Kansas State head baseball coach, Pete Hughes, discusses the importance of parenting and raising a family while being a coach. He shares his experience of raising five children and the value of having them grow up in a college environment. Hughes talks about each of his children and their accomplishments, highlighting their unique talents and career paths. He emphasizes the importance of communication, listening, and understanding each child's individual needs. Hughes also shares his own upbringing in Brockton, Massachusetts, and how it shaped his values and resilience. He reflects on his college experience as a multisport athlete and his perspective on specialization in youth sports. In this conversation, Coach Pete Hughes discusses his experiences and insights as a college baseball coach and a father. He shares the influence of great leaders in college athletics on his coaching style and philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of consistency, discipline, and community in building a successful team culture. Coach Hughes also offers advice on coaching and parenting, including the value of high reps in skill development and the importance of limiting screen time for children. He concludes by discussing the impact of the 19 Ways program on his team and the community.

Louisiana Tech head football coach Sonny Cumbie discusses his upbringing in Snyder, Texas, and his love for sports. He emphasizes the importance of accountability, structure, and quality time in both parenting and coaching. Cumbie shares his approach to parenting his two boys, highlighting the need to support their interests while also teaching them the value of practice and hard work. He also discusses the challenges of managing frustration and expectations in both his own children and his players. Cumbie acknowledges the influence of his own coaches and mentors in shaping his coaching style and leadership philosophy.

Alexa and Darryl Keckler discuss the unique challenges and advantages of being married to another coach and how this influences both their coaching and parenting styles. They emphasize the importance of understanding what each other is going through, supporting each other during different sports seasons, and prioritizing the parent-child relationship over athletic success.

They highlight the importance of allowing their children to explore their interests without forcing them into specific sports or activities, and they emphasize teaching their children that their value isn't tied to their athletic performance but to who they are as individuals.

The Kecklers also discuss the complexities of youth sports, particularly the pressures of specialization and the influence of club coaches. They advocate for multi-sport participation and caution against early specialization, emphasizing the need for children to enjoy their sports experience.

Both coaches stress the importance of the life skills and values that sports teach, such as teamwork, hard work, and the importance of the journey rather than the destination — sharing insights into how they instill these values in both their children and their athletes.

Sonny Dykes, head football coach at TCU, shares insights on his upbringing in a coaching family and the influence of his parents. He emphasizes the importance of work ethic, family dynamics, and the impact of his mother's love for the arts. Dykes discusses his parenting approach, balancing his coaching career with family life, and creating a family atmosphere within his team. He highlights the value of community and continuity in creating consistency for his family and the families of his coaching staff. Dykes also discusses his leadership philosophy and the importance of holding young people accountable while caring for them as individuals.

West Virginia head coach Neal Brown and his wife, Brooke Brown, discuss their upbringing, parenting approach, and the importance of sports in their children's lives. They emphasize the value of being present for their kids and supporting their interests and activities. They also talk about the challenges of parenting teenagers and the need to adapt to each child's individual needs. The Browns highlight the importance of enjoying the process and having fun in sports, rather than focusing solely on outcomes. They also discuss the role of coaching in their parenting style and the importance of being a unified front for their children.

Parenting is a must-win game. That's true for all of us, including some of the most accomplished coaches and leaders in athletics across the country.

Presented by Black Raven and Little U Productions, Championship Parenting is a weekly master class on parenting and leadership from some of the top coaches, administrators and executives across the landscape of American sports — each of whom have children of their own, and a wealth of relatable stories and insight to share.

Each Tuesday, host Kolby Paxton chops it up with guests like TCU head football coach Sonny Dykes, Arkansas head softball coach Courtney Deifel, Notre Dame men's lacrosse coach Kevin Corrigan, and Clemson athletic director Graham Neff, just to name a few.

Championship Parenting makes its debut on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Here's a sneak peak of what's ahead.

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