Interview with Varsity Baseball Coach Rich Juday

So I had the privilege to interview my dad who is the varisty baseball coach for Dow and I got to learn a lot about him and what he wants from the team that I didn't know before. I had some techinical difficulties with my phone and couldn't record him but I had the questions written out just in case.

C-How has the transition been into becoming a high school baseball coach?

R- It has been a very smooth transition, it has been easier because of my experiences coaching both at the collegiate and professional levels. I have taken what I know from those levels and I have incorporated them into the high school level.

C-How has the atmosphere changed since you have became the coach?

R- In previous years, there has not been a lot of energy in the program and there was little to no pride within the players. Being a DHS alum, I am trying to incoporate the intensity and pride back into the players just like I had and still do.

C-What do you expect for the season?

R- On the players side, I want them to improve throughout the season. We don't expect to win a championship the first season I am coach and because we are a young team, but what is more important for me as a coach is to have my players playing their best at the end of the season and improving every step of the way.

C-What is the atmosphere like in the practices?

R- We have a get down to business attitude but I like to incorporate fun in practice because the game of basbeall is supposed to be fun and so I like to have games throughout practice that has both fun and learning, also some competition games too.

C-Now you are still working at CMU, how have you transitioned into working there full time into splitting time with baseball?

R- I have learned to work smarter on both ends and how to manage my time easier. My work has not diminished at CMU so I have the same work load and same position. I am starting to learn that in order to be an effective coach, I need to give Dow and the baseball team everything and what it deserves.

C-What game(s) are you looking forward to?

R- Midland High is our natural rival to look forward to, and many of the players on both teams have played together in little league and travel ball so it is exciting to play against their friends. This coming weekend, we are hosting the Tom Roberts Invitation, and Tom Roberts was my coach when I was here at Dow so I am looking forward to this tournament because I want to make him proud and win it.

C-What is your expectations as a coach this season?

R- Teaching the younger players how to play baseball correctly and effectively. To be smarter players on and off the field. I am going to do my best with my temperament. I won't get angry when something goes wrong, and I won't be excited when something goes right, but it's still a work in progress.

C-Do you have a goal/phrase that you tell your players during practice and before games?

R- Our mantra is family, we as a team this year needs to treat and support each other like a family. Not one specific player is going to carry this team, and not one specfic player is going to bring the team down. It comes down to the errors and mistakes in losses that bring the team down not individuals. For the program, we want to continue to improve through the years and to help build the family atmoshpere with the parents and the other baseball teams in the program.