What Does Transformational Coaching Look Like To Athletes?

Luke: 0:12

Welcome back to another episode of the "I Win Podcast. A really exciting episode for me personally because "I have not one, but two. Heisman Trophy semi-finalist. That's The Gagliardi Trophy, division three Player of the Year. We welcome on Joey Stutzman. Evan Lewandowski, two players. "I was very lucky to get to coach and get to know as people their senior year at Lake Zurich High School. So first, welcome on Boys and congratulations. Joey, what's it mean to you to be named a semi-finalist as Division "I three player of the year?

Joey: 0:45

Thanks for having us on. Of course. We very much appreciate it. obviously, you know, at the end of the season, it's not really the goal was never, you know, to have that, it was to win national championship and we didn't. So, you know, "I think. Now it stings, but like looking back on this in the future, "I think it's gonna be an awesome accomplishment. yeah. Now.

Luke: 1:03

"I mean. We're down to those of you who are not aware, we're down to the 15 semifinalist and it's going to a committee vote plus a fan vote, and "I will link in the show notes for you to get online and and vote for either Joey or Evan or maybe both, or whoever you think is deserving of this awesome reward award that is, and. We'll get down to the four finalists by "I. Believe it's Wednesday, December 7th. So with that said, I'm gonna go to you, Evan. Unique question. "I want you to tell our listeners why they should vote for Joey as the vision "I three player of the year, "I.

Evan "Lew": 1:38

Okay, well first thanks for having me on too. Dang. That's a hard question. Um, well off the field. Uh, you get a leader in "I know, a leader in the weight room, leader through any workout that they do, especially when "I was at lacrosse with Joey. Uh, he is just pushing everyone and, uh, does a little things right. picks a detail out every day to get better at and makes sure that, you know, he gets better every day, which pushes everyone else on his team. And, you know, it showed this year and when "I was at lacrosse too,

Luke: 2:06

Joey, let's, let's, let's put this question onto you now. Why should our listeners go on a vote for Evan Lewandowski

Joey: 2:13

well, you shouldn't, you should vote for me. "I. No. "I. "I. Think that's like an easy question. Like if you look at what this trophy means, "I think it means, you know, who do you give to ball the ball to? When someone needs to make a play and based on whitewater success, when Lou had the ball and he was able to like do things with it, they would win. So I think it's an easy question based on like, you know, his play on the field and then obviously what everything means outside of the field. He checks all the boxes. So

Luke: 2:43

I. Wanna go back to you Joey, and talk about playing Division "I three Football. A lot of people do not understand the elite level division. "I three Football really is, and obviously I'm still coaching high school football and I'm still fighting this battle cuz kids just don't understand the level of talent. So talk a little bit about playing Division "I three Football. The experience and how good the talent is and how hard the players work and just what a special opportunity it really is.

Joey: 3:16

Yeah, "I. "I. Mean "I. Really think "I could probably take like 30 minutes to answer this question, but "I, I'll do it quickly. "I think that exactly what you said, like. Even for us in high school, you know, when we thought about D three, you just think it's, uh, D three football, but coming here, the whole mindset about everything changes. So, and the biggest thing that "I learned about it was when we would get transfers, you know, from, let's say D one, D two "I mean every year you get a couple of each transfers, some of 'em don't even play. that's how the competition is. We went my, or last year we played D two Grand Valley and we were beating them going in the fourth quarter. And they're ranked like what third "I think in D two.

Luke: 3:58

Oh yeah, grand Grand Valley is one of the best in the vision. Two year in, year out.

Joey: 4:02

Yeah. So, and then this year we went, went up to Wayne State, who's another good D two team and we beat them. So I really think like the competition. Very close to the same as D two. It's just like, obviously the offense alignment and the two deep and everything's gonna be a little better. But "I mean, if anything, the way "I look in, and "I always tell like, Sam, more this, you know, with him if you want. It's almost harder for us because we have to pay for everything. You know, we don't get any scholarships. You gotta find jobs in the summer because you gotta, like "I said, pay for everything. You're putting in the exact amount of work. And that's what "I kind of like about it, you know, going through the whole five. it's, cause it's a grind, but it's the reward of it, indeed, three I think is something that obviously you just don't get at any other level. So,

Luke: 4:47

Yeah, absolutely. It's that sacrifice that pays dividends to you down the road. So that's great. And you, you referenced Sanborn. You're talking about Jack Sanborn now starting Chicago Bears been linebacker, which we'd be remiss not to bring him up, but we'll talk about him later. This is about you two guys. Lou "I. Wanna go to you now. you know, you were a guy that had a lot of different opportunities coming out of high school. you had the measurables of a quarterback. You're a big dude, you had a strong arm, uh, you had a lot of success in high school and you had opportunities to play at higher levels. You chose to go to to vision "I route and had a, obviously a very successful career. Take us through the recruiting process. Tell us about. The highs and the lows of the recruiting process because that is a question "I get asked all the time, by athletes, by parents, by people are just, fans of college football. Everyone's just fascinated by the recruiting process. Talk a little bit about your experience, the, the good and the bad.

Evan "Lew": 5:47

Yeah. So, uh, at first outta high school, "I was looking for a spot, you know, that "I was comfortable at, and. "I got along with coaches and the players there. So, uh, whether or not you're getting a scholarship or if "I gotta walk on opportunity at a D one school, um, I'm looking at the connection "I have with the coaches and how my experience is gonna be there cuz "I know that "I want to go to school where "I can continue and get better at, you know, my game, but also better as a person every single day. the bad thing about that is, Just choosing a school and hoping that it goes well for yourself. I'm glad that first "I went to lacrosse and "I was comfortable with those coaches and obviously with my teammates there. the reason that "I was transferring was to try and play at a higher school. But, In recruiting, "I was trying to stick to the same, my same process and find a school where "I was comfortable at. So "I ended up even playing in the same conference. but "I was talking to the offense coordinator here, and you know, "I felt comfortable with him. So that's why "I ended up transferring even in conference.

Luke: 6:44

Speaking of transferring and either one of you, feel free to jump in on this one. What are your thoughts of the transfer portal? Because within the coaching world, we all feel like it's out of control. We feel like it maybe teaches young athletes. Hey, I'm not the starter, so I'm gonna leave now. Lou, your, case was completely different. You were the starter and you still chose to leave. But we see a lot of kids transferring because, well, I'm not the starter, so I'm gonna go play over here. So you guys have lived it, Evan, you have personally experienced it. Joel, you've experienced it. You referenced kids coming into your schools as transfer. Do you guys like it? Do you dislike it? Cuz you're a lot closer in age than "I am to the athletes that are utilizing it right now.

Evan "Lew": 7:25

Uh, "I think it gives an opportunity for players to, uh, go to a school and, find an opportunity for themselves if they didn't get one at their, uh, previous school. But you're gonna get those transfers that, you know, even if they transfer at a different school, if it's because they're not getting playing time, they're gonna show that at their next school even. So they're gonna come and transfer and still. You know, not wanna compete and do the same thing. So, you're obviously gonna have two different routes. You're gonna transfer no matter what, but if it's gonna change and you know, try to compete at other school or not.

Joey: 7:55

Yeah, I, don't know. "I think the whole transfer thing, like you said, now it's "I. Think it's getting a little outta hand. Especially at, not at our level, but like at the D one level. It's "I mean. It's interesting me, "I always say like, when we. Get a transfer coming in. Cuz obviously there's, kids who are, oh, they got a safety coming in, they're trying to a D one safety and I've played here for two years. What? there's always a reason, you know, someone's transferring, right? Like, that's what "I would always tell 'em. So "I think it's just "I. Don't know if it's, obviously each kid's situation's different, but it's almost like, look, you got here. "I. "I would look at it as like, yeah. Granted out, you know, for like those D one kids, And at the end of the day, "I think they, especially a lot with our generations, it's a lot of, you know, blaming it on other people. And "I think, especially those kids at the D one level who transferred three to four times, it's almost, you gotta look in the mirror and you know, why, why am "I transferring six times and you know what I'm saying? So

Luke: 8:51

Yeah, that's, that's a, a very honest response. Uh, especially when you said our generation, we tend to blame people because just like when "I was younger, "I mean, my generation got slammed too for things that we did, and the older generation, "I was like, what's the matter with you guys? And "I do think there's. There's some flaws we see with this. And "I think you, you hit it on the head too about people probably panicking. Like, oh my God, we're getting this transfer. Who played at Wisconsin and always coming to Wisconsin, lacrosse and the starting kids like, oh man, what's this mean for me? But you're right, there's a reason they're transferring. Are they willing to come into your school and have the. That you guys have displayed for years. And to be able to go through that same expectation as you've referenced that you had to have at a division "I school, but now you don't get any of that nice swag or the nice financial kickbacks of the meal plan. So yeah, absolutely. That's a, that's a great response. And now "I wanna here from both of you guys on this next question, but "I wanna start with you, Joey. How did football help you grow as a.

Joey: 9:59

Another one where you could talk just hours about, but you know, "I think it's with like the life lessons that come with football. I don't even know where to start. It's just for me, in my life with football, it's almost been like everything, and not only football, "I guess with sports, it's just I've learned everything of how to do schoolwork to how to have my job through football, you know? And even just with life. "I think that if you do your job and you do it to your best ability and you do it be, and like you work harder than the other person, good things will happen to. Just like in football, "I believe, "I think that if you worry about yourself, you do your job and you do it to the best of your ability and you put in the work, good things will happen on the football field on game day. So "I think that it's just taught me in life and to take everything day by day, second by second, and then everything you want will come out in the end. Like I've always said, like kind of when going off, the first question you asked, you know, with. How does it feel to be in this running? For football, it's a team sport. Obviously most things you do will be probably for other people in life. If you put your goals for the team, all those individual goals will be accomplished, if that makes sense. So if you work. If you play every second of the game, every down of the game, every practice for the game, for your team, then you don't have to worry about all those individual goals, cuz those will come in the long run and that's not the most important thing. So it's really just taught me take everything day by day and work hard. And if you work hard, you'll get what you want in the end. So,

Luke: 11:30

Man, Evan, that's, that's a tough one to follow up, man. "I, Joey, love it and "I. Think anyone listened to this now could understand why you were so loved to come outta high school by all of your teammates, because of, of answers just like that. And then you went on to the cross and had that same impact on your teammates there. So yeah, that's, that's gonna be an audiogram that I'm gonna keep for a while, Joey. Phenomenal answer. And now the pressure's on Evan.

Evan "Lew": 11:57

Yeah. Uh, well, like "I said, Joe, uh, you know, doing your, your own job and focusing on yourself. The biggest thing that "I learned so far, and for me, that's, you know, finding out a detail every day, which "I wanna get better at, and, it's kind of just like that here at Whitewater we call it, you know, getting 1% better every day. So picking out a small detail in, on the field. So for me, most of the time it was, uh, my, about my footwork, like, That day. "I wanna get better at my footwork. And, you know, "I transferred over in my life. So like the next day, "I wanna say, Hey, "I wanna be more organized, or, you know, do better in this class, or something like that. So, "I think, um, biggest thing "I learned was picking out a small detail for myself and getting better at that the next day. Because, you know, you can worry about so many different things, but you're not gonna, uh, have that success in the future unless you worry about the present. Right.

Luke: 12:46

Evan not to be outdone "I, love it. And you know that 1% better, coach Ibach, who we all know is a Whitewater grad, and that's what the moniker was when he played at Whitewater. So it's good to hear that that still exists today because. Man, that is so true. It's something "I talk to my own kids. I'm talking about when I'm sitting at the dinner table with my kids, like, man, if every day you could get better, that's a pretty successful day. So that's a great thing to take away from a sport like football. "I mean really we learn in all sports, but especially football, cuz the practice to play ratio is like any other. Right "I mean, you know, you don't, there are, there isn't three to four games in a week like you see in some of the other sports. So you have to just keep showing up to practice and wait all those days in between. So you have to have like that cumulative effect of 1% better. So, uh, awesome answer guys. "I really appreciate you, you sharing your thoughts on how football helped you grew as a person and "I agree. That is, that is a tough one. We could spend a whole episode, just on that, but we are gonna transition to teachers and. and "I started this podcast because "I felt like many teachers and coaches were. Leaving the profession and they were really good at it and they were leaving the profession because they felt like they were wasting their time. They felt like they were underappreciated. They felt like they were undervalued. They felt like they were spinning into wheels in mud, that the parents didn't appreciate the work they were doing cuz they were just worried about playing time and wins. The players didn't appreciate it because, They're young and immature and they're just worrying about playing time and wins and how many times "I get to carry the ball, or how many tackles, "I get to make, wherever it may be. So "I decided to create this platform, make it a positive platform, so hopefully teachers and coaches could listen and say, wait a minute. I'm not wasting my time. And although "I may not hear it daily, "I am having an impact. "I am making someone's life better for the relationship that "I have with them. So with that background said, I'll start with you first, Joey. tell us why coaches and teachers are so important.

Joey: 14:57

Especially growing up, we'll start with like elementary teachers and youth coaches. If you think about it, especially on a teacher side of thing, most of the time during the year, the teacher's with the student more than the parents are. So that right then and there is a big indicator of how much importance this teacher has on your life. And then going up to high school, "I mean the amount. "I couldn't even tell you the amount of lessons I've learned from high school coaches. And teachers throughout my life that "I still just to this day use, they're a part of our lives just as much as our parents are in some aspects. So it's almost everything, you know, like especially, and that's "I think a big thing of why "I wanna get into this profession. It's that what I've learned has been so valuable to me. I want other kids to have that opportunity. And that's just because I've had great coaches, great teachers in the past that I've been lucky enough to be a part of, you know? So to sum up the whole question, "I, just think it's almost everything. They're We're kids who, we think we know everything, but we don't. And it's hard sometimes. "I can especially think about myself for sometimes coaches and especially. Teaching me looking back on it. But yeah, they put up with a lot. They don't get a lot in return, but "I mean it's everything.

Luke: 16:16

Powerful stuff there, Joe. And, definitely appreciate the heartfelt response there. and you're right, you do have to put up with a lot in this profession. You reference the fact that you're gonna be entering the reigns, you're gonna be student teaching in the spring, which will be, uh, definitely a journey for you. And, uh, not always the smoothest road, as I'm sure you have been warn. but yes, you're right. It is very important to stay on that path because "I get asked, why did "I get into teaching? Coaching is exactly what you said, Joey, because of the people. It impacted my life. And I'm like, man, if "I could pay it forward and have just a little bit of an impact, move the needle on someone else's life, to me that's a, that's definitely a life fulfilled. So, awesome response. And, Evan, go to you. What are your thoughts on why coaches and teachers are so important? What would you like to add into.

Evan "Lew": 17:06

I'll say that teachers and coaches, the biggest thing they do is like, understand our goals. no matter if you go into a class or going to a practice and have a bad attitude that day or, you know, be perfect the next day, no matter what that teacher coach is gonna, you know, understand what you wanna achieve, and, uh, they're gonna keep pushing you or bring you up on those bad days. Um, Yeah. Making, uh, the most of the time that they have with us "I think that was the biggest thing. there's so many lessons that "I learned because most of my time, you know, was spent in the classroom or at practices or, you know, training sessions. There's so many coaches in my life, the majority of people that "I know in my life, or are teachers and coaches that, you know, have driven me to be the person "I am.

Luke: 17:51

And with that said, and either one of you could jump in on this one and before "I ask the question, "I wanna specify that I'm not asking for any names. I'm looking more for characteristics. Alright, so a lot of our listeners are teachers and coaches obviously. So "I want to talk about who are the coaches you remember the most. And again, I'm not talking about you naming individual names, I'm talking about. for example, I, remember the coaches that always said hi to me in the hallway? Those are the ones "I remember the most. so who are those coaches that you guys remember the most? What are those characteristics that just really stick with you, that are really important to you?

Evan "Lew": 18:35

I think the coaches that give you tools to succeed, or just things to think about. So when "I, you know, wake up in the morning, hear from Whitewater, "I, learn that 1% rule and "I, think about what "I need to get 1% better at that day, not just on the football field. So, uh, in high school, you know, you taught us. To be uncommon. And when "I woke up in the morning, "I would say, you know, what am "I gonna do today? That's uncommon besides football, you know, not worrying about that at all. Worrying about, you know, my life and how I'm gonna impact others. So "I would say, just having tools to use that drive us through our life.

Joey: 19:11

Yeah, same thing. "I mean, obviously not too much to add. It's just bringing who they are as a person. "I think is the biggest thing. And then those qualities that like make you so like "I think for, well, I'm gonna use you, I'm gonna throw you at an example. That "I. Don't know if you remember this, the first meeting you had, like "I, think it was the first day of summer camp. Do you, you know what I'm talking about?

Luke: 19:35

Well, "I. Remember the first day of summer Camp "I. Remember the meeting though?

Joey: 19:39

You, you don't remember the meeting?

Luke: 19:40

Well, this, now I'm nervous.

Joey: 19:42

no, no. "I "I. "I won't talk about it. "I talk about, but you really gave us a good perspective of, it's more than football. First and foremost and that, I think the biggest thing you did was Not everything revolves around football, but it starts with football and that was a big thing for me. And obviously just all our coaches, "I think they're just very good at discipline, very good on accountability, and especially for young kids growing up "I. Think those two are just huge characteristics that you have to have. It's a discipline and accountability. You know, I'm right now like teaching middle schoolers and "I. I'll go through a day and I'll just find myself saying the same exact stuff that I've had teachers say to me in the past. And coaches say to me in the past and "I, and back then "I was like, oh my God. But now it's, it makes all sense to me and it's for me, it gets me a little upset, like, Why didn't you understand this when it was happening? But now looking back, I was thankful for it. So,

Luke: 20:38

Yeah, it's a frightening moment when that realization hits that you say something, you're like, oh my God, "I just became my teacher, my coach. Or wait till you have kids, and you say something like, holy crap, "I my father. but yeah, there's no doubt. And what you said about football, it's the same thing going forward in life. Like Joey, you're going into profession of. And you're gonna coach and "I know coaching is really important to you. Football's just the platform, right? It's not about how many games that you win, it's about how many life you could impact, how many relationships you can create, like I think you already know this, but "I just wanna reiterate. Like that's the focus. Yeah, you wanna win. And yes, that's really important, but when you really step away from it and you just keep in perspective of these lifelong relationships, like both of you reference, you'll never forget your coaches. Like that's what it's about. And you have to keep the main thing, the main thing, which is the relationships. If you do that, you're gonna have a, a longer. Happier and more successful career, in the long run. So with that said, everybody loves a good story, so I'm gonna give both of you an opportunity to tell us a story about a lifelong impact that coach has had on your life

Evan "Lew": 21:56

well, "I would say like, my senior year of high school, and then "I would say every year of college, Coaches are bringing us together as a team. And uh, obviously, you know, you look at teams and those guys are brothers and you know, they're best friends. But "I believe it starts with the coaches. You know, you can get a group of guys together, but you know, they're not gonna know how to relate or anything like that unless you get a coach that has those organized events or practices and does stuff where, people can talk more about life than just a.

Luke: 22:28

Enjoy. Turn over to you now.

Joey: 22:31

Yeah, "I. Don't know why "I thought about this right away, but, um, it was "I. Think my sophomore year, coach Prophet, who was our coach before you, I was driving and "I think "I was on my phone and "I was like, "I "I. Think "I swerved a little bit. and then he was behind me and "I didn't know he was behind me. So then "I pulled over to drop one of our teammates off and Prophet came up to me and Prophet's a pretty intimidating person. "I was just like a, you know, a little sophomore and he was like staring at me. And then "I, "I don't remember what he said, but it was something about just the little things, Joe, or some, something little. It was a little phrasing just the way he said it, and it was, something about what he said or how he said it changed every day. Like it just made me focus on my whole entire life. Like every single detail, every single little thing "I do. And it's just little things like that, like "I. It's to, to this day, if "I ever go, uh, profit, he's gonna be creeping up behind me and yell at me.

Luke: 23:29

But yet he's right. "I mean those little things. "I. "I tell my players. "I tell my own children. there are no such thing as little things. Like everything matters. If your name is attached to it, it matters. And "I actually try to eliminate the phrase little things because that implies not important. So, Everything is important, and that's ultimately the lesson of what you're describing there, Joey, that sticks with you. So "I, appreciate both of you guys really pubbing up teachers and coaches. It's been some great stories. Now let's go a little bit to the other side and either of you could chime in on this one. Tell us what coaches can do differently to improve and do a better job of making those impacts upon people because. We enter this profession, "I shouldn't say all of us, but most of us, most of us enter the profession because we want to make impacts. We want to impact people's lives. We want to change people for the better. So help us now of how we could improve and be better as coaches and teachers.

Joey: 24:38

I, think you gotta be genuine. To start off "I think that, you know, kids can definitely see right through you if you're not, if you're like pretending to be something that you're not. So it's. "I mean it's just be yourself. And I. I've never had a problem with someone being their self. And then for me it's always the way "I think "I was brought up and the way "I was coached. It's, you know, "I think "I have a different view on it as some kids, but it's like you say, "I do almost. And if you're yourself with it and you stick true to being yourself with it, "I think everything else is a smooth sailing road from there, if that kinda

Luke: 25:12

Yeah, so just to clarify, make sure I'm hearing it correctly. Basically what you're saying is you like coaches, Who walk the walk and just don't talk it. Right. Like they are who they say they are. Right. "I mean that's kind of what you mean. Like don't say one thing but then go behave differently. Correct.

Joey: 25:28

Yeah, a hundred percent. Yeah, exactly.

Luke: 25:31

Lou, what about you help, help improve us as coaches and teachers? What could we do a little bit better?

Evan "Lew": 25:36

Walking the walk is like exactly what I'm looking for in a coach and you know, someone that "I wanna come to like no matter what the question is. And "I think that, uh, shows a lot of, you know, discipline by that coach. because I'm gonna go to him and no matter what he's saying to me on the field or off the field, I'm gonna say, okay, like Joey said, and like I'm saying yes, like that's "I know that's gonna be correct. So I'll say Coach that just is confident and yeah, just he walks a walk.

Luke: 26:03

So now let's go back in time. You guys are on the twilight of your careers. You're moving on to. The professional world now and you have to go get jobs and no more hearing your name announced over the PA system. If you could go back and be a freshman football player, what would you do differently the second time around? We'll start with you, Joey

Joey: 26:25

That it truly goes by fast. "I mean everyone says that, and it you never, it's all right. Yeah, "I know it's gonna go by fast. "I "I mean changing anything. "I don't know if "I would do anything different. "I think that like "I always believe in everything happens for a reason. And "I think that like I'm always gonna, I'm gonna talk about this again, "I. Think "I was brought up by some great people and "I had some great coaches in my life and "I just think. Looking back on it, "I don't know how much "I would change. And "I don't know how much "I would tell myself. It would be the same thing that I've always been told. It's show up every day with a good attitude and work hard, and that's what you're gonna get. And "I honestly think, you know, looking back on it, that's what happened throughout my whole career is grind work hard and it'll pay out in the future. And that, and it did so and "I was happy the way with everything. Why, you know, "I think the bonds and everything that you make. Looking at a specific thing, "I don't know. It just, it goes by fast. And now that it's over, it's crazy to think it's over. It hasn't hit yet, but

Luke: 27:29

Well, hey, you're, definitely blessed and congratulations to be able to look back and not have regrets, because that's one of the toughest parts. With these moments is to look back and say, only if right "I mean that that's just a really tough thing to live with. So you did things the right way that here you are in this transitional part of your life to be able to look back and say, "I have no regrets. Everything happens for a reason. So, outstanding. Lou, let's talk to the younger version of you. What would you do?

Evan "Lew": 28:02

"I would say, just like Joe said, uh, really don't do anything different than I'm about to do. cuz "I know that "I had guys around me like Joey, where we had the same attitude every single day. You know, we're gonna grind and get better and know that, the future is gonna be successful as long as we push ourselves right now. So maybe the only thing that "I would tell myself is worry about stay in the present and worry about that cuz it'll take care of.

Luke: 28:27

And speaking of the present, we brought up Jack Sanborn already, and I'm sure you guys are getting asked about him all the time because you're. Way closer with him than "I Am and "I get asked about him all the time. Suddenly "I have reporters call me from different publications and they're interviewing me and it is just amazing the way he has blown up. And you guys have been with him the whole time, Going back to your very first football experience. So let's just first talk about what it means to you guys to. Turn on a TV and there's your childhood friend playing for the bears.

Joey: 29:11

I. Think it's one of the coolest things, you know, I'll ever see, especially cuz who Jack is as a person. Like, you know, "I three, we all know who Jack is. We all been around him for so long. So to see him have success and we saw him in college too, and just Cal, besides the NFL right now. Just college was awesome to see. But now with what he is doing, it's just. it's awesome. It's so fun to watch. It's fun to brag about for him, you know, cuz you know Jack would never do that. So "I like to do that a lot. But "I think that everything we've been talking about, he's a prime example of it. You know, he works hard, he's a great kid and when you work hard, what happens? You get great results. And that's what happened in his whole college career. Waited freshman year a while, got to start sophomore year. Had a great college career. You know, some things happened with Roan Leav. He got the job and it's, and he is having really good career so far, so it's awesome to watch and I'm sure you love it too. Yeah.

Luke: 30:08

Yeah, it's, it's unbelievable. and I'm not just saying this because I'm talking to you guys. Probably my favorite coaching moment of my life is when you guys, when we were playing, and "I had my, my good friend come out who was terminally ill. If you guys remember, and I'll never forget, "I did the coin toss and "I came back and, I, look, and you guys are taking the field and you had my friend walking with you two guys. And obviously Jackie, the four captains were walking and you, and you made him a part. And, coach book Holder got a picture that sits at my desk at home and sits at my desk at work of you guys taking that field. And the smile on his face is just, it's something I'll never, ever forget. And so, you know, he too has that picture. He has passed as we know, but he too has that picture and his, son keeps it alive and enshrined it. And when you guys gave him the game ball and all. It's encased with that picture and will be part of that family forever. And Jack and you you guys made that happen and it's one of the greatest moments ever. And "I, "I tell people that story about Jack is all these newspapers are calling and talking to me. Because you're right Joey, like that's who he is. what you see on the field is one aspect, but that moment in time tells me everything "I need to know about. Who he was and who you guys are as people, so pretty special.

Joey: 31:41

Exactly, and Luke could probably speak of this too, "I think. Best thing too that kind of shows who Jack is, You would not notice if someone met him, you know, in high school and then met him now and had no clue he is in the nfl. They would, they would know cuz that's just how, how he is. So, yeah, it's awesome.

Luke: 31:58

Yeah, there's no doubt. I was recently interviewed for the Athletic, which is a pretty big publication, and the one word that just kept popping in my head and "I couldn't get away from was Humble. And "I probably said it 35 times in the interview, cuz "I just "I just couldn't get it out of my head. "I. Remember the first time meeting all of you guys when "I was introduced to the whole team in the gym And I knew who you guys were. "I mean. "I did my research just like you guys probably did some research on me, and when he came up and introduced himself to me, you never would've known it was the Jack Sanborn, right? "I mean you just never would've known. And. "I took him and Brian, his younger brother, Brian, that's for our audience who doesn't know who, and "I reference Brian, but uh, "I took them out to lunch up in Madison it was like, "I, don't know, it was maybe a month before the draft he's the same person, man, it's just unbelievable how success has not gone to his head whatsoever. And that is a great lesson. A lot of athletes in all sports. Can take away. So, so Lou, you got that 57 Sandborn jersey like everybody else. Uh, walking around Illinois now

Evan "Lew": 33:11

"I got it right there around Wisconsin. Yeah, "I gotta "I rough it over here.

Luke: 33:15

There you go. Yeah, it's, it's, it's pretty wild. And um, you know, it's, it's really cool to. Follow players success. And you know Joey, you're gonna hopefully get to experience this assuming you're able to beat the odds and stay in our profession and become a teacher and a coach, because the wins are great. The trophies are fleeting, they go away. You forget about 'em, you don't care. But there's nothing more rewarding than watching your players go on and do great things and become the people that you knew they could be. So, It's just been awesome watching the two of you guys and the success you've had throughout college. I'm not surprised at all at the success on the field, and I'm not gonna be surprised at the success off the field because of who you guys are and your work ethic and all of those lessons that you have taken away from the game of football that we have referenced. Thank you for letting me be a small part of your lives and "I really cherish the relationship that we're still able to keep in touch, all of these years. Really appreciate it boys. And for our listeners, "I got some statistics for you guys. All right, so you wanna know who to vote for? Let's start with Mr. Joey s Stutzman. He was named the, the y a offensive Player of the year, which if you're not familiar, arguably the best division "I conference in the entire. Rushing attempts this year, 236 for just under 1200 yards and five touchdowns. He led the conference in rushing attempts and yards. Also, 18 catches for 212 yards of one touchdown this season, and team captain and future head football coach at some level at some point. Moving on to Mr. Elu and Doki over at UW White. By the way, "I should reference when you guys met head to head "I. Believe Lou, they won both times. Right?

Joey: 35:08

Yes, sadly "I mean Lou play the game, his life I'm just gonna put that out there. And that's the only reason why we lost. We lost by three and a last second field goal. And it was cuz Lou probably up a

Luke: 35:20

Well, hey.

Joey: 35:21

one.

Luke: 35:22

that's a, that's a win-win for you. It sucks to lose, but at least it's the guy that you're friends with that, that, goes off on you. But Evan Lewandowski, uh, was 200 for 318 pass attempts, complete rate of 63% through for, over 2300 yards, 18 touchdowns in 11 games, had a pair of rushing touchdowns. I'm assuming those are quarterback sneaks. Lou "I don't know. We'll see.

Evan "Lew": 35:44

A little scrambles.

Luke: 35:46

And he is a human performance major with a minor in sports management. And, both these guys are great candidates to win Division three player of the Year. So again, to our listeners, "I will put the link in our show notes, go online and please give these guys a vote cuz they're both deserving candidates to walk away with the hardware and look forward to, uh, naming the, uh, the four finalists again on Wednesday, December. With that boys, that's a wrap. Thank you so much for coming on the "I win today.

Joey: 36:16

Yeah,

Evan "Lew": 36:16

Thank you. Thanks for having us.

Joey: 36:18

Thanks for everything you're doing. We appreciate it.

Evan "Lew": 36:20

Yeah. Small part of our life, like you said, but you made a huge difference for both of us. We know that.