Dinerpod 37: Brian Henry-North Putnam Baseball Coach

This episode of Dinerpod features an interview that is as much about life’s unexpected turns as it is about the diamond. Host Red Velvet sits down with North Putnam Cougars Head Baseball Coach Brian Henry to discuss his unique path to the dugout.

From his roots in "the town that time forgot" (Cambridge City) to a surprising stint as a trapeze catcher at an elite Pennsylvania summer camp, Coach Henry shares how he overcame a fear of heights and a rocky start at Ball State to find his true calling in education and athletics.

In This Episode, We Cover:

The "Circus" Background: How learning to fly and catch on a trapeze—and perfecting a legendary Eric Cartman impression—helped a shy kid find his voice and personality.

The Blue-Collar Journey: Coach Henry’s years grinding at FedEx, Cintas, and local glass shops while working his way back to a Master’s degree and a teaching license.

North Putnam Baseball Culture: Why Coach Henry believes in playing the "best nine" regardless of grade level and how his young roster is ready to turn last year's "battle scars" into wins.

The New MAC Conference: A look at the competitive landscape of the Monon Athletic Conference and why the new Tuesday/Wednesday series format is a game-changer for high school baseball.

"North Putnam feels like home... this is where I want to be."

Whether you're a Cougars fan or just someone who appreciates a story of resilience and "full-circle" moments, this conversation proves that the road to success is rarely a straight line.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Wabash Valley Plumbing

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Varsity House Outfitters

Ever Haute Co.

#baseball #baseballcoach #highschoolbaseball #coaching #dinerpodsports

Dinerpod 36: Nick Duggan-Greencastle Assistant Baseball Coach

In this high-energy episode, Red Velvet returns to the studio (this time with working audio!) to sit down with Nick Duggan, the Assistant Baseball Coach for Greencastle Schools. The conversation bridges the gap between local sports rivalries, the technical side of coaching, and some surprising off-field hobbies.

• The "Big Brother" Coach: At 25 years old, Coach Duggan discusses the unique dynamic of being a younger coach. While it poses challenges in maintaining authority, it allows him to build a deep, relatable bond with his players.

• Crossing the Rivalry Line: Despite being a South Putnam alum, Duggan proudly wears the Greencastle purple. He shares funny anecdotes about catching "flack" from former coaches and the community for crossing the crosstown divide.

• The Triple Crown Season: A look back at last year’s historic run where Greencastle achieved the "Triple Crown":

  1. Winning the County Tournament.

  2. Competing at the top of the conference.

  3. Winning the Sectional Championship.

• The Quest for 20: Looking ahead to the new season with seven returning seniors, the goal is to secure Coach Wells’ first 20-win season and navigate a brand-new conference lineup including schools like North Montgomery and Cascade.

• The Putnam County Bucket: A breakdown of the local "Bucket" tradition—a traveling trophy that stays with the winner of every regular-season matchup between county rivals.

Duggan reflects on his time as a manager for Indiana State Baseball, detailing the "grind" behind the scenes—from feeding pitching machines and charging radar guns to printing stat sheets. He emphasizes that his coaching style was heavily influenced by mentors like Coach Hannahs and Coach Vanderglass.

When the cleats come off, Coach Duggan is a self-proclaimed "multi-screen" sports fanatic and gamer:

• Hobbies: Playing MLB The Show and watching Pittsburgh Penguins hockey.

• Wrestling Fandom: A deep dive into WWE history, discussing CM Punk’s return and the legendary "Hell in a Cell" match between Mankind and The Undertaker.

• Game Day Ritual: Unlike many coaches who opt for "lucky meals," Duggan sticks to a strictly functional routine: a protein bar and a sports drink.

Dinerpod 35: Ron Stateler-South Vermillion Wrestling Coach

In this episode, Red Velvet sits down with a pillar of the South Vermillion community, Coach Ron Statler. With over 34 years at the helm of the Wildcats' wrestling program, Coach Statler shares a journey that began with "broken English" in Centenary and evolved into a legendary coaching career.

In this episode, we discuss:

The "Old School" Days: From the grueling task of carrying heavy mats up cafeteria stairs to the hilarious realization that high school wrestling didn't involve throwing chairs or jumping off ropes like "Dick the Bruiser."

A History of Tradition: The story of how South Vermillion kept the "Old Gold and Black" colors and the Wildcat mascot through consolidation, maintaining a bridge to the past.

A Family Affair: How wrestling became a Statler family business, with children and grandchildren now coaching alongside "Papa Ron" to build the next generation of athletes.

The Evolution of the Sport: A look at how wrestling has become safer and more technical, including the rise of the newly sanctioned girls’ wrestling program and the success of standout athletes like Rosie Traviola.

Coaching Beyond the Mat: Why Coach Statler prioritizes fun and fundamentals in youth programs and how his "dividend" as a coach is the lifelong respect and love from former athletes.

Tune in for a heartfelt look at leadership, local history, and the true meaning of the "Wildcat Family."

Thank you sponsors:

Wabash Valley Plumbing

RJs Formalwear

Varsity House Outfitters

Ever Haute Co.

#wrestling #wrestlingseason #wrestlingcoach #highschoolwrestling #dinerpodsports