Coach David Hamel
Hometown : Concordia, KS
College : Highland Community College, Kansas State
Events: Sprints, Mid Distance, Long Jump
Hometown : Concordia, KS
College : Highland Community College, Kansas State
Events: Sprints, Mid Distance, Long Jump
"I have always loved to compete in sports and I found the greatest joy was winning as a team. Competing in track and field provided the opportunity to compete individually in events and with others, but ultimately the goal was winning the team title. Everyone had to play their part for the team title to happen. My favorite event was running the open 400m sprint. That race was a race of overcoming doubts and fears. Pushing your body to the limits one lap around and sprinting the entire way. Although, there was nothing more exciting than being on the 4x400 relay team. Knowing that you individually have to run your race, and your other teammates are counting on you makes for some memorable times. It was most exciting when the team title was on the line with the 4x400 relay deciding the title. It was the coach(s) though who made the team championship possible, because they were able to inspire putting in the hard work daily and not just on the day of competition.
Whether you compete in individual sports or team sports, it takes a coach or coaches to help athletes reach their full potential. That consistent daily encouragement and feedback to push beyond what you think is possible. I had a few coaches see potential in me that others did not, and they were able to help me to go beyond what I thought was possible. You have to go out every practice wanting to get better. This principle of getting better everyday and never giving up is what allowed me to experience being a BIG XII Champion in football at Kansas State in 2003. I was fortunate enough to be a punter on the team when we beat Oklahoma. No one, except ourselves believed we could beat undefeated Oklahoma. It took the entire season for all of us to see that we had put in the hard work necessary to win what most thought was impossible.
I spent two years after college coaching athletes ranging from 6 years old to professional athletes. I spent time developing their speed, power, and agility based on sport specific movements. What I learned through that amazing experience is that everyone is at different levels. There is great fulfillment when you see the potential in each athlete and help them realize what is possible. I am truly excited to help young athletes get the same coaching I received through my years of competing. Coaching that teaches life lessons to help them become their very best. Helping my athletes put in the hard work and have fun doing it, because what they learn will prepare them for the rest of their lives."
Whether you compete in individual sports or team sports, it takes a coach or coaches to help athletes reach their full potential. That consistent daily encouragement and feedback to push beyond what you think is possible. I had a few coaches see potential in me that others did not, and they were able to help me to go beyond what I thought was possible. You have to go out every practice wanting to get better. This principle of getting better everyday and never giving up is what allowed me to experience being a BIG XII Champion in football at Kansas State in 2003. I was fortunate enough to be a punter on the team when we beat Oklahoma. No one, except ourselves believed we could beat undefeated Oklahoma. It took the entire season for all of us to see that we had put in the hard work necessary to win what most thought was impossible.
I spent two years after college coaching athletes ranging from 6 years old to professional athletes. I spent time developing their speed, power, and agility based on sport specific movements. What I learned through that amazing experience is that everyone is at different levels. There is great fulfillment when you see the potential in each athlete and help them realize what is possible. I am truly excited to help young athletes get the same coaching I received through my years of competing. Coaching that teaches life lessons to help them become their very best. Helping my athletes put in the hard work and have fun doing it, because what they learn will prepare them for the rest of their lives."
