The Westwood softball team gathered at Lady Rocket Field on Tuesday night to honor their 8th graders. The night also saw the first official use of the new lights for the event. In a spring sport season cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic the Lady Rockets made the best of a bad situation.

While following social distancing guidelines, head coach Amanda Sullivan, assistant coach Josh Campbell and athletic director James Dobson presided over the recognition of each player and their parents. The players were introduced to their walk-up song, which unfortunately had not been used this season. The 8th graders were recognized as well and were given gifts, including a small jar to take with them infield dirt or outfield grass from their position.

But the “bright spot” was the turning on of the new lights at the field. After the Manchester City School Board of Education approved the purchase and installation of the lights, the project was slated to be ready by the beginning of the season. Weather delays pushed back the final construction until late March. By that time, the season had been put on hold.

After the ceremony, Coach Dobson shared with Thunder Radio what he would say to the 8th graders.

Coach Amanda Sullivan was appreciative of all the hard work put in at the field and especially the school board.

Coach Sullivan will be a guest on Saturday’s Coffee Coaches Show to talk about the season. The Coffee Coaches Show is heard at 10 AM each and every Saturday morning from the showroom of Al White Ford/Lincoln. The Coffee Coaches Show is heard exclusively on Thunder Radio.

It is that time of the year when the local prep teams begin to schedule tryouts.  As always, Thunder Radio wants to pass along all the tryout information we have received for the local prep coaches.  Students should be prepared to participate in all the tryout sessions unless otherwise noted.  Tryouts will be carried out following state guidelines due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  Many of the teams will have students to try out

Student/athletes need to remember to bring along with them the signed and completed TSSAA Physical and Parental Consent forms with them when they arrive. That form can be downloaded at:  http://tssaa.org/wp-content/uploads/Forms/med01.pdf .

All homeschool students living in Coffee County who would like to sign up will need to register through the Coffee County Schools Central office. See Keith Cornelius at the Coffee County Schools central office.  Homeschool students living in the city who wish to try out for Westwood teams need to contact Westwood athletic director James Dobson at: jdobson@k12mcs.net

Coffee County Central High School – Athletic Director – Rebecca Koger (kogerr@k12coffee.net)

Coffee County CHS Football
Date – TBD
Time – TBD
Location – CHS Fieldhouse
Note – There is no tryout, contact Coach Greene for workout information Coach – Doug Greene
Contact – greened@k12coffee.net

Coffee County CHS Girl’s Basketball
Date – Tuesday, May 26^th thru Thursday, May 28^th
Time – 8 AM to 11 AM   
Location – CHS Gym Note – Sign up at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoJAZzo-nIcLYZwoA8JbhgcYUj-h-l8jKx7QNftEzrIzvsTA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link  Coach – Joe Pat Cope
Contact –  copej@k12coffee.net

Coffee County CHS Tennis
Date – Tuesday, May 26^th and Thursday, May 28^th
Time – 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Location – Tennis Courts at Coffee County Raider Academy Note – Sign up at: https://forms.gle/pjPdVEVzuheUZXMK7  Coach – Josh Inzer
Contact – inzerj@k12coffee.net

Coffee County CHS Boys’ Basketball
Date – Tuesday, May 26^th thru Thursday, May 28^th
Time – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location – CHS Gym Note – Sign up at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CTD1uX-0kDXU8GqE16K8oSm04HT949FQU57OfKPXQ5A/edit?fbclid=IwAR3328zWFxzcgGZB4eQSPm-hJ1u8uFdZEJwwOic2TAmVq5SErxIXUCatVOI  Coach – Micah Williams
Contact –  williamsm@k12coffee.net

Coffee County CHS volleyball
Date – Tuesday, May 26^th thru Thursday, May 28^th
Time – 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Location – CHS Gym Note – Sign up at: https://forms.gle/hNDcCj9TEjf5ayAc6  Coach – Andrew Taylor
Contact –  taylora@k12coffee.net

Coffee County CHS softball
Date – Tuesday, May 26^th and Thursday, May 28^th
Time – 4:30 to 7:30 PM
Location – Terry Floyd Field at CHS Note – Sign up at: https://forms.gle/h4qwTaRNx5ZYyqzn6  Coach – Brandon McWhorter
Contact –  mcwhorterb@k12coffee.net

Coffee County CHS baseball
Date – Monday, June 1^st and Tuesday, June 2^nd
Time – 10:00 AM to Noon(30^th) and 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM(31^st)
Location – Powers Field at CHS Note – To sign up, email Coach Parker Gunn at gunnp@k12coffee.net Coach – David Martin Contact – martindavid@k12coffee.net

Coffee County CHS Girls’ Soccer
Date – June 15^th and June 16^th
Time – 9:00 to 11:00 AM
Location – Raider Soccer Field behind Raider Academy Note – Rescheduled from June 1^st and 2^nd
Coach – Lee Xixis
Contact – xixisl@k12coffee.net

Coffee County CHS Cross Country
Date – Monday, July 27^th  
Time – 9:00 AM
Location – Track at Carden-Jarrell Field Note – No tryout, show up to first practice
Coach – Nathan Wanuch
Contact – wanuchn@k12coffee.net

Coffee County CHS Swim Date – Friday, September 18^th
Time – 3:30 PM
Location – Manchester Recreation Center Note –
Coach – Becky Behrendorf
Contact – behrendorfb@k12coffee.net

———

Westwood Middle School – Athletic Director – James Dobson (jdobson@k12mcs.net)

Westwood Middle School Volleyball Date – Tuesday, June 2^nd thru Thursday, June 4^th
Time – TBD
Location – Joel Vinson Gym at Westwood Note – email Coach Freeze to sign up for tryout time
Coach – Laura Freeze
Contact –  lfreeze@k12mcs.net

Westwood Middle School Girls’ Soccer  Date – Wednesday, June 3^rd thru Friday, June 5^th
Time – 3:00 to 5:00 PM
Location – Dyer/Bouldin Field at Westwood Note – Locker room will not be available
Coach – Donna Burdine
Contact – dburdine@k12mcs.net

Westwood Middle School Football  Date – Monday, June 1^st  thru Wednesday, June 3^rd
Time – 9:00 to 10:30 AM
Location – Dyer/Bouldin Field at Westwood Note – Locker rooms will not be available
Coach – Chad Dyer
Contact – dyerc2@k12mcs.net

Westwood Middle School Girls’ Basketball  Date – Friday, June 5^th
Time – TBD
Location – Joel Vinson Gym at Westwood Note – Sign up at:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnnwUMTLypr978A4V7lyhR1XyxnI8XPuBIWA0HamNU2VcarQ/viewform?usp=sf_link  Coach – Angela Houck
Contact – srofea@k12mcs.net

Westwood Middle School Boys’ Basketball  Date – Monday, June 8^th   
Time – TBD
Location – Joel Vinson Gym at Westwood Note – Sign up at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWDoa_yjgZRJuxAhMoZhuUTmABM4gCFKHrJdpVvKnq6nhq7w/viewform?usp=sf_link  Coach – Jerry Brown
Contact – brownj@k12mcs.net

———

Coffee County Middle School – Kyle Harris, athletic director Coffee County Middle School tryout information to be released on Monday, May 18^th

Steve Underwood has just about seen it all during his long career in the National Football League.

A self-described problem solver, the respected Titans executive has worked in a number of roles with the franchise, and to hear him tell it, he’s loved every minute of it.

Now Underwood, who’ll turn 69 in October, is ready to step away from his full-time role as President/CEO of the Titans. He’s excited about what’s ahead in his life, and about the man who will step in to replace him.

Burke Nihill, in his fifth season with the team, is being elevated to President/CEO of the Titans. Back in February, Nihill was promoted to Senior Vice President/Business Operations & Chief Legal Officer with the franchise.

“When I am asked what’s the most important thing that I’ll remember from the time I’ve spent in the National Football League, it will be all the great people that I have gotten to work with,” said Underwood, who will remain with the team as a Senior Counselor. “Stepping away from something you love is never easy. But sooner or later, even something this good has to come to an end.

“I think Burke is a great choice for us to make. He’s going to do a fantastic job. I really think he’ll be just perfect.”

Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, whose father “Bud,” first hired Underwood to work for the franchise back in 1991, thanked Underwood for his commitment, loyalty, and professionalism. Underwood initially began working with Mr. Adams back in 1977, when he did legal work for him in Houston. Adams eventually convinced Underwood to join the franchise.

Strunk also expressed great confidence in Nihill, who held the title of Vice President and General Counsel for the team before his promotion earlier this year. Underwood informed Strunk last month he’d be retiring from a full-time role.

“Steve’s remarkable 40-year Oilers/Titans career places him among the titans of professional sports executives. His dedication to our franchise is unmatched and I am glad he will remain with us as a Senior Counselor,” Strunk said of Underwood.

“When Steve informed me that he was ready to step away from a full-time role, it was immediately clear to me that Burke was the best choice for the job. Since starting with the club as the General Counsel, Burke has continued to take on additional responsibilities to the point that he has become an invaluable resource and an absolute superstar for our organization. I have great confidence in him and his leadership, and I know that the future is bright for the team.”

During his time with the Titans, Nihill been involved in many different facets of the organization. As Vice President and General Counsel, Nihill was responsible for the organization’s legal, human resources and government relations functions. Following his promotion earlier this year, he also began overseeing stadium and facility operations.

In addition to his core responsibilities, Nihill has also taken the lead on other strategic projects for the team. He was instrumental in the effort to secure and execute the 2019 Draft in Nashville and is currently overseeing the renovation and expansion of Saint Thomas Sports Park.

Nihill joined the Titans in 2016 with 15 years of professional experience working as an attorney and strategic business counselor with companies ranging from technology startups to Fortune 500 businesses.

“I am exceedingly grateful for and humbled by this opportunity,” Nihill said. “I am inspired by Amy’s vision for our franchise and look forward to collaborating with my talented colleagues to serve our fans, partners, and communities. From the NFL Draft on Broadway to a magical run to the AFC Championship, last year was a special season for Titans fans, but as an organization we believe the best is yet to come.

“I also want to offer my congratulations to Steve Underwood on his retirement. Steve has been an extraordinarily generous mentor and friend to me, and I’m thankful that we will continue to benefit from Steve’s experience and wisdom in his role as Senior Counselor.”

Butch Spyridon, who has served as president and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation (NCVC) since 1991, on Thursday reflected on his dealing with Underwood that date back the mid-1990s, when the idea of the Houston Oilers moving to Nashville first bubble up.

“Steve has always been professional, accessible, and navigated a ton for team,” Spyridon said. “I have the utmost respect for him as a friend, and as a professional colleague.”

Spyridon thinks the Titans were fortunate to have someone as capable as Nihill ready to step in, and he thinks he’ll continue to represent the franchise well.

Spyridon recalled first meeting Nihill before the 2017 NFL Draft, after being told he’d accompany him to Philadelphia for a site visit. At the time, Nashville was interested in making its own bid for the draft.

Two days after they returned, Nihill sent Spyridon a power point on what Philadelphia did, and what Nashville could do with an opportunity that would come two years later. It made a lasting impression on Spyridon.

Since, the two men have worked on almost everything that’s involved the Titans – the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon during the draft weekend in 2019, July 4th Celebrations, the Titans uniform reveal party in 2018, the AFC Championship Game watch party in January, fundraising for NFL Draft, and much more.

“After the first year of working with Burke, without knowing anything, I had told people on numerous occasions that, in my opinion, Burke was the heir apparent to Steve Underwood,” Spyridon said. “With how he represented the team, and how he carried himself, I’ve just always been impressed by him. To me, it seemed like a pretty easy choice for Amy. It probably worked out better or faster than they thought, but I can’t think it was an accident.

“From a financial, from a legal, from a sales standpoint, and from an execution standpoint, I have had the opportunity to interact with Burke and he is equally smart to Steve. But where Steve had more of a cut-and-dry approach, Burke has more of a velvet hammer, but I can tell you he is no pushover. He’s a smart man, and he knows what he’s doing. But he’s nobody’s fool.”

Still, there’s no denying Underwood will be missed.

Underwood’s history with the team dates back four decades, and he steps away from a full-time role at a time when the franchise has climbed back into the national spotlight, fresh off a trip to the AFC Championship Game.

In an interview this week, Underwood thanked and praised everyone around him, from the Adams family to Titans General Manager Jon Robinson to Coach Mike Vrabel to Senior Vice President/CFO Jenneen Kaufman to Senior Vice President/Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer Gil Beverly to Burke, along with many more.

After initially retiring in 2011, Underwood re-joined the franchise on an interim basis in 2015. In 2016, the interim tag was removed, and he became the team’s President and CEO. Over four decades he’s rewarded the Titans with his work, and his work over the years has been rewarding, he said.

“To leave what’s been a lifelong endeavor in good standing, it’s a status few obtain in our business,” Underwood said. “I’ve loved so many things about it, from the people to the variety of the work. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities and the experiences I’ve had. I’m not sure what more I could have asked for.”

Now, Underwood will have an opportunity to spend more time with his wife, Frances, and his family.

And as he stood on his ranch 25 miles south of NRG Stadium in Houston, located a mile off the paved road in Northern Brezoria County, he imagined all the possibilities.

During his first retirement, the Underwoods spent a month in Alaska, they made trips to Scotland and Italy, and they traveled the Mediterranean. He saw things he’d been wanting to see his whole life.

Underwood loves to spend time backpacking, and he’s a big fan of Clearwater Beach in Florida.

The Underwood are very active in the church, and on Wednesday nights in the past, he entertained children at the nursery at Southview Baptist Church. He’s already looking forward to “spoiling” a new batch of kids.

He’s also looking forward to sleeping in more, and relaxing.

Today, Underwood sounds like a guy who will miss many things about the job he’s stepping away from.

He also sounds like a guy who is ready for what’s next.

“There’s lots of places in the world Frances and I would still like to see,” Underwood said. “For me, I think it is just a good time to make the transition. It is a good time for the club, it’s a good time for our owners, and it’s a good time for me and for my family more importantly. And, one of the things that makes stepping back easier, is knowing there is someone like Burke, who will do a great job, and he has great relationships of his own with other leaders.

“Any time you leave something that you love, sure (I’ll miss it). But I think I’ll enjoy the next chapter.”

The Lady Rocket volleyball team has set the tryout dates for their 2020 season. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the tryouts will be held follow the required social distancing restrictions. To sign-up for tryouts, please email coach Laura Freeze at lfreeze@k12mcs.net She wil sending a google form to those that request one. Once the date closes for the form to be submitted, I will send out a time and date for your tryout.
Things to do:

1. Email Mrs. Freeze at lfreeze@k12mcs.net
2. She will send you a google form to complete.
3. She will send you a day and time for your tryout.
4. Show up for your designated day and time.

Tryout dates will be Tuesday, June 2nd thru Thursday, June 4th. The times will be announced in separate small groups. Players should wear gym shorts, tee-shirt, and tennis shoes. Knee pads are not required at this time. The locker room will be closed, please come dressed and ready to go! Final team roster will be posted by 2:30 pm on Thursday, June 4.

Parent Meeting:
There will be a mandatory parent meeting determined closer to tryout dates. It will be done by Google Meet for parents of girls selected for the team. At least one adult representative must be present. We will discuss practices, sponsorships, uniform gear, and booster club.

Major League Baseball owners gave the go-ahead Monday to making a proposal to the players’ union that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July weekend in ballparks without fans, a plan that envisioned expanding the designated hitter to the National League for 2020.

Spring training would start in early to mid-June, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the plan were not announced.

MLB officials are slated to make a presentation to the union on Tuesday. An agreement with the players’ association is needed, and talks are expected to be difficult — especially over a proposal for a revenue split that would be unprecedented for baseball.

Each team would play about 82 regular-season games: against opponents in its own division plus interleague matchups limited to AL East vs. NL East, AL Central vs. NL Central and AL West vs. NL West.

Postseason play would be expanded from 10 clubs to 14 by doubling wild cards in each league to four.

Teams would prefer to play at their regular-season ballparks but would switch to spring training stadiums or neutral sites if medical and government approvals can’t be obtained for games at home. Toronto might have to play home games in Dunedin, Florida.

The All-Star Game, scheduled for Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 14, likely would be called off.

Teams will propose that players receive the percentage of their 2020 salaries based on a 50-50 split of revenues MLB receives during the regular-season and postseason, which likely will be among the most contentious aspects of the proposal during negotiations with the players’ association.

That proposal would take into account fans being able to return to ballparks at some point, perhaps with a small percentage of seats sold at first and then gradually increasing.

Baseball players have refused to consider even the frameworks for the type of revenue splits that have been agreed to by unions in the NFL, NBA and NHL. The last attempt by baseball owners to gain a salary cap with a revenue split led to a 7 1/2-month strike in 1994-95 that wiped out the World Series for the first time in 90 years.

Rosters would be expanded from 26 to around 30. With minor leagues shuttered, there likely will be the addition of about 20 players per club akin to the NFL’s practice squad.

Teams would have the option of holding the resumption of spring training at home or at their facilities in Florida and Arizona. Most teams based in Florida appear to be leaning toward that option, while Arizona-based clubs are inclined to work out at home rather than deal with June heat in the Phoenix area.

Players and teams agreed to a deal on March 26 that called for each player to receive only a portion of salary, determined by what percentage of a 162-game schedule is played. As part of that deal, if no season is played each player would receive 2020 service time matching what the player earned in 2019.

But that deal is contingent there being no restrictions on mass gatherings at the federal, state, city and local level; no relevant travel restrictions in the U.S. and Canada; and Commissioner Rob Manfred after consulting the union and medical expects, determines there is no risk to playing in front of fans at regular-season ballparks.

Players and teams committed to “discuss in good faith the economic feasibility of playing games in the absence of spectators or at appropriate neutral sites.” Manfred has said about 40% of MLB revenue is tied to gate, including concessions, parking, ballpark advertising, luxury suites and programs.

Union officials and players have cited the March 26 agreement as setting economic terms and say they have no inclination for additional cuts. Players are more interested in medical protocols and testing designed to protect them from and detect the new coronavirus. The proposal will detail the plan for dealing with players and staff who test positive.

Because players accrue salaries for the regular season only and not for spring training or the postseason, the union may counter by asking for more regular-season games during negotiations that could significantly alter or possibly even scuttle the restart plan.

The DH was adopted by the American League for the 1973 season but has been resisted by National League owners. The players’ union has favored it because it would create more jobs for high-paying hitters in their 30s, but MLB has looked at it as an economic issue.

Money, however, has disappeared as a DH issue at this stage for 2020 because nearly all veteran players have agreed to contracts. Yasiel Puig is the most notable exception.