This is officially the conclusion of Season #1 of the “Tell Me Your Story, Coach” Podcast. I appreciate everyone listening. Hopefully, we helped some young coaches learn and grow. In Episode #1, I said the goal was to talk to 100 Coaches. We accomplished this goal! My parents always told me to finish what I had started. And I thought it was imperative that my 7-year-old son, JJ, saw this example firsthand. I am unsure how and when and, honestly if ever, Season 2 will happen. The past 18 months have been super fun but also very challenging. Creating a weekly podcast takes hours upon hours of work. I can’t thank my wife, Liz, for her support- Enough! This podcast has been, indeed, a labor of love. I was unsure, before this podcast, that I ever helped a coach grow. That is, if I ever gave back to the coaching industry. I am proud to say that I can now sleep at night, knowing that I gave back to the coaching industry. Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank all 100 coaches who took time out of their busy schedules and trusted me to tell their coaching stories. I will be eternally grateful. 

Coach Elyse Schlump,
Today we are talking to Coach Elyse Schlump. Coach Elyse is currently the Head Coach at Concordia University. This season marks Coach Elyse’s first season as the Head Coach. She was hired as the Head Coach on July 1st. And, if you follow the WHAC, Coach has her team right in the mix in a highly challenging NAIA Women’s Basketball Conference. Coach Schlump played for and graduated from Concordia. As a player, she was a key team member who made a first-ever NAIA D2 National Tournament Appearance in 2011. So, Concordia is indeed home to her! Coach Elyse returns to Concordia after four seasons as the Director of Basketball Operations at Marist College. And, before her position at Marist, Coach Schlump was the Associate Head Coach at Skidmore College for five seasons. In this conversation, you will hear Coach Elyse discuss the impact her Dad, Dave, made on her coaching career. It is a tremendous tribute. In addition, wait to hear coach talk about her balancing challenging her players and being their best Cheerleader too. It is an excellent perspective into what makes Coach so successful.

Follow Coach Elyse Schlump @CoachSchlump

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Coach Jon Tropf,
Today we are talking to Coach Jon Tropf. Coach Tropf is currently an assistant coach for Head Coach Neal Young At Ohio Northern University. Coach Jon arrived at Ohio Northern after spending the past eight seasons at Goshen, including the previous five as their head coach. At Goshen, Coach Jon’s  2017-18 team led the Crossroads League in scoring with 84.9 points per game, the most in program history. In addition, this is Coach Jon’s second tenure with Coach Neal. Coach Jon was an assistant coach with Coach Neal from 2015 to 2017 at Goshen. Before Goshen, Coach Jon was a Graduate Assistant Coach for Head Coach Greg Kampe at Oakland University. And, before Oakland, Coach Jon graduated from Eastern Michigan University. While at EMU, Coach Jon spent four years as a men's basketball manager, including three as the head manager. I had the opportunity to spend one season with Coach Jon at EMU. I have always been so proud to see Coach Jon’s career take off. To see Coach Jon be a head coach at Goshen was a tremendous moment of great pride. And, this conversation is again so special. Coach Jon is not only a high-level coach but a wonderful husband and father. It is my pleasure to share his coaching story.

Follow Coach Jon Tropf @JonTropf 

 Follow Tell Me Your Story Coach @CoachKevinDro