TBR Interview with Ric Mchone, Carolina Cardinals

I asked Ric Mchone to do an article about the Cardinals and his views on certain subjects. He was nice enough to consent and I hope you will enjoy this conversation with a pretty darn good coach and heck of a nice guy.

CHEEZE: Ric, give us some background information about yourself and the Carolina Cardinals organization.

COACH McHONE: I have been around softball since 1988. I played competitive slowpitch for 15 years. The Cardinals have been around for over 20 years.

I started coaching gilrls in 1998, taking a Little League All Star team that just finished 2nd in the state to a couple of 12u tournaments. We played as the Diamond Dolls 12u. Moved to 14u the next year as the Carolina Stingers. Later we moved that team to 16u. We joined up with Jimmy Warden and his 16u Carolina Cardinals in 2001, after being hired by Ray Chandler at West Stokes HS to coach his JV team. The newly formed team moved directly to 18u, becoming a 2nd 18u Cardinal team in Ray's organization. I coached with Ray for 2 season at West Stokes. I then went on hiatus from HS ball as my DD played and went on to college. I took over the reigns of my Cardinal team in 2003 when Jimmy Warden decided to step away for awhile.

In 2005, I took on the volunteer position of the NC ASA Junior Olympic Commissioner to try to build up the girls programs here in the state, a position I still hold today. This was to try to help more kids than my own. This has been a great success with the help of some really neat individuals who host our tournaments and work behind the scenes. In 2007/2008, I was asked to restart the fastpitch program at Bishop McGuinness HS. I went 0-16 for the first time in my life, at anything, and had a blast. The girls learned so much in the time we spent together on the field. I was then approached to return to West Stokes HS for the 2009 season, a dream come true, as I didn't think the opportunity to coach in my hometown would ever come my way again. We made the playoffs and state this year and had a wonderful time.

CHEEZE: Your teams always seem to attract the best players and your teams always seem to be at the highest level of play, so just how do you go about recruiting the players for your teams? And secondly, how do you manage to keep your players from the unscrupulous coaches who try to entice them away from your teams?

COACH McHONE: I get most of my players through the highest honor, recommendations. Most of the kids and parents that have come through our program love the experience. They in turn tell others. That word of mouth advertising is the driving force behind who comes our way. I also ask a lot of questions and do a lot of screening. I spend all my vacation time on the ballfield and I'm going to enjoy it. I recruit not only talented players, but outstanding parents as well. That way of doing business, so to speak, attracts really neat kids and parents as well. Once they get to me, they usually stay. I don't have issues with people trying to take the occasional players, because they have such a good experience here. And if they wish to leave for something better, good luck. I'm all about what the kid needs to fulfill their dream. What I do, ain't about me.

CHEEZE: I've noticed that you put on quite a few tournaments here lately. Just how much work is involved in this and what lessons have you learned from the experience?

COACH McHONE: People would be amazed at the time I spend on tournaments. I do two of them. I probably spend in the neighborhood of 100man-hours on each of these tournaments. This in turn makes a, what I hope is, a great experience for most of the teams.

I have learned in my 28 years on my "real job" as a mechanic/service manager at an RV dealership, you can't make everyone happy, but you still have to try.

CHEEZE: Can you list some of the Cardinal players who have gone on to college and in your experience, what percentage of your elite team make it to college.

COACH McHONE: We have an amazing stat. (knock on wood). Every kid through my program, who decided to play at the collegiate level, has done just that. Most have had some sort of financial help in the way of a scholarship, whether academic or athletic, or both.

Here is a list of the kids who went on to play college ball: Kasey McHone, Katie Boyd, Heather Brock, Lauren Harris, Megan Rembielak, Kayla Richardson, Amber Shore, Erika Owens, Monica Barnes, Lydia Swortzel, Heather Pointdexter, Amy Vogel, Tara Ruebel, Jennifer Pardue, Amanda Dodson, Beth Hauser, Arrielle Stout, Kayla Woodbury, Jade Bullins, Brittany Marsh, Lindsey Boening and Jessica Bowen & Megan Chapman (through the Cardinals/Curve merger).

CHEEZE: It has been suggested here that only a slim percentage continue in college for the entire four years. How many of your college players continue for the entire four years (excluding injuries)?

COACH McHONE: I would say that 50% to 60% of my kids play all 4 years. It's a job when you play in college. We try to prepare them but they really don't understand how much work it is till they get there.

CHEEZE: Last question Ric: I know that you are one of the few elite coaches that establish the coach/player relationship that continues through the years. How do you go about this? Just what is a player looking for as far as the relationship from their coach in your opinion?

COACH McHONE: I tell everyone, the greatest thing I personally take from what we do, is the wonderful friendships that are created.

I believe Love conquers all!!

We are taught to "Love they neighbor as thyself". Even if they are a grumpy, old pitcher's dad. LOL This is a way of life that will make all your paths straight.

Me, my wife, my players, and my parents, all spend a tremendous amount of time together on the road. You better learn to like who you hang out with, cause you're stuck with them for 13 to 14 weekends. I would consider myself one of the luckiest individuals alive. I have all these kids and parents who I love, admire, and respect for the effort that they put forth to be great students, and citizens, and that work hard to make their dreams a reality. I believe that we all make our own destiny. You need to make it one you will enjoy, cause the other way ain't so great. I would say that all people, players, parents and coaches look for a place to feel like they are at home with family. That's what we try to accomplish and it seems to work.

CHEEZE: Coach, thanks for some insight into the Cardinals Organization, your style of coaching and your personal views on this game we all love. I wish you much luck in the future and look forward to seeing ya on the ball field soon.

Hey, that reference to grumpy old pitchers dad.....hope that's not directed at me, i'm not that old.......