I’D LIKE TO THANK STEVEN SOZA WHO IS THE HEAD COACH FOR THE WESTERN WYOMING COMMUNITY COLLEGE MUSTANGS IN ROCK SPRINGS, WYOMING IN THE NJCAA IN JUCO BASKETBALL. COACH SOZA SHARED, “COACH SUTTON ONCE TOLD ME, “PLAYERS ARE REPLACEABLE; PEOPLE ARE NOT!”  TO THIS DAY THAT ADVICE HAS STUCK TO ME AND HAS BEEN THE FOCAL POINT OF OUR PROGRAM.  DURING MY TIME AT OKLAHOMA STATE, I SERVED AS A STUDENT MANGER/ASSISTANT, AND COACH TREATED ME AS ONE OF HIS PEOPLE.  HE RAISED OUR EXPECTATIONS ON THE DAILY BASIS WHILE NURTURING US WITH THE GUIDANCE WE NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.  COACHING IS JUST AS MUCH OF LOSING YOURSELF IN THE PROCESS AS WE ASK OUR STUDENT ATHLETES TO LOSE THEMSELVES IN THE PROCESS. SERVANT LEADERSHIP IS MUCH MORE REWARDING THAN ANY PAYCHECK OR TITLE, BECAUSE OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BUILT DURING THE PROCESS WILL ALWAYS COME BACK YEARS DOWN THE ROAD WHEN YOUR ATHLETES SUCCEED IN LIFE!”