Positive Coaching Alliance has announced their list of finalists for the 2016-17 Triple Impact Competitor Scholarship Award. “A Triple Impact Competitor is a person who strives to improve themselves, their teammates, and their sport as a whole.” Seniors, Amber P and Charlotte S, have been nominated as 2 of the finalists from the Houston area. With over 3,200 applications sent in, the field has narrowed significantly. This type of national recognition speaks volumes about Amber and Charlotte’s character, excellence in their sports, and commitment to their teammates and coaches. There cannot be two more deserving individuals for this award. The Village School is proud of Amber and Charlotte for representing their school, programs, and family with the highest level of integrity and grace. Keep up the great work!

For a link to see the finalists, click the link below:

http://positivecoach.org/the-pca-blog/2016-triple-impact-competitor-scholarship-finalists/?utm_source=h5m&utm_medium=e&utm_campaign=tic

On Monday, August 22nd, the Village School hosted its first Sports Media Day for their fall sport high school teams. When the athletes walked in the gym, it immediately became a fun atmosphere. Music was playing through the loudspeaker. A slideshow of our athletes was playing on the drop-down projector. Double Daves Pizza catered the event, which the athletes certainly enjoyed. Our Village Vikings posed for group shots, took team photos, and individual head shots. Our Seniors posed for their Senior banner. We also snapped the photo of our Fall Media Guide Cover, which features 2 athletes from each of our Varsity teams! Valor the Viking was there to liven the atmosphere and enjoy the festivities.

Once all of the photos we taken, our very own Head of School, Gabriella Rowe, and Athletic Director, Dustin Embrey, were interviewed by members of our Viking Media team and our Sports Information Director, Nick Petito. Following them were interviews from our three Varsity Head Coaches: Chandace Tryon- Girls Volleyball, Scott Mastro- Cross Country, and Kevon Bagot- Football. Accompanying the Head Coaches were 2 athletes from their teams. The interviews were both fun and informative. Coaches and players both gave insightful responses to the questions that were asked and provided a unique and personal perspective on the culture of their programs. The consistent theme from all of the programs was the emphasis on developing our student-athletes into leaders who will learn the importance of working together, hard work, and sacrifice. All key ingredients that make a person (and team) successful. As our Head of School, Gabriella Rowe, said when asked about the importance of athletics, “It is not the culture of one, but the culture of all.” Village Vikings are modeling a Culture of Champions. Together we will be successful.

More to come on Sports Media Day, including: photos, interview footage, and quotes from our athletes and coaches! Stay Tuned!

Kevon Bagot is entering his second year as Head Coach. When asked about the philosophy of his program, he responded by saying, “To inspire, lift, and change the face of Village Athletics. Increase athletic participation, build men of character, get every player feeling important and unified in purpose. Encourage open and honest communication between staff and players, as well as focus on solutions rather than problems.” As you can see, the values of this program extend well beyond the football field. Football is the tool that is used to teach our young players values such as honesty, determination, loyalty, and excellence. Excellence is a word that is commonly used in Coach KB’s program. Coach KB defines EXCELLENCE is a variety of ways:

Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way
Excellence allows the ordinary person to reach extraordinary results
Excellence is striving to reach your full potential
Excellence is striving for success
Excellence is the habit of being the best you can be

When Coach KB was asked about his goals for the season, he said, “To commit to core values, build a brand, win 8 games, make the TAPPS Independent State Playoff, and make sure everyone understands their role in building success.” With outstanding leadership from his captains, Patrick S, Keagan T, Max P, and Jon S, the team will certainly stay focused and have excellent players to model a high level of focus and consistency that produces high results.

Coach KB was excited about this year’s team. They have been working hard the entire off-season and pre-season.. “Despite the weather, we are still able to accomplish a lot. Our focus has been on leadership the first two weeks, making sure student-athletes feel the importance of not only the coaches, but the captains as well.”

“It’s a great time to be a Village Viking! So far the football program is on the right path. I am truly comfortable with where the program is in relationship to the start of last season. Our first scrimmage, although pointed out a few flaws, showed how far we’ve come. We have added a new look this year with uniforms and players, the student-athletes will have something to fight for with newly set TAPPS Independent Playoffs. I am looking forward to the season, it is my hope to build camaraderie around the team and teach the kids my philosophy on leadership. We have a big task at hand and a few obstacles in our way however we are prepared and understand the quality of hard work. "

The Village Vikings start their season on Thursday, August 25th, at HBU Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4:30PM. Come support your Varsity football team and GO VIKINGS!

Please see the attached information flyer from King Daddy Sports regarding our Village Tennis Center!

Head Coach, Scott Mastro, is in year 2 as the Head Coach of the Cross Country program. After a successful first season, the team has grown in size with over 40 runners on the high school team. The philosophy is no different. “Our philosophy is to develop a student-athlete’s aerobic power over the course of their high school career. We do this by emphasizing discipline, effort, skill, teamwork, and self-control. There are no magic workouts. The magic is in consistency. We believe if we create a family environment and provide a structured, progressive, goal-oriented plan, athletes will form strong bonds with each other, and want to come to practice everyday.And the team that practices everyday, works hard with great focus, and has fun along the way, is difficult to beat in competition.”

The Vikings had a successful year in TAPPS 4A last year, producing a State Champion on the girls side, Charlotte S. The Vikings are now jumping up to TAPPS 6A and competing against some of the best competition the state has to offer. When asked about his expectations for the season, Coach Mastro said, “My expectations are for both Girls and Boys Varsity to begin the season in the top half of our district, and finish in the top two.”

The team is returning some key pieces from last year’s team. “The Viking Boys’ harrier squad returns two from last years state meet team, but has almost doubled in size. Many of these new athletes are freshman and taking training very seriously. Between these freshman and our returning veterans, there will be intense competition for the Boys number 4-7 spots. I expect great things from this group this year. Our girls team returns four runners from last year’s state meet team. While injuries have been a problem for three of them, two appear healthy and are beginning to train hard again. And with the addition of a couple of talented freshman, the team looks to be competitive in its new large school division, TAPPS 6A.”

More to come from Coach Mastro and the growing high school cross country team. The team’s first meet is on Saturday, September 3rd. Good luck and GO VIKINGS!