Eastern Oklahoma Catholic July/August 2010 : Page 21
f e a t u r e s t o r y winning ways S Cascia’s t. Augustine, says Joe Medina, would have been a great football coach. Why? The saint’s relentless demand to “always make progress,” said Cascia Hall’s veteran – and very winning – head football coach. Coach Medina is steeped in Augustinian values. He’s a 1984 Cascia graduate and attended the Augustinian Villanova University for two years. He finished his degree at the University of Tulsa, but took time to help coach at his alma mater. He joined the faculty full-time in 1987 as a science teacher; and he still teaches in addition to his coaching duties. Coach Medina spent nine years at an Augustinian high school in San Diego before he and his wife, Lisa, returned to Tulsa, in large part so their two children would be able to attend Cascia Hall. Jessica graduated this year; Joey will begin middle school this fall. When a boy joins Coach Medina’s football program, the first thing he receives is the Cascia Hall Football Program Mission Statement. He learns that the purpose of the program is “to use an athletic setting to promote the Augustinian core values of Truth, Unity and Charity (Love).” He is informed that the primary goal of the football program is the development of players as student athletes and that “the program will work to win as many games as possible at every level of competition and ultimately the Oklahoma 3A State Championship.” The Commandos have met that goal five times. They have not lost a game since 2006. And on Sept. 3, when they tackle arch-rival Holland Hall in the season opener at home, Cascia could tie the state record for all-time 11-man football winning streaks (Ada holds the record with 42 games.) Then, if the Commandos win against perennial Class 4A power Glenpool the following Commandos can tie state winning streak record in home opener Story by Marilyn Duck, Photography courtesy John La Fortune, Cascia Hall week, they will have the record all to themselves. “What we’re riding here is the result of 11 hard years of building a football program,” Coach Medina said. He and others say the Commandos’ winning ways are the result of talented players who practice “the same thing from sixth grade all through grade 12.” His emphasis is on the basics – tackling, blocking and avoiding turnovers. If the team excels at those skills, big plays and victories will follow. His priorities are defense and special teams and then offense. “The way I look at the football program, it is an extension of the school’s philosophy,” Coach Medina said. The mission statement declares that coaches and players “will conduct themselves in a first-class manner when representing the school at all times.” He concedes that there are times when a player can lose his composure and violate that pledge. “Kids are kids, and it’s a very emotional game.” But the coaches and/or fellow players will immediately help talk down an agitated player. Consistent application of the mission statement “absolutely” has an impact, especially over time. “The kids who will be seniors have had the same values for six years going on seven. The kids truly, truly believe in those values and hold them very close to their hearts.” Coach Medina’s record during his 11 seasons at Cascia is 124-16. He sometimes is asked why he hasn’t moved on to bigger school or to the college level. His answer comes easily: “Cascia is a wonderful place to be.” Jessica, Joe, Joey and Lisa Medina join together to celebrate Cascia’s 2009 state championship.
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