supper tonight, I just am reflecting on how incredibly proud I am of the 80+ young men that tried out for basketball tonight. It is a joy to be around such a tight knit group that supports each other through it all.
#oldabepride
#ubuntu
Extremely proud of
@LJWells4
we were able to celebrate his signing with
@NKUNorseMBB
today. This man has a bright future and we cannot wait to see where he takes this opportunity to continue his growth as a player and person. Leave your legacy young man!
#oldabepride
#ubuntu
Proud of this group of guys for winning the Consolation Championship of the River Falls Team Camp. Had a tough day on Saturday, but refocused and won 4 in a row to claim the title.
#oldabepride
Congratulation to
@dalton3banks
for an awesome debut tonight for SIU. Quite a start to what will be a spectacular career. Always enjoy seeing local kids succeed at the highest level.
#ecasdpride
A funny thing happened at the gym today. Open gym is scheduled for 8:30 am, but 23 guys, including their coach, never checked the schedule at showed up at 6 am out of habitโฆ
...I also am making good on a deal. I will be dressing up as my historical doppelgรคnger for our final meeting today (1:45-2:15 pm). While I was supposed to wear the costume all day, a virtual celebration will have to suffice. Tune into to see who wore it better...
#oldabepride
I am so proud of
@avery_hoepner
for all that he has accomplished. I am also humbled as he selected me as one of his role models to be honored at the DSC Scholar Athlete Banquet. I cannot wait to see what he does at the next level and all that he will accomplish!
#mondovipride
Great way to start the morning! So proud of this group finding the way to do a little bit more. Sieze the day; nothing is given; everything is earned!
#oldabepride
#ubuntu
I told Bennett to be careful with eating tonight and try to avoid getting sauce on his shirt. He responded by taking off his shirt and saying โletโs not kid ourselves Dadโ l๐
Feel for
@grantgerber1252
as he broke his collarbone last night during the final football game, but I know the strength and character of this young man will have him back on the hardwood soon! Take care young man and get healthy!
#oldabepride
Congratulations to
@MasonStoik
and Connor Welsch for being named as some of the top juniors in the state. I know these two are already putting in the work needed to show what they will become!
#oldabepride
#ubuntu
Shared a lot of fond memories and moments with this amazing young man the past three days. Thank you for being a role model for my boys. We know great things are ahead, and we look forward to seeing all you accomplish.
@ShawMekhi
#oldabepride
#ubuntu
Great effort in the scrimmage tonight....I received one of the best compliments you can ever get as a coach when another coach asked me at the end how we get our guys to play so hard and yet be so respectful!
#oldabepride
#layanotherbrick
#together
I want to thank the
@wiaawi
for all they do. They were faced with an enourmously difficult task today and handled it with class and professionalism. If you watched the meeting, you understand the difficult decisions and the thorough discussions taking place across this state.
I have to give a special thank you to my amazing assistant coaches, Kyle Kaufman and Brandon Gullicksrud. You were so important in the building of all we accomplished at Memorial. It was a joy and a blessing to share this with you.
#oldabepride
#ubuntu