Sports Profile: Coach Greg Hawk
Friday, January 9, 2009
Before meeting the head baseball coach, I patiently waited my turn. As I was outside the office I noticed the numerous news articles along the wall, most of which recognize the achievements of LBCC’s baseball program. After five minutes of waiting, I noticed there was no talking in the office. I then poked my head into the office to see if the coach was in there. “Hey there”, said the man behind a desk with scattered papers on it, making it tough to recognize whether the desk was made of wood or metal. Distracted by his montage wall of past baseball teams, chairs with baseball seat covers, and even pictures of former minor leaguers that played under him, I could hardly concentrate on him without my eyes wandering around the collage. Greg Hawk has been coaching the Roadrunners and teaching at LBCC for over 25 years. He has sent numerous players on to universities, the draft, and even the “big show”. Hawk also has been a mentor to many different people through LBCC. Besides coaching, Hawk teaches a variety of classes ranging from P.E. to first aid, and of course the student favorite bowling. On a daily basis Hawk encounters many things from talking to players and students, teaching, coaching, and even the occasional friend who stops by to talk. Sitting in his office it was easy to see how busy he was, answering questions, e-mailing, and grading papers. “Hawk is an amazing influence. He encourages us to work hard and give nothing short of our best, and I think that is what a winning program needs” said Jake Likewise, freshman recruit. Playing ball as a kid when it was hit off a tee, Hawk has been around the game of baseball for a very long time. Some of his earliest memories are of shagging baseballs for his father’s baseball team, or taking batting practice with that team. Hawk planned on coaching after his baseball career ended which was at a Division II school named Northwestern Missouri State. “I have always known I wanted to coach, probably since I started high school”, Hawk said. Sitting and just talking about “the game”, we exchanged our most memorable highlights. A major highlight of Hawk’s was when he saw a team of his achieve more than they thought they could. Having had the opportunity to watch Hawk while coaching fall ball, it was easy to see that his passion is baseball. He was always willing to answer questions or give the encouraging word to those in need of them during my fall ball opportunity. As a former college athlete, his competitiveness has not worn off. Right after league play ends, the recruiting process starts, and Hawk gets as many people as he can, from Alaska to Australia. To make the team, everyone competes against each other, making it more competitive to earn the spot. Students and players know him for either his professionalism, friendliness, or to some his driving to away games. Coach Hawk plans to be around baseball and mentoring a while longer. “I am 55 and I still feel real young.”
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