1 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:05,760 Speaker 1: Being the top prospect in the country. It's a great 2 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:08,680 Speaker 1: place to be at, but you gotta stay there as well. 3 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:11,399 Speaker 1: So the work is not going to stop. But the 4 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:14,120 Speaker 1: main thing is just going out there and having fun, 5 00:00:14,360 --> 00:00:17,000 Speaker 1: because once you lose the fun in the game, and 6 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:19,319 Speaker 1: there's really a head point in playing. This is the 7 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:22,799 Speaker 1: Reformed Sports Project, a podcast about restoring healthy balance and 8 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 1: perspective in all areas of sports through education and advocacy. Hi, 9 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:31,280 Speaker 1: this is Nick Bonacoor from the Reformed Sports Podcast. Today 10 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:34,839 Speaker 1: I'm speaking with the father son duo Kevin and Connor Griffin. 11 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:37,560 Speaker 1: Kevin is the head softball coach and assistant a d 12 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:40,800 Speaker 1: at Bellhaven University, and Connor is a multi sport high 13 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:43,720 Speaker 1: school athlete, one of the top baseball players in the country, 14 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:47,200 Speaker 1: and a recent LSU commit. Kevin Connor and I discuss 15 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 1: why Connor made conscious decisions to prioritize his mental health, 16 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:54,080 Speaker 1: the importance of playing for yourself, and why both parents 17 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 1: and kids should take their time throughout the college recruiting process. 18 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:02,120 Speaker 1: I am super excited I did. I got my man, coach, 19 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 1: Kevin Griffin tonight, joined by his son. I want to 20 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:07,360 Speaker 1: say one of the studs of the family because their 21 00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:10,080 Speaker 1: family is still with Studs. But my man, Connor, Griffin, 22 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 1: Connor and coach, thank you so much for hopping on 23 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 1: joining us. Thank you for happy Yeah, I appreciate it. 24 00:01:16,680 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 1: You're welcome, and uh, I want to start here kind 25 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:23,199 Speaker 1: of go way back Coach Griffin. Um, well, first off, Connor, 26 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:26,720 Speaker 1: congratulations on your commitment here recently to LSU. Let's start 27 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,480 Speaker 1: their congratulations. That's pretty freaking awesome. That had to be, 28 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 1: uh exciting to get off your chest or you know 29 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:36,680 Speaker 1: what was that like? No, it was. It was very exciting. 30 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,399 Speaker 1: A decision I've been wanting to make for for a 31 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 1: few years now after going through the recruiting process, and 32 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 1: you know, it was awesome and LSU was my favorite 33 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: school and I just felt at home there and the 34 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 1: coaching staff they're awesome. Sou LSU a great place to 35 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 1: play baseball, so can't can't get wrong. Good for you, man, 36 00:01:57,600 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: good for you. And where I want to go back 37 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:01,640 Speaker 1: and start here is you know, I connected with with 38 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: coach Griffin, who's the head softball coach at Belhaven University keV, 39 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 1: and we we connected probably like I was almost just 40 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 1: four years ago, and I think it was just you know, 41 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:13,080 Speaker 1: on social media, you know, through content and kind of 42 00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 1: sharing life minded stuff. Connor, you must have been in 43 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:19,399 Speaker 1: like fifth grade or something, you know, a little guy. 44 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:22,799 Speaker 1: But but I guess Coach Griffin ever since then, um, 45 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:25,079 Speaker 1: you know, several years ago. Was really in the very 46 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:28,200 Speaker 1: beginning when Reformed Sports Projects started. You seem to be 47 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 1: like into it, like you seem to vibe with it. 48 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:32,800 Speaker 1: You and I connected. I guess I want to ask you, like, 49 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:36,040 Speaker 1: what was it, you know, being a softball coach, you know, 50 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 1: being a parent, what was it for you that kind 51 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 1: of drew in like, Hey, you know, I think this 52 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:45,720 Speaker 1: Reformed Sports Projects guy Nick might be doing some good stuff. Well, 53 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:49,480 Speaker 1: I felt like, you know, going through the process in 54 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:52,680 Speaker 1: the beginning, with Connor especially, I felt like a lot 55 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 1: of people were kind of chasing the I called it 56 00:02:56,800 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: the race to be blessed on social media, you know, 57 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:02,040 Speaker 1: with all the commitments and people were committing at a 58 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 1: young age. And I think you made some comments about 59 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 1: how kids really couldn't understand the process. They can't understand 60 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: if they were really ready to make a decision that 61 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 1: was so important. And I agreed with you on those fronts. 62 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 1: And then you're talking about multi sport athletes, and I've 63 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 1: always felt like, you know, especially young kids. You see 64 00:03:26,320 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 1: elementary kids that are specializing these days. And I saw 65 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:32,680 Speaker 1: some comments you made about that, and I really felt 66 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 1: like we connected and had the same similar ideas on 67 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 1: those subjects. Oh, I'm glad you brought that up. Obviously, 68 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:40,040 Speaker 1: I played at the Division three level, you being a 69 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 1: Division three coach, I always steal that bond as well. 70 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 1: But at the same time, like, why is it? I 71 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 1: guess I want to ask you, Connorwood, You're you're in 72 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 1: the trenches still, You're playing basketball. If I'm not mistaken, 73 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 1: you know, I know you've been playing football for years. 74 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:56,600 Speaker 1: Like what kind of sentiment out there is there today? 75 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 1: Is there like this feeling that kids are being told 76 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:01,760 Speaker 1: to play one sport at a very very young age, 77 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 1: And it's so how did you kind of not fall 78 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: into that trap? You know? I just I have fun 79 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 1: playing every sport that I can, Like, I'm just a competitor, 80 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 1: and I want to go out and help my school win. 81 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 1: When a basketball game, when a baseball game, like it 82 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:21,599 Speaker 1: doesn't matter as long as that I'm helping my school out. 83 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 1: It's it's a lot of fun, and you know, playing 84 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:27,640 Speaker 1: different sports, Like I played just basketball and baseball. Now 85 00:04:27,760 --> 00:04:30,920 Speaker 1: I gave up football this past year. But each sport 86 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:36,039 Speaker 1: helps like build muscles for like different sports. Playing basketball, 87 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:38,279 Speaker 1: you're using your shoulders and your arms a lot, and 88 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:41,760 Speaker 1: that goes right into baseball with pitching and throw and 89 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:44,040 Speaker 1: building those shoulder muscles up. It just, I mean, it 90 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:46,599 Speaker 1: all benefits each other. And you know, that's where I 91 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 1: find where most kids can miss out if they're just 92 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: playing one sport. And also you may you may get 93 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 1: burned out of that sport pretty fast at a young age. 94 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 1: And you know, baseball, to me, it can become a 95 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:01,159 Speaker 1: job after high school and college. Right now, I'm going 96 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 1: to play different sports and just have fun doing it 97 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:06,440 Speaker 1: because right now I'm still a high school athlete and 98 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:09,320 Speaker 1: that's what it's all about. And Coach Griffin, was it 99 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:11,880 Speaker 1: an advantage for you being a college coach? Like were 100 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:13,760 Speaker 1: you able to look at it through a lens like, hey, 101 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:16,159 Speaker 1: I know my stuff or did you even liked What 102 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:19,600 Speaker 1: was it like for you going through that process with Connor? Well? 103 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 1: I always wanted him to play basketball, for sure, cotch 104 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 1: basketball for twenty years before I started coaching softball, So 105 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:30,599 Speaker 1: I always wanted him to play that because that was 106 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:35,440 Speaker 1: my passion and my love the football piece of it. 107 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:38,440 Speaker 1: I was not always as big of a fan, just 108 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:41,440 Speaker 1: because as he went through the recruiting process and we 109 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:45,760 Speaker 1: kind of saw the projections and what people said about 110 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:49,520 Speaker 1: his ability to move on and play, I really wasn't 111 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:51,719 Speaker 1: a fan of the football side of things, just because 112 00:05:51,760 --> 00:05:54,919 Speaker 1: of the inherent risk that you see the physicality of 113 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 1: the sport. I would say, though, ninety nine percent of 114 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 1: athletes across the tree are not fortunate enough to be 115 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:06,479 Speaker 1: in the situation that a player like Connor is blessed 116 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:10,840 Speaker 1: to be in, and it probably doesn't even apply to 117 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 1: nine nine percent of the athletes across the country. So 118 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 1: I think his situation is a little bit different. And 119 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,120 Speaker 1: if I had an eighth grader or a ninth grader 120 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:23,320 Speaker 1: that was just, you know, an average or above average athlete, 121 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 1: I probably would say, play as much as you can play. 122 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 1: I always hear people argue, and first I guess I'll ask, 123 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:31,640 Speaker 1: I'll ask Connor this, and I'd love to get your 124 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:34,719 Speaker 1: take on it. I'll hear people say, you know, athletes 125 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:37,919 Speaker 1: that play multiple sports are only able to do so 126 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:41,279 Speaker 1: because they're great athletes. Whereas I argued, and I was 127 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 1: never a great athlete, but I think playing multiple sports 128 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 1: helped me to become a better baseball player. I think 129 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:50,800 Speaker 1: it helped me to become a better athlete. Connor, for you, 130 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:53,320 Speaker 1: is it because you're such a great athlete you're able 131 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:56,040 Speaker 1: to perform in different sports or do you think playing 132 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: different helped you to become better overall? You know, I 133 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 1: think just playing different sports helped me become better overall, 134 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:06,640 Speaker 1: just because, like I said, you have a mindset of 135 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:10,560 Speaker 1: wanting to win, and you just learn that competitiveness as 136 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:13,679 Speaker 1: you play those different sports, and so that all adds 137 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 1: up to help you in the long run for baseball. 138 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 1: So I'd say playing all those sports have helped me. 139 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:23,200 Speaker 1: How long the years? And coach Griffith, do you feel 140 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:24,920 Speaker 1: the same way? I mean, you're you're in the middle 141 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 1: of coaching, you know, college softball players. You see the 142 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:30,960 Speaker 1: same thing with the ladies that you coach. I do. 143 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 1: One of my best players actually plays volleyball at Belle 144 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:37,440 Speaker 1: Haven in the fall, and she's the best player on 145 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 1: their team as well, So I think there's a little 146 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 1: give and take. Of course, she might could be even 147 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 1: better as a softball player. She spent the whole fall 148 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 1: with us, but volleyball is important to her. It's part 149 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 1: of her collegiate experience, and it's something she's done for 150 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 1: a long time, and I didn't want to deny her 151 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 1: the opportunity to do that. And she also helps our 152 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:05,120 Speaker 1: school win games and another sport as well. I love 153 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 1: that and I think it's one of the most interesting. 154 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 1: And I gotta say, against the grain, I mean you 155 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 1: mentioned before of the kids in this country are in 156 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: the position Connors in, right. I mean, let's make no 157 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 1: mistake about it. He's projected by some to be a 158 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:22,520 Speaker 1: first round draft pick in a couple of years. I mean, 159 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:26,640 Speaker 1: you know that that in and of itself is unbelievable. 160 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:30,680 Speaker 1: But you if I'm not mistaken, Connor, and I'd like 161 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:34,079 Speaker 1: to ask you, coach here. You see on social media 162 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 1: all the time now and it seems like it's all 163 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 1: the time, but it's really not. But you're seeing more 164 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:43,360 Speaker 1: and more eighth graders, ninth graders committing to schools. Right, 165 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:46,840 Speaker 1: I know what a commitment is, you guys know, what 166 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:49,520 Speaker 1: can you explain to people? What does it mean to 167 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:52,240 Speaker 1: be committed? Because people think, oh, I'm committed, I got 168 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 1: a full rid. Well, that doesn't necessarily mean that at all. 169 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 1: Can you walk us through that? And then especially now 170 00:08:57,240 --> 00:08:59,960 Speaker 1: I'll go to you and talk about Connor's process in particular. 171 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 1: So with Connor, we always, you know, Kim and I 172 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:11,200 Speaker 1: as parents, really talk to him about what a commitment means. 173 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:15,640 Speaker 1: You can't commit to go in somewhere if you don't 174 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:17,960 Speaker 1: even know what a major is. There was times that 175 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 1: we would ask him in like eighth or ninth grade 176 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 1: what he wanted to major in, and you know, that's 177 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 1: one of those things that he didn't even know what 178 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:31,360 Speaker 1: that was. Also, as far as the whole process, we 179 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:34,800 Speaker 1: wanted him to be able to go through the experience 180 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 1: and the journey that is the college recruiting process and 181 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 1: get to the point where he can actually get on 182 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:44,840 Speaker 1: campus and take those visits before he made a decision. 183 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 1: And we were very adamant that that's the way we 184 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 1: wanted to handle his recruiting process. And I felt like 185 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:54,360 Speaker 1: we stuck to our guns and he bought into that 186 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:57,440 Speaker 1: and that's just the way that we handled it. And 187 00:09:57,679 --> 00:10:00,960 Speaker 1: I'm sure Connor has other thoughts some comments about the 188 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:05,320 Speaker 1: process as well. Yeah, So just taking my time with 189 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:08,160 Speaker 1: the whole process. It's probably the best thing that I 190 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:12,040 Speaker 1: could have done. Honestly. Um, yeah, I had offers at 191 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:14,720 Speaker 1: a young age, like going back to seventh grade, but 192 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 1: I didn't know those coaches as well as I do now, 193 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 1: Like the relationship that I've built with those guys as 194 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:25,320 Speaker 1: really just it's become a really great thing because if 195 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:27,760 Speaker 1: I would have committed somewhere in seventh or eighth grade, 196 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:29,920 Speaker 1: a few years on the road, those coaches could have 197 00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:33,559 Speaker 1: been at different schools and and like I just burnt 198 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:35,520 Speaker 1: a bunch of bridges with other coaches and now I 199 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:37,800 Speaker 1: need to get back in contact with it guys. So 200 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 1: the best thing to do is just to take your 201 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:43,720 Speaker 1: time with it and be patient, because you really you 202 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: really can see like where the coaches are going to 203 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 1: be like in the future. You can see what players 204 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 1: are going to be at the college when you get 205 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 1: there as well, and the type of team that you're 206 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 1: going to have. Right there's there's a bunch of benefits 207 00:10:57,440 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 1: to just taking your time and just enjoying the product. 208 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 1: Because going on a visit was it's one of the 209 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:05,920 Speaker 1: finest things I've ever done in the whole um. I 210 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:08,520 Speaker 1: really enjoyed it getting together the football games and to 211 00:11:08,600 --> 00:11:10,800 Speaker 1: take the pictures in the jerseys and all of that. 212 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:15,559 Speaker 1: So just like my dad said, taking your time, it's 213 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:18,040 Speaker 1: a huge benefit. And that's the process that I'd say 214 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:20,200 Speaker 1: to take, and I'd say that's the best process for me. 215 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:24,200 Speaker 1: I guess, keV coach, how did you resist the urge? 216 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:26,360 Speaker 1: You know what? Like? Like, because let's face it, I 217 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:28,680 Speaker 1: mean I have six kids. I have a son who 218 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:31,439 Speaker 1: signed a national letter intend to go wrestle in college 219 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:34,000 Speaker 1: next year. And you're proud. You know, your kids are excited. 220 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: You're proud, and you know, how do you rest because 221 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:41,200 Speaker 1: it's it's very easy to get caught up and the 222 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:44,200 Speaker 1: success of your kids, right, and there's nothing wrong with that, 223 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:47,880 Speaker 1: it's a great thing, but it almost seems like somebody 224 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:50,640 Speaker 1: has to be the one at times to pull it back. 225 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:53,320 Speaker 1: And if it's not the parents, it's certainly not going 226 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 1: to be a fourteen, fifteen, sixteen year old kids. So 227 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:57,880 Speaker 1: what advice can you give because i mean, let's face 228 00:11:57,960 --> 00:12:01,679 Speaker 1: you hit the nail head of parents out there aren't 229 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 1: gonna have to deal with, you know, a kid who's 230 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:07,280 Speaker 1: literally going to be a potentially first round draft pick 231 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:09,280 Speaker 1: in the draft. So how can these parents kind of 232 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:11,440 Speaker 1: manage their expectations, take their foot off the gas, and 233 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:14,800 Speaker 1: kind of trust the process and understand that they don't 234 00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:17,320 Speaker 1: have to rush it. Well, I think first of all, 235 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:21,120 Speaker 1: parents have to understand it's not about them. It's about 236 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:25,360 Speaker 1: the kid. It's about his journey, his experience, or her 237 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:28,920 Speaker 1: journey and her experience if it's a female afflete. But 238 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:31,880 Speaker 1: sometimes it's hard for a parent to understand that and 239 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:36,320 Speaker 1: let go of the whole process. We wanted Connor to 240 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 1: experience this the way that he wanted to, but we 241 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:42,000 Speaker 1: were going to kind of put some guidelines in front 242 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:44,600 Speaker 1: of him and say, you know, these are things that 243 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:46,559 Speaker 1: we want to wait on, we want to be more 244 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:51,200 Speaker 1: patient with. But we understood all along that this journey 245 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:55,120 Speaker 1: was all about him and it wasn't about us. And 246 00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:58,679 Speaker 1: I think, you know, we wanted him to handle it 247 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 1: in a very humble We don't have to really teach 248 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 1: him that because he's a very humble kid. We wanted 249 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:09,840 Speaker 1: the whole process to be God honoring and everything that 250 00:13:09,880 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 1: we did and and just handling in a way that 251 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:17,600 Speaker 1: that would police him. So that's the best advice that 252 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:20,280 Speaker 1: I can give any parent out there that might be 253 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:23,559 Speaker 1: going through this process, and at the end of the 254 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:26,520 Speaker 1: day you talked. We talked about commitment when it comes 255 00:13:26,559 --> 00:13:29,840 Speaker 1: to the legality because you hear these stories too, Right, Um, 256 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:33,480 Speaker 1: so and so committed in eighth grade and then that 257 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 1: offer wasn't there by the time they were a junior. 258 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 1: Um you know, so and so didn't develop. Obviously, Connor's 259 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:42,840 Speaker 1: a different situation, but you hear those stories where I'm 260 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:44,679 Speaker 1: not trying to call anything out, but coach, you know, 261 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 1: we know we hear these things, and it's true. It's 262 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:50,959 Speaker 1: it's kind of the wild wild West and college recruiting 263 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:53,120 Speaker 1: in baseball with the portal and all these things. So 264 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: I'm like coaches at times do have their back against 265 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:57,840 Speaker 1: the wall, you know, like you have to bring the 266 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:00,199 Speaker 1: best kids you can in there to win. But at 267 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 1: the same time, you know you want to get ahead 268 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:06,560 Speaker 1: of kids and project. So how can when you see commitment, 269 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:10,960 Speaker 1: kid commits tomorrow's a ninth grader, that kid doesn't develop 270 00:14:10,960 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 1: and all of a sudden that offers not there. Well, 271 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 1: when does a national letter of intent get inside what 272 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:17,120 Speaker 1: happens to these kids? If you've ever heard any of 273 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 1: these stories, well, you don't sign a national letter of 274 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 1: intent until November of your senior year of high school. 275 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 1: So if you're committing as an eighth grader, you're basically 276 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:30,160 Speaker 1: shutting down the recruiting process from the time that you 277 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 1: commit until the time that you graduate. And those coaches 278 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:37,240 Speaker 1: are no more committed to you than you are to them. 279 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:39,240 Speaker 1: You can bail on them, they can bail on you, 280 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:41,800 Speaker 1: and we've seen it a lot, and in this day 281 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 1: and age of the transfer portal, it's even more prevalent. 282 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 1: So it's just not a wise move, and in my opinion, 283 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 1: to commit at such an early age, just because it's 284 00:14:52,640 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 1: really not a commitment anymore. It's not binding and there's 285 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:03,239 Speaker 1: no party can hold the college, coach or the athlete 286 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 1: to their commitment. When we return, Kevin shares how he's 287 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:09,480 Speaker 1: learned to balance his role as both a parent and coach, 288 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 1: and Connor explains how visualizing success has helped improve his mindset. 289 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:22,400 Speaker 1: Welcome back where we left off. Kevin Connor and I 290 00:15:22,440 --> 00:15:24,440 Speaker 1: were about to talk about the benefits of having a 291 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:27,720 Speaker 1: support system and why playing for yourself helps take the 292 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:33,240 Speaker 1: pressure off Connor. With you now going into your you 293 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 1: reclassed up, which is, let mean, let's face that's kind 294 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 1: of unusual, right. I mean in this day and age, 295 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:40,640 Speaker 1: it seems like you want to hold back and be 296 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 1: the back. I think if you're a you're a sixteen 297 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 1: year old junior right now, I am okay, what are 298 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:50,240 Speaker 1: you looking at? As you got two more years to 299 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:53,840 Speaker 1: compete in high school? With the expectations, right, and I 300 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:56,360 Speaker 1: know you have great family, you have great people in 301 00:15:56,400 --> 00:16:00,680 Speaker 1: your corner. How do you manage these expect I mean, 302 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:04,640 Speaker 1: let's face it, they're there. I'm sure you welcome them. 303 00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 1: How are you doing with things from the mental side 304 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:11,240 Speaker 1: and to prepare yourself because um, you know you you 305 00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:13,240 Speaker 1: obviously got a lot, a lot to look forward to, 306 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 1: but also you know it's a lot that's out there 307 00:16:15,320 --> 00:16:18,480 Speaker 1: that that's talked about with Conter Griffin. Yeah, for sure. 308 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 1: I'd say this past summer, the right after our reclass 309 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:25,120 Speaker 1: I did put a lot of pressure on myself to 310 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 1: just succeed at a higher level, and that that really 311 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:31,080 Speaker 1: just kind of missed my game and how I normally play. 312 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:34,800 Speaker 1: And so I just had to regroup myself over the 313 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: offseason and just think like this is a kids a 314 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:40,080 Speaker 1: game like it's supposed to be for fun. So you know, 315 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 1: I'm just gonna go out there during my last two 316 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 1: high school seasons and just enjoy the game of baseball 317 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 1: with the people I go to school with, and just 318 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 1: going to compete every day and just work hard and 319 00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:55,880 Speaker 1: not really think about the expectations that people have for me. 320 00:16:56,240 --> 00:16:58,560 Speaker 1: And yeah, I know they're there because it's always in 321 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:01,360 Speaker 1: the back of my head, and it just makes me 322 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:04,160 Speaker 1: want to work harder because I know that it expects 323 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:07,680 Speaker 1: me to succeed, and I expect myself to succeed as well. 324 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:10,920 Speaker 1: So you know, I'm just gonna work hard because being 325 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:13,680 Speaker 1: a top prospect in the country, it's a great place 326 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:15,920 Speaker 1: to be at. But you gotta you gotta stay there 327 00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:18,919 Speaker 1: as well throughout high school, so the work is not 328 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 1: going to stop. And you know, but the main thing 329 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:24,400 Speaker 1: is just going out there and having fun because once 330 00:17:24,440 --> 00:17:27,040 Speaker 1: you lose the fun in the games, and there's really 331 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:29,720 Speaker 1: no point in playing because the game is for fun. 332 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:32,440 Speaker 1: So you know, that's uh, that's kind of the mindset 333 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:36,640 Speaker 1: that I have. And um, just staying uh, staying mentally 334 00:17:37,560 --> 00:17:41,520 Speaker 1: well is going to be huge. I don't think athletes 335 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 1: really realize how important your mental health is, and um, 336 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:48,640 Speaker 1: I'm kind of focused on that this offseason, just trying 337 00:17:48,640 --> 00:17:50,919 Speaker 1: to get my mental health to where it needs to 338 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,800 Speaker 1: be and just go out there and play the game 339 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:55,760 Speaker 1: how I play it, because I've played this game for 340 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:57,800 Speaker 1: a long time and it's got me to where where 341 00:17:57,840 --> 00:17:59,919 Speaker 1: I am right now, So why not just keep doing it? 342 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:02,680 Speaker 1: And he fine at the same time, So when you're 343 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:04,520 Speaker 1: when you're standing in the bout, like you're on Team 344 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:07,359 Speaker 1: USA this past summer, like you said, maybe you didn't 345 00:18:07,359 --> 00:18:10,000 Speaker 1: perform your best at times. That's the game's very very 346 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:12,600 Speaker 1: humbling anyway. You know, when you're the best player in 347 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:15,119 Speaker 1: the world, you're going to struggle at times. How do 348 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:20,040 Speaker 1: you use those struggles because I you know, we're all 349 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:24,359 Speaker 1: susceptible to you know, to beat ourselves up, you know, 350 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:27,159 Speaker 1: and that's very normal, especially when we don't have as 351 00:18:27,240 --> 00:18:30,159 Speaker 1: much experience. What are things that you do when you 352 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 1: are maybe going through those struggles, through those failures to 353 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:36,320 Speaker 1: kind of have you learned some positive self talk things 354 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:38,000 Speaker 1: or are there things that you're doing to kind of 355 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:42,240 Speaker 1: help you through those situations. Yeah, So if I'm struggling, 356 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:45,200 Speaker 1: you know, I just got to visit myself having success 357 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:50,119 Speaker 1: and just see myself whether that's getting ahead or throwing 358 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:54,000 Speaker 1: throwing strikes and strugging people out. It doesn't really matter. 359 00:18:54,119 --> 00:18:57,520 Speaker 1: Just seeing yourself having success it helps a lot. And 360 00:18:57,600 --> 00:19:00,879 Speaker 1: also in times of struggle, like a lot of times 361 00:19:00,880 --> 00:19:04,120 Speaker 1: that's because you're playing too tight, you're tinted up, and 362 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:06,879 Speaker 1: just being able to relax and just do what you 363 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:10,480 Speaker 1: do is really important. And there's times will struggle, But 364 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:16,240 Speaker 1: I definitely say the main thing just visualizing yourself having success. Coach, 365 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:19,280 Speaker 1: how do you Here's the funny thing, right, I talk 366 00:19:19,359 --> 00:19:23,919 Speaker 1: about a lot in Reform Sports Project. It's like parents, parents, coaches, coach. 367 00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:27,159 Speaker 1: You know, the kids play. You're the freaking coach and 368 00:19:27,320 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 1: the parent. I mean, you're legitimately a professional. It's what 369 00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 1: you do for a living. How do you deal with 370 00:19:32,359 --> 00:19:35,120 Speaker 1: that with your kids who are also playing a game 371 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:37,520 Speaker 1: that you know obviously you play at one point. You 372 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:40,119 Speaker 1: know it's different your softball, But I mean you're a coach. 373 00:19:40,160 --> 00:19:45,080 Speaker 1: How do you manage that? Well? Connor's very driven and 374 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:49,920 Speaker 1: usually he can kind of tweak things and figure things 375 00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:52,200 Speaker 1: out on his own with a swing and that sort 376 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:54,800 Speaker 1: of thing. He asked a lot of questions. If he 377 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:58,399 Speaker 1: doesn't feel right, I don't mind stepping in and helping. 378 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:01,199 Speaker 1: I'm never gonna tell and something that I do not 379 00:20:01,280 --> 00:20:05,880 Speaker 1: feel like will help him. Um. You know, but as 380 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:09,880 Speaker 1: a parent, I think it's important to give him those 381 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 1: opinions since I am in the game. But also on 382 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:16,760 Speaker 1: the flip side, find people outside of the family dynamic 383 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:20,480 Speaker 1: who we trust. We've got a small circle of people 384 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:23,800 Speaker 1: that we trust, and it's hard for us to let 385 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:27,399 Speaker 1: people in that circle, but we have We have a 386 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:30,919 Speaker 1: guy or two that we trust that will work with 387 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:36,120 Speaker 1: Connor outside of the family dynamic with his swing and 388 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:40,000 Speaker 1: even the mental part of it. UM. The agency that 389 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:42,639 Speaker 1: we've been able to get involved with has been really 390 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:48,360 Speaker 1: good with providing mental health training for him, physical training. Uh, 391 00:20:48,520 --> 00:20:51,640 Speaker 1: They've helped out with a lot of those things that 392 00:20:52,240 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 1: you know, we as parents can say things, but sometimes 393 00:20:55,800 --> 00:20:58,360 Speaker 1: it means more coming from somebody else, So we try 394 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:00,840 Speaker 1: to We try to put him in front of those 395 00:21:00,840 --> 00:21:03,520 Speaker 1: people as much as possible. You know, it's such an 396 00:21:03,560 --> 00:21:05,919 Speaker 1: interesting dynamic because, like I said, you're a coaching Division 397 00:21:05,920 --> 00:21:08,439 Speaker 1: three softball, your son's committed to LSU and you know, 398 00:21:09,359 --> 00:21:12,200 Speaker 1: and everything in between. I guess for people out there 399 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:15,919 Speaker 1: that might not be aware of you know, everyone's d 400 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:17,919 Speaker 1: one or bust and you got to go to the 401 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 1: big time schools and all this stuff, But like, give 402 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:23,840 Speaker 1: us a little bit of perspective on how parents can 403 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,840 Speaker 1: I feel honestly, and I think it's because I played, 404 00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 1: But it's like I always felt like you kind of 405 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:32,639 Speaker 1: know what level you're going to by which schools are 406 00:21:32,720 --> 00:21:34,440 Speaker 1: reaching out to you. You know, at some point it 407 00:21:34,560 --> 00:21:36,320 Speaker 1: kind of like touch you. You want to go play 408 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 1: at North Carolina, but you got shout out my alma motor, 409 00:21:39,560 --> 00:21:41,720 Speaker 1: North Carolina Wesley and reaching out to you, and North 410 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:44,200 Speaker 1: Carolina's not. Well, it's a pretty communication of where you're 411 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:47,520 Speaker 1: which is fine. That never mattered to me. I'm all 412 00:21:47,520 --> 00:21:50,920 Speaker 1: still forty three years old. But what are ways and 413 00:21:51,119 --> 00:21:53,520 Speaker 1: parents and kids can understand because listen, I didn't grow 414 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:55,040 Speaker 1: up wanting to go to North Carolina was that I 415 00:21:55,040 --> 00:21:57,240 Speaker 1: would have wanted to go to North Carolina. But you know, 416 00:21:57,400 --> 00:21:59,440 Speaker 1: there's a great place to go. How do you find 417 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:02,359 Speaker 1: the right thing? Oh? I think you need to never 418 00:22:02,480 --> 00:22:05,520 Speaker 1: limit your options. I've got a team full of players 419 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:08,560 Speaker 1: that even at the Division three level at Belhaven, my 420 00:22:08,640 --> 00:22:10,760 Speaker 1: third baseman was the State of Georgia Player of the 421 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:13,879 Speaker 1: Year for the entire State of Georgia. Her senior year 422 00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:16,840 Speaker 1: of high school. She chose to come to Bellhaven. She 423 00:22:16,880 --> 00:22:19,880 Speaker 1: could have gone to a number of Power five schools, 424 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:21,840 Speaker 1: and she didn't want it to be a job or 425 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:25,000 Speaker 1: a business, and she didn't want softball shoved down her 426 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:27,119 Speaker 1: throat twenty four hours a day. So she wanted to 427 00:22:27,119 --> 00:22:29,480 Speaker 1: come to a place where you can compete and win 428 00:22:29,600 --> 00:22:34,200 Speaker 1: championships but it still be fun. My picture is arguably 429 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:36,840 Speaker 1: one of the top two three pitchers in the entire 430 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:39,040 Speaker 1: country at the Division three levels. She could have gone 431 00:22:39,560 --> 00:22:42,320 Speaker 1: a number of different places. My first baseman in the 432 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:46,760 Speaker 1: same way. So we've got players that just didn't want 433 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:48,200 Speaker 1: it to be a job. And I think a lot 434 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:52,399 Speaker 1: of times kids need to look at these things in 435 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:56,439 Speaker 1: the recruiting process. How dedicated will you be when you 436 00:22:56,480 --> 00:22:58,800 Speaker 1: get to the college level. It's gonna be a grime. 437 00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:01,960 Speaker 1: You're gonna have to train and work hard, and it's 438 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:04,199 Speaker 1: going to be all about that sport pretty much all 439 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:08,800 Speaker 1: day long outside of class. So I think again, the 440 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:11,280 Speaker 1: parents are the ones a lot of times who are 441 00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:15,720 Speaker 1: not realistic in the level that their child can play. 442 00:23:15,960 --> 00:23:18,080 Speaker 1: I think for the most part, the kids pretty much 443 00:23:18,119 --> 00:23:21,840 Speaker 1: understand what level they could play at, but sometimes it's 444 00:23:21,840 --> 00:23:26,360 Speaker 1: the parents that that don't want to, I guess get 445 00:23:26,400 --> 00:23:30,040 Speaker 1: realistic about that. I totally get it and counter you know, 446 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:33,680 Speaker 1: obviously we've you know, you're you're you're getting great. You 447 00:23:33,760 --> 00:23:38,080 Speaker 1: have great parents given you great guidance. Have you seen kids, 448 00:23:38,160 --> 00:23:41,080 Speaker 1: whether they be teammates or kids you've played against, who 449 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:47,040 Speaker 1: have gotten external pressure from parents or whomever and it's 450 00:23:47,119 --> 00:23:48,919 Speaker 1: kind of driven them out of the sport because I 451 00:23:48,960 --> 00:23:52,399 Speaker 1: find a lot You talked about burnout earlier, but I 452 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:55,240 Speaker 1: feel like sometimes having that external pressure, that grill on 453 00:23:55,240 --> 00:23:58,560 Speaker 1: your back, you're almost playing for someone else to please 454 00:23:58,560 --> 00:24:00,760 Speaker 1: someone else. I feel like that never helped. So anybody, 455 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:02,760 Speaker 1: have you come into contact with any kids that have 456 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:06,080 Speaker 1: gotten burnt out from like a parent situation? Oh? Yeah, 457 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:12,119 Speaker 1: I honestly, I'd say base all players that I've played 458 00:24:12,119 --> 00:24:16,679 Speaker 1: with have a parent or it doesn't matter a coach 459 00:24:16,840 --> 00:24:20,199 Speaker 1: or anything like that. They have somebody who's putting pressure 460 00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:24,200 Speaker 1: on them and they're trying to play for them instead 461 00:24:24,240 --> 00:24:27,800 Speaker 1: of playing for the team and trying to do good themselves. 462 00:24:27,840 --> 00:24:30,240 Speaker 1: Like it's a it's a real thing, and it happens 463 00:24:30,320 --> 00:24:33,640 Speaker 1: a lot more than people even notice, and so it's 464 00:24:33,640 --> 00:24:36,720 Speaker 1: a real thing and it's uh it's not good at 465 00:24:36,720 --> 00:24:39,359 Speaker 1: all because once you start playing for somebody else, the 466 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:42,720 Speaker 1: pressure just goes up for no reason at all. Like 467 00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:46,200 Speaker 1: there shouldn't be any pressure to play and make your 468 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:48,560 Speaker 1: parents happy, for a coach happy. You should be playing, 469 00:24:49,320 --> 00:24:51,600 Speaker 1: like I said earlier, just to half fun and play, 470 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:54,240 Speaker 1: play for yourself, play for your team, and just try 471 00:24:54,280 --> 00:24:56,600 Speaker 1: to go out there and win. And if you have 472 00:24:56,640 --> 00:24:59,679 Speaker 1: a bad day, I mean that that happens, you just 473 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:01,440 Speaker 1: gotta come back the next day. You shouldn't have a 474 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:04,240 Speaker 1: you didn't have a bad game and then get in 475 00:25:04,280 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 1: the car with a parent and and didn't tell you 476 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:09,600 Speaker 1: how bad you played. Because as athletes, we know like 477 00:25:09,680 --> 00:25:12,280 Speaker 1: when we have a bad game, and just having a 478 00:25:12,280 --> 00:25:14,879 Speaker 1: support system behind you it can make a world of 479 00:25:14,960 --> 00:25:18,320 Speaker 1: a difference. Connor, I want to finish off here with you. 480 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:20,560 Speaker 1: I want to pepper you with a couple of QUI. 481 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:23,000 Speaker 1: First of all, who's your favorite athlete of all time? 482 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:27,280 Speaker 1: Forget baseball player, just athlete? I'd say Bo Jackson? Me 483 00:25:27,359 --> 00:25:30,320 Speaker 1: and you were injured, spirits, You're how do you even 484 00:25:30,359 --> 00:25:33,680 Speaker 1: know who bo Jackson is? You're you're like sixteen guys 485 00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:35,960 Speaker 1: my goal? How do you know about him? I watched 486 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:39,840 Speaker 1: this documentary on him a few months ago, and I 487 00:25:39,920 --> 00:25:42,480 Speaker 1: just I really like how he carried himself, how he 488 00:25:42,600 --> 00:25:45,720 Speaker 1: played multiple sports. And you can just tell by the 489 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:48,159 Speaker 1: energy he plays with every single time he steps on 490 00:25:48,160 --> 00:25:51,439 Speaker 1: the field, He's going in one hundred percent and he 491 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:55,159 Speaker 1: succeeds at the same time, which is crazy. And you know, 492 00:25:55,240 --> 00:25:57,960 Speaker 1: I just I really liked watching him and its highlights. 493 00:25:58,480 --> 00:26:02,240 Speaker 1: What's your favorite school subject to get behind? What do 494 00:26:02,240 --> 00:26:07,320 Speaker 1: you like studying? I like, I like science. I'm in 495 00:26:07,320 --> 00:26:10,280 Speaker 1: a chemistry class right now, and I'd say that's that's 496 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:13,680 Speaker 1: probably my favorite class. Uh. It just it comes easy 497 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:16,440 Speaker 1: to me. You and I aren't kindred stairs in that regard. 498 00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:18,000 Speaker 1: If you were to ask me when I was sixty 499 00:26:18,320 --> 00:26:20,560 Speaker 1: my favorites, I would say like gem or recess or 500 00:26:20,560 --> 00:26:23,560 Speaker 1: something like that. But what is your favorite food? If 501 00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:25,680 Speaker 1: Connor Griffin's gonna get a meal cooked for him, what's 502 00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:29,359 Speaker 1: he eating? Uh, I'd say at Hamburger steak with some 503 00:26:29,440 --> 00:26:32,399 Speaker 1: ashtatis and gravy. That's that's gonna be my go too. Es. Basically, 504 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:35,119 Speaker 1: when my mom cooks, it's the best. I like it. 505 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:36,920 Speaker 1: So you're trying to crush some meat, You're not You're 506 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:38,760 Speaker 1: not a plant. Not just eating in the plants you're 507 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:41,840 Speaker 1: eat you're eating that meat. Oh yeah, for sure. He's 508 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:43,480 Speaker 1: of advice that you'd give. You know, a lot of 509 00:26:43,560 --> 00:26:45,359 Speaker 1: kids are gonna hang on every word. You're gonna have 510 00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:48,600 Speaker 1: kids your age, You're gonna have college kids that listen 511 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:51,000 Speaker 1: to this. You're gonna have you know, pro scouts, You're 512 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:53,840 Speaker 1: gonna have all different people listening to. What are your 513 00:26:53,880 --> 00:26:56,680 Speaker 1: goals for the next two years and beyond from an 514 00:26:56,680 --> 00:27:01,959 Speaker 1: athletic standpoint, Yeah, uh so my main goals, uh, first, 515 00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:05,200 Speaker 1: win two more state championships for my high school team. 516 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:09,040 Speaker 1: That's the that's the most important goal right now because nothing, 517 00:27:09,160 --> 00:27:11,720 Speaker 1: nothing after high school is guaranteed right now, and to 518 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:14,679 Speaker 1: just playing playing these high school sports. I want to 519 00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:18,480 Speaker 1: win for my school and for my teammates because those 520 00:27:18,520 --> 00:27:21,439 Speaker 1: guys they've been they've been with me for for the 521 00:27:21,440 --> 00:27:25,200 Speaker 1: whole journey, and just winning a championship with him would 522 00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:29,119 Speaker 1: be would be huge. Um. And I want to I 523 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:31,760 Speaker 1: want to just make myself proud. Um. I put a 524 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:34,080 Speaker 1: lot of work in sacrifice into getting to where I'm 525 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:37,399 Speaker 1: at today and just in myself to succeed in the 526 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:41,080 Speaker 1: future is always is always a goal. Um. You know, 527 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:43,439 Speaker 1: there's there's some big events coming up this summer that 528 00:27:43,480 --> 00:27:46,280 Speaker 1: I'm gonna be playing at and just to be invited 529 00:27:46,320 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 1: to those events it's huge. But my goal is to 530 00:27:49,680 --> 00:27:52,200 Speaker 1: succeed at every single one of them because that's the 531 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:56,240 Speaker 1: staffectations I have. And you know, like making Team USA 532 00:27:56,600 --> 00:27:59,800 Speaker 1: at the eighteen U level, that's going to be a 533 00:28:00,080 --> 00:28:03,000 Speaker 1: huge goal this summer. And getting invited to the Perfect 534 00:28:03,040 --> 00:28:06,520 Speaker 1: Game All American Game, that's a huge goal as well. 535 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:10,760 Speaker 1: And you know, just going out there and just playing 536 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:13,040 Speaker 1: a hard out every single game and not taking a 537 00:28:13,119 --> 00:28:16,840 Speaker 1: game off because long long summer ball, you can take 538 00:28:16,880 --> 00:28:19,960 Speaker 1: the game for granted some time, and you know, just 539 00:28:20,080 --> 00:28:22,320 Speaker 1: a big goal is say not I ever do that, 540 00:28:22,520 --> 00:28:25,080 Speaker 1: because it can be taken away from you in just 541 00:28:25,160 --> 00:28:27,639 Speaker 1: a second. So that's a big goal as well. Just 542 00:28:27,680 --> 00:28:30,120 Speaker 1: to go out and have fun and you know, compete, 543 00:28:30,359 --> 00:28:34,280 Speaker 1: compete my tailoff, and just know that with all the 544 00:28:34,280 --> 00:28:36,239 Speaker 1: hard work and sacrifice I put in, it's gonna pay 545 00:28:36,280 --> 00:28:38,120 Speaker 1: off one day. And I know that in the back 546 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:39,800 Speaker 1: of my head. I want to go to your dad 547 00:28:39,840 --> 00:28:42,880 Speaker 1: here in a second, but thirty second, forty five second 548 00:28:42,920 --> 00:28:45,120 Speaker 1: piece of advice that you give to these kids that 549 00:28:45,160 --> 00:28:48,160 Speaker 1: are you know, coming off. You know, they're in youth ball, 550 00:28:48,680 --> 00:28:50,760 Speaker 1: middle school, they're looking up to man, they're looking the 551 00:28:50,840 --> 00:28:53,719 Speaker 1: perfect game. They see Connor Griffin, they see what you're doing, Like, man, 552 00:28:53,760 --> 00:28:55,600 Speaker 1: I want to be that guy. What can they do 553 00:28:55,720 --> 00:28:57,760 Speaker 1: to put themselves in a position? So maybe be sitting 554 00:28:57,800 --> 00:29:00,600 Speaker 1: where you're at window. You know they're there's gonna be 555 00:29:00,640 --> 00:29:04,200 Speaker 1: a lot of people, uh, wondering that question and coming 556 00:29:04,240 --> 00:29:06,160 Speaker 1: from me. What I tell them is just you go, 557 00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:09,080 Speaker 1: You're gonna have to work work your butt off even 558 00:29:09,160 --> 00:29:14,000 Speaker 1: at practice with teams, but also when nobody's watching. That's 559 00:29:14,120 --> 00:29:16,240 Speaker 1: that's going to be the biggest thing as well, because 560 00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:20,280 Speaker 1: it takes a lot of sacrifice, especially in high school, um, 561 00:29:20,480 --> 00:29:23,360 Speaker 1: to skip some some group events and stuff like that 562 00:29:23,560 --> 00:29:26,080 Speaker 1: to go to the baseball field and get your work in, 563 00:29:26,360 --> 00:29:29,360 Speaker 1: get the weight room, and get what you gotta get done. 564 00:29:29,520 --> 00:29:32,120 Speaker 1: So you know, that's that's what they're great to do. 565 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:35,040 Speaker 1: They make their sacrifices and they can have fun later. 566 00:29:35,280 --> 00:29:37,720 Speaker 1: But that's that's probably my biggest advice, to make the 567 00:29:37,760 --> 00:29:41,880 Speaker 1: sacrifice to be great. Great job coach. I always love 568 00:29:41,960 --> 00:29:44,720 Speaker 1: connecting with you guys, and I'm privileged to have been 569 00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:47,280 Speaker 1: able to, you know, be able to watch this journey 570 00:29:47,280 --> 00:29:49,840 Speaker 1: from Afar. But I gotta tell you, I took my 571 00:29:49,920 --> 00:29:53,720 Speaker 1: cap to you know, I look up to the way 572 00:29:53,720 --> 00:29:55,800 Speaker 1: that you conducted, and you conducted and in private but 573 00:29:55,840 --> 00:29:58,360 Speaker 1: also in public enough to where I guess it was 574 00:29:58,360 --> 00:30:01,000 Speaker 1: impossible not to have it in book on social media 575 00:30:01,040 --> 00:30:04,240 Speaker 1: because obviously Connor gets a lot of a lot of attention. 576 00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:06,520 Speaker 1: But Coach, what would be some advice that you give 577 00:30:06,600 --> 00:30:10,200 Speaker 1: to to these parents out there who you know, who 578 00:30:10,200 --> 00:30:12,320 Speaker 1: are going to have their kids go down the recruiting process, 579 00:30:12,320 --> 00:30:14,720 Speaker 1: who may want to speed it up, Like, what would 580 00:30:14,800 --> 00:30:17,240 Speaker 1: be something that you'd say to them to make this 581 00:30:17,680 --> 00:30:21,360 Speaker 1: whole entire process of being a sports parent the most 582 00:30:21,440 --> 00:30:24,240 Speaker 1: enjoyable because exactly what you said, it's about the kids 583 00:30:24,560 --> 00:30:27,959 Speaker 1: and not about us knucklehead parents. Yeah, one thing a 584 00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:31,160 Speaker 1: lot of people need to understand is when your child 585 00:30:31,280 --> 00:30:33,920 Speaker 1: is at the field and they're competing, the number one 586 00:30:33,960 --> 00:30:38,520 Speaker 1: person they're trying to please or impress is the parent 587 00:30:38,840 --> 00:30:41,640 Speaker 1: or the person that took them to the field that day. 588 00:30:41,680 --> 00:30:45,040 Speaker 1: Whether it be a grandparent, a parent, a family friend, 589 00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:48,120 Speaker 1: it doesn't really matter. They're trying to please the people 590 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:52,560 Speaker 1: that got them there. And I would just encourage people 591 00:30:52,600 --> 00:30:56,360 Speaker 1: to understand that and realize that you don't need to 592 00:30:56,360 --> 00:30:58,840 Speaker 1: be critical as soon as they hit the car door 593 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:02,240 Speaker 1: after a sporting event because they're trying to please them 594 00:31:02,360 --> 00:31:05,760 Speaker 1: first and foremost, and just take the whole process slow. 595 00:31:07,360 --> 00:31:09,920 Speaker 1: You know, two years is going to come quickly, that 596 00:31:10,440 --> 00:31:13,880 Speaker 1: Connor is going to be out of our house, and 597 00:31:13,960 --> 00:31:17,120 Speaker 1: that's something that we as parents, you know, we sit 598 00:31:17,200 --> 00:31:20,480 Speaker 1: back and we look at that and don't rust the process. 599 00:31:20,520 --> 00:31:24,000 Speaker 1: I would encourage people to just take it in stride, 600 00:31:24,280 --> 00:31:26,560 Speaker 1: don't make it more than what it is. And if 601 00:31:27,400 --> 00:31:31,400 Speaker 1: if their kids good enough to get recruited, people are 602 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:33,960 Speaker 1: gonna find them. And it doesn't matter what travel team 603 00:31:34,080 --> 00:31:36,080 Speaker 1: you play on, it doesn't matter what high school will 604 00:31:36,120 --> 00:31:38,080 Speaker 1: you go to, or what city you live in. If 605 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:40,800 Speaker 1: you're good enough, they'll find you. And there's no reason 606 00:31:40,840 --> 00:31:43,280 Speaker 1: to rust the process. Just let it happen the way 607 00:31:43,280 --> 00:31:46,600 Speaker 1: it's supposed to happen. I love it. Coach Griffin, head 608 00:31:46,600 --> 00:31:52,560 Speaker 1: coach softball Bellehaven University, Connor Griffin, freaking stud multi sport guy. 609 00:31:52,680 --> 00:31:54,920 Speaker 1: I love it. I can't thank y'all enough for coming. 610 00:31:54,960 --> 00:31:58,080 Speaker 1: I wish nothing but continued success. I appreciate you having 611 00:31:58,080 --> 00:32:01,479 Speaker 1: the meal. Yeah, thank you, Nick, that's Kevin and Connor Griffin, 612 00:32:01,840 --> 00:32:04,680 Speaker 1: head softball coach at Bellhaven University and one of the 613 00:32:04,760 --> 00:32:07,440 Speaker 1: top high school baseball players in the country. Thanks for 614 00:32:07,520 --> 00:32:11,000 Speaker 1: listening to the Reform Sports Project podcast. Dominick Bonacourt and 615 00:32:11,080 --> 00:32:13,520 Speaker 1: our goal is to restore a healthy balance and perspective 616 00:32:13,600 --> 00:32:17,560 Speaker 1: in all areas of sports through education and advocacy. For updates, 617 00:32:17,600 --> 00:32:20,880 Speaker 1: please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or check 618 00:32:20,880 --> 00:32:23,720 Speaker 1: out our website by searching for the Reform Sports Project