Larry Peterson

Southwestern freshman Rickey Loftin II of Omaha scores a lay-up against DMACC's Jamal Ambrose during Saturday's conference opener. Loftin finished with four points. (Larry Peterson)

When we sign a contract to coach, even at the middle school level like I’ve done for 27 years, you are teaching more than skills of the sport and strategy in games.

Nebraska-Kearney's Jackson Kinsella is ranked third in the nation at 197 pounds in NCAA Divison II wrestling. (UNK photo)

There’s always a story behind the names on a school record board.

Jay Wolfe of Creston was an NAIA first team All-American for Briar Cliff in 2019 and GPAC Player of the Year. He scored 1,804 career points. (Briar Cliff photo)

Joshua Bunz of Creston turns Saydel's Adrian Vega-Munoz on the way to earning a win by fall in 1:45 at 150 pounds Thursday night. (Larry Peterson)

Creston native Jeff Hundley, Allstate Sugar Bowl chief executive officer, addresses the media during a Jan. 1 press conference about the Sugar Bowl postponement after a terror attack on Bourbon Street early that morning. (Contributed photo)

Casey Bryant congratulates a player after a home run during one of his state tournament appearances. The Creston native has coached two state championships. (Contributed photo)

The Express club finished runner-up in the Western Iowa Elementary Duals last weekend at Truro. The team went 4-1 in the event for kindergarten-sixth grades. (Contributed photo)

One thing I’ve learned from coaching young kids for the past 27 years is how it gives us an opportunity to influence their future, far beyond the X’s and O’s of the sport we’re teaching.