Baseball April 14, 2020

Inside CONQ Nation with Phil Stephenson

"Inside CONQ Nation" is a new feature on GoConqs.com for you, the fans, to get to know your favorite personalities within the Dodge City Community College Athletic Department.

Entering his 15th season as the Head Baseball Coach, Phil Stephenson

IF YOU WEREN'T A Coach, YOU WOULD BE: I would be in Radio Broadcasting. I did sports radio in Wichita off and on for 15 years before coming to DC3 and I will be entering my 6th season doing color commentary for DODGE CITY RED DEMON Football and my 8th season doing the PA for DC3 Football.
COACHING/TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: I am not an overly excitable coach, I try to stay positive with the players and I don't yell much. I think you reach people better by explaining what they are doing wrong and showing them how to fix it. However, I do have my occasional Bob Knight moment though.
MUST-HAVE QUALITY OF YOUR ATHLETES/STUDENTS: A Belief in yourself, a positive attitude and trust in your teammates and your coaches.
MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF BEING A COACH: Watching student/athletes grow and mature both on and off the field and seeing the successes they have once they leave DC3.
SOMETHING YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT: My Super Sized Drink Cup that I always have in the dugout.
IDEAL WAY TO SPEND A WEEKEND IN THE OFFSEASON: Either a weekend playing golf or watching OKLAHOMA SOONER FOOTBALL ON THE TELEVISION WITH MY FAMILY!
WHAT WOULD YOUR LAST MEAL BE: BIG JUICY PRIME RIB WITH TWICE BAKED POTATO, GARLIC BREAD, BROCCOLI WITH CHEESE SAUCE AND CHEESECAKE!!!
BIGGEST FEAR: I HATE SNAKES!
BIGGEST PET PEEVE: Being late for an event.
WHAT WOULD YOU SING AT KARAOKE?: It would be a Medley: "GOOD TO BE ME" by Uncle Kracker with Kid Rock! "CHICKEN FRIED" by Zac Brown Band, "WAGON WHEEL" by Darius Rucker, " IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE" By Alan Jackson with Jimmy Buffet, and a go crazy jump up and down by all on stage to "ZOMBIE NATION" by AVICII. (not sure what I mean by the last one, google zombie nation gonzaga basketball to see what I am talking about)
FAVORITE PROFESSIONAL TEAM: As a kid it was the Cincinnati Reds, huge fan of Johnny Bench (Oklahoma native like me) and Pete Rose and the BIG RED MACHINE, As an adult, it would have to be the Chicago Cubs since that is the team I first played for in the Major Leagues. But anyone who knows me knows I live and die with OKLAHOMA SOONER FOOTBALL AND WICHITA STATE BASEBALL.
FAVORITE MOVIE: I cant pick one: Major League because it came out the same year I made the Chicago Cubs big league roster, Bull Durham because it has so many truths that happen in the minor leagues, and the Natural just because. Also, I have to put in Christmas Vacation as we watch it as a family on Christmas Eve and it was the movie that my wife Kim and I saw on our first date.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: MARRIED WITH CHILDREN, TWO AND A HALF MEN AND OF COURSE ESPN SPORTSCENTER!
FAVORITE CHARITY: Events involving children with special needs as my son Bret has Autism and is also our biggest fan here at DC3. I help with Special Olympics when time permits and I also ran a Charity WiffleBall Tournament in Wichita for 4 years that benefitted "The Erin is Hope Foundation", a clinic that works with special needs children who need a variety of different therapies.

Come back periodically through the end of the semester to learn more about Conquistador Athletics!