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Coach: Bret GrammerstorfSchool: Mountain VistaSport: softball
How many years have you devoted your life to coaching? What got you into coaching initially?
This is my 16th year of coaching softball, seventh at Mountain Vista. I was the basketball coach at a school in Jefferson County and the softball coach asked if I wanted to help. I was the junior varsity coach my first year, and I was hooked right away.
What is your history with softball, as a player or otherwise? What’s most exciting about it to you?
I played basketball in high school and for a couple of years in college. While I was in college, I decided I wanted to continue to be involved in high school athletics, and I figured the best way to do that was to become a teacher. The preparation for games is the most exciting part for me, which means practice. This is where we really get to work on our skills, but we [the team] have fun and get to know one another.
Can you describe a moment or two when you found coaching to be truly rewarding?
The most rewarding moment for me is when our former players come back and spend time with us. We get a number of players who come back in the summer and visit. Plus, they come out and watch the rivalry games. That to me means they had a rewarding experience and want to continue to be a part after they graduate.
As a coach, what is your No. 1 goal every time you walk into a new season? What is usually the first thing you take care of walking into the season?
When we begin our season, what we want from our players is to be prepared for every situation that season lone plans. It make my life easier when we are in the middle of the season, but about everything is done and ready to go.
We all know being a head coach requires a lot of time and devotion. How much does family and friend support come into play when trying to guide a successful preps sports program?
It is difficult to balance coaching and having a family. My wife and I both end up making sacrifices all year round. I try and involve my children as best I can. They are both experts on dragging the field. You develop friends within the game and talking with them about situations, concerns and issues is a great help.
What is most rewarding about working with high school athletes specifically?
I think the most rewarding thing about working with high school athletes is the amount of growth that you see from their freshman year to their senior year. I think about players we have had in the past and how much they have changed and matured both on and off the field. It is really neat to see those changes.
Your team just won the state championship, given your choice, where would you want to celebrate?
After we won both state championships at Lakewood, my wife and some friends went to Red and Jerry’s. I don’t know why, but now I would like the coaches and their families to be at my house.
What do you do for entertainment that doesn’t relate to softball?
I still try and play “old man” baseball. Any time we can travel is always nice. Golf is always a good distraction. Winter or summer activities in the mountains of Colorado are great entertainment.
How many years have you devoted your life to coaching? What got you into coaching initially?
This is my 16th year of coaching softball, seventh at Mountain Vista. I was the basketball coach at a school in Jefferson County and the softball coach asked if I wanted to help. I was the junior varsity coach my first year, and I was hooked right away.
What is your history with softball, as a player or otherwise? What’s most exciting about it to you?
I played basketball in high school and for a couple of years in college. While I was in college, I decided I wanted to continue to be involved in high school athletics, and I figured the best way to do that was to become a teacher. The preparation for games is the most exciting part for me, which means practice. This is where we really get to work on our skills, but we [the team] have fun and get to know one another.
Can you describe a moment or two when you found coaching to be truly rewarding?
The most rewarding moment for me is when our former players come back and spend time with us. We get a number of players who come back in the summer and visit. Plus, they come out and watch the rivalry games. That to me means they had a rewarding experience and want to continue to be a part after they graduate.
As a coach, what is your No. 1 goal every time you walk into a new season? What is usually the first thing you take care of walking into the season?
When we begin our season, what we want from our players is to be prepared for every situation that season lone plans. It make my life easier when we are in the middle of the season, but about everything is done and ready to go.
We all know being a head coach requires a lot of time and devotion. How much does family and friend support come into play when trying to guide a successful preps sports program?
It is difficult to balance coaching and having a family. My wife and I both end up making sacrifices all year round. I try and involve my children as best I can. They are both experts on dragging the field. You develop friends within the game and talking with them about situations, concerns and issues is a great help.
What is most rewarding about working with high school athletes specifically?
I think the most rewarding thing about working with high school athletes is the amount of growth that you see from their freshman year to their senior year. I think about players we have had in the past and how much they have changed and matured both on and off the field. It is really neat to see those changes.
Your team just won the state championship, given your choice, where would you want to celebrate?
After we won both state championships at Lakewood, my wife and some friends went to Red and Jerry’s. I don’t know why, but now I would like the coaches and their families to be at my house.
What do you do for entertainment that doesn’t relate to softball?
I still try and play “old man” baseball. Any time we can travel is always nice. Golf is always a good distraction. Winter or summer activities in the mountains of Colorado are great entertainment.
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