Chase Stewart
Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Wesson, Mississippi
Hometown: Laurel, Mississippi
Education: Jones College, University of Southern Mississippi
Twitter: @chasestewart26
Email: chase.stewart [at] colin.edu
The moment you first realized that you might like to make coaching part of your
career.
I had always thought I would coach, and I battled it back and forth as I
finished high school and began playing college ball. I remember sitting in
Coach Oz’s (Ostrander) office at Jones College and us talking about what I
wanted to do. I mentioned coaching, and he responded saying he saw me
being a coach. He mentioned that he thought I had the qualities to coach,
and he knew I had the passion for it. After that conversation I began to
seriously consider it. I feel like I owe a lot to Coach Oz. He is my mentor, the
one I call when I need advice or just to ask me direct questions in order to
hear myself say the answers. There is much appreciation for his leadership
and guidance.
Outside of mentors, talk about one or more ways you’ve learned some aspect of
coaching.
I think one of the ways that really sticks out was a Zoom group I was a part of
during the pandemic. There were a couple of coaches from around the state
that invited several other coaches to join in on Zoom to just talk baseball. The
group ended up being around 12-14 coaches, several high school, a couple
JUCO guys, and some travel ball guys mixed in, even a couple from out of
state. Several were head coaches, some assistants. It was obviously a solid
variety. We met once a week for a couple months and usually stayed on for
several hours. There was a solid bond and respect gained for many of us.
Because of this group, several of the coaches were able to come together
and finally organized the Mississippi Baseball Coaches Association
(MSBCA). Within the first few months those guys were able to establish the
first clinic that had a great turnout. Looking back it was a blessing to be within
that group. The amount of information, strategies, and stories that were
shared was unbelievable.
Tony Wolfe talks about Goals vs. Purpose. Kevin Wilson calls it your “Why”. What is
your purpose or “why” for coaching?
My purpose for coaching is to provide my guys with the opportunity to reach
whatever goals they want to reach. I am truly in love with the pursuit to help
guys grow and reach their potential. A lot of the players I have been able to
influence have wanted to play college baseball, so I have tried to learn and
grow where I could to be sure they learn and grow to be able to reach that
level. Even more of the players I have been able to influence have wanted to
do other things in their lives, and I have tried to lead and guide them through
whatever path they are on. There is nothing more rewarding to me than
seeing my players- former and current- reach their goals and express those
emotions when it happens.
Name one new thing you want to accomplish this year.
Being at a new level, jumping from the high school level to JUCO, I want to
be able to accomplish a solid foundational understanding of the recruiting
process. It continuously changes, but I have already found a drive and
competitive spirit about the recruiting process.
Best career or work advice you ever received?
“It’s not about you.” Period. No explanation needed.
Your dream lunch date. One coach. Any sport. Any level. Living or dead. Who is it?
Coach K. I was headed to Virginia Beach in 2018 to coach in a summer
collegiate league. From Mississippi to Virginia I had to pass through Durham.
I decided to stop in and see the campus since I had never been. When I
arrived, I saw now head coach, Coach Scheyer walk through the front doors
of Cameron Indoor. I decided to follow. I entered the lobby, went through the
next two sets of doors and ended up being in the middle of Cameron Indoor.
There was a summer league camp going on, and at the end of the game,
after sitting in the stands, I decided to join the line to try and get Coach K’s
autograph. I made it to him, and he asked if I was a part of the camp (I was
wearing a baseball hat, shirt and team shorts). I answered honestly, and he
said “Unfortunately, I can’t sign anything and you have to leave.” He shook
my hand and off I went. I would love to finish that conversation!
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