Post by CEZAR on Jan 27, 2014 9:19:19 GMT -6
I reached out to Julie Fonda Varsity Softball Coach of Glenbard South High School in IL who also happens to be the 2012 & 2013 High School 3A Softball Champions ,I asked if she would answer a few questions for us and kinda give us her Story and how she does things. Here she is in her own words. Thanks a tons Julie, Good Luck this season.
1.ILSOFTBALL.COM- Tell us about your background, grew up, school, etc. programs your story!
Julie Fonda- My background with softball actually begins with Baseball. I started playing baseball at a young age because softball was not offered in my area. I fell in love with the game and played baseball until I could not anymore. I was 14 when my Dad finally made my switch over to softball the summer before my freshman year. Once I switched it took me some time to adjust. Defensively I was fine, but the hitting aspect was a little dificult for me... So my coach decided to make me into a bunter slapper. I was already a natural lefty so it was an easy transition for me. I watched a video by Mike Candrea (Arizona Coach) and taught myself in my garage. From there I played 4 years of Varsity softball at Glenbard South where I earned all conference all 4 years and all state my senior year. My favorite part of the game is baserunning. I love the challenge of moving players around the bases without putting the ball into play. When I was a senior I set the state stolen base record with 208 steals in 4 season's of play. I then went on to play college softball at Eastern Illinois University. Once I graduated from College I knew I wanted to coach this awesome game that gave me so much! I luckily got a job right away teaching and coaching at the high school I attended and have been there ever since
2.ILSOFTBALL.COM- What made you decide to go into coaching? What is your coaching philosophy? How important is winning?
Julie Fonda-I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a teacher and a coach. I love sports - I played three sports in high school and I was lucky to have great mentors and people around me that helped me accomplish my goals. I knew I wanted to teach and coach at the high school level so I could give back to this amazing sport that taught me so many life lessons and gave me drive and determination to accomplish my goals. My Coaching philosophy is simple, Give Everything All The Time and great things will happen! I also go by the motto never be satisfied. I lead my teams by example, showing them what it takes to succeed in school, sports and beyond. I really want my athletes to learn how to do things all out no matter what it is. WInning of course is fun, but it is not what it is all about! It is more important to me to teach my girls the game, and how to make decisions on their own. I do not feel like I need to insert myself into the game if I have done my job in practice. Winning is the result of giving 100% all the time and never being satisfied.
3.ILSOFTBALL.COM- What type of student-athlete is most difficult for you to work with? How do you overcome this?
Julie Fonda-The most difficult athlete I have come across is the one that is not open to seeing things a different way... Often times athletes feel that the way their summer teams do it is the only way. It is my job to show them that their are always multiple ways to accomplish the same thing, and my team will do it the best way for them, and to be honest that way may not be the same from year to year depending on personell. To be honest I have been very lucky to have student athletes that trust me to do what is best for them and the program, so I have not had to overcome this. I have had athletes challenge me, but I welcome their insight, and I try to make it an open discussion - at this point in a Varsity softball players life they have played enough games to have an opinion and often a very good one, I want to talk through all of the posibilities and give them a voice. But in the end they have to understand that I am the coach and I will make the final decision for the team.
4.ILSOFTBALL.COM- what do you believe makes a great softball program, what criteria would you use to determine whether or not you have a good program?
Julie Fonda- Great softball programs are measured by the honest capabilities of the players and working on improving the group. I have been blessed with Awesome players, however I do know that my luck will run out sooner or later and I will not always have the talent that I have had in the past. I believe in those years is when a coach is at their best! Teaching the game and getting your kids to play WAY BEYOND their capabilities. Showing them how to play as a team and work together to accomplish common goals!
5.ILSOFTBALL.COM- How important is planning to good coaching?
Julie Fonda-Planning is one of the most important aspects of coaching. If you can not plan good practices that accomplish a lot in a short amount of time and often times inside in a gym or small area, then you will not find much improvement in your players or much success in your program. Running a program is not an easy thing to do in this day and age when coaches are asked to be teachers, role models, parents, and take on many other roles within their school. For instance I am a teacher, department chair, assistant athletic director and head coach of both basketball and softball. If I do not plan well, I am not good at ANY of those roles!
6.ILSOFTBALL.COM- who is your role model?
Julie Fonda-I have a few people in my life that have served as great role models for me in the many aspects of my life. As a young athlete my dad was always there to play catch, shoot hoops and do a variety of other sport activities with me. He showed me what work ethic was both on the field/court and in life. When I went to high school, my high school coach Mr. Bill Voves became a major role model to me. He showed me how to never give up and to never be satisfied which to this day I live by.
7.ILSOFTBALL.COM- A parent complains about something that has happened in your program/playing time etc. How would you handle that? How do you deal with an upset parent?
Julie Fonda-I really try to communicate up-front with parents and their athletes so they know what the expectations are within my program. When a parent gets upset about their daughters playing time, or some decision I have made, I feel it is important to communicate through a conversation. I am not a fan of hiding behind email, but when that is not possible I feel that regardless of the situation communication upfront can solve a lot of frustartion and anger when people know what they can expect from me
8.ILSOFTBALL.COM- What motivation techniques work best for you? What do you do with the athlete who is not motivated to achieve?
Julie Fonda-Motivation to succeed is a tough nut to crack, most athlete have the inside of them, so coming across the athlete who is not motivated to achieve is rare at the varsity level. When I am dealing with an unmotivated athlete I try to show them how much I care and their teammates care about their success and how their success helps our team to succeed! Motivation is very depended upon the group of girls that I have. Often times winning is motivation enough, however there are times when helping the girls find their own motivation will go really far. I try to teach the girls how to motivate themselves especially since I will not always be their coach!
9.ILSOFTBALL.COM- How do you promote your program to get student-athletes involved in softball?
Julie Fonda- Make it fun!!! I feel that high school sports have been taken to a different level and the pressure to win is way to high - many student athletes are specializing in one sport which makes it difficult for teams to field multiple levels. So I really try to make it a fun learning experience.
10.ILSOFTBALL.COM- Explain what you envision the off-season portion of your program will entail?
Julie Fonda- The offseason of my program is really simple. I ask my girls to play other sports. I want them to experience other sports and if they are not into other sports then it is up to them to work on their game. I am a basketball coach as well, so I do not mandate my players to come in and do anything in the off season! I feel they need a break and also think they can get more out of playing other sports and being coached by other coaches...
11.ILSOFTBALL.COM- Some people say that a coach should be special, a role model that should be just as concerned about his/her behavior Others would say that the coach’s life should be his/her own after hours. what they do on their own time is their own business. What do you think?
Julie Fonda-I feel that a coach should be free to do what they want on their own time, however coaches must understand that they are held to a higher standard and that they can hurt their own reputation by acting inappropriately.
12. ILSOFTBALL.COM- What is your philosophy regarding varsity vs. JV?
Julie Fonda- Varsity should be comprised of the best players within the program. JV is a fundamental development level where athletes are given opportunity to improve their skills and prepare to contribute to the Varsity.
13.ILSOFTBALL.COM- What are your thoughts vs PGF,ASA,USSSA NSA?
Julie Fonda-I think all of these organizations are wonderful! They have given girls the chance to play softball at a number of levels.
14.ILSOFTBALL.COM- what role did your parents play in you coaching softball?
Julie Fonda- My parents gave me the opportunity to fall in love with sports in general! They have always been super supportive and to this day my dad still keeps my book at my games for me and my mom is my and my teams biggest fan!!
15.ILSOFTBALL.COM- what do you think about women coaches in IL? who are some of your favs?
Julie Fonda- Women coaches in Illinois have come a long way... I remember when I was the only female in my conference and now there are multiple. I respect all of the coaches I coach against. I have not come across a coach that coaches for the money, it is a huge time commitment and I feel that there are a LOT of great coaches in Illinois. Tinley Park's Wendy Podbielniak, Jen Tyrrell and April Shermann are all coaches that I respect tremendously and work hard at their jobs!
16.ILSOFTBALL.COM- How do you see PGF growing on the futures and national level?
Julie Fonda- I would love to see fastpitch return to the Olympics! I feel that our sport is only going to get bigger over time! It is in a great place right now and popularity is only getting bigger!
17.ILSOFTBALL.COM- what other teams in IL and the Midwest highschool or travel do good job at competing and getting girls ready for the next level?
Julie Fonda- Orland Park Sparks, Beverly Bandits and Berwyn Bash are the three I think of right away travel wise. High school wise I really feel that Barrington, Elk Grove, Marengo, and Trinity
Julie Fonda
Glenbard South High School
Business/FaCS Department Chair
Assistant Athletic Director
Varsity Basketball, Varsity Softball
ALL RAIDER, ALL THE TIME
1.ILSOFTBALL.COM- Tell us about your background, grew up, school, etc. programs your story!
Julie Fonda- My background with softball actually begins with Baseball. I started playing baseball at a young age because softball was not offered in my area. I fell in love with the game and played baseball until I could not anymore. I was 14 when my Dad finally made my switch over to softball the summer before my freshman year. Once I switched it took me some time to adjust. Defensively I was fine, but the hitting aspect was a little dificult for me... So my coach decided to make me into a bunter slapper. I was already a natural lefty so it was an easy transition for me. I watched a video by Mike Candrea (Arizona Coach) and taught myself in my garage. From there I played 4 years of Varsity softball at Glenbard South where I earned all conference all 4 years and all state my senior year. My favorite part of the game is baserunning. I love the challenge of moving players around the bases without putting the ball into play. When I was a senior I set the state stolen base record with 208 steals in 4 season's of play. I then went on to play college softball at Eastern Illinois University. Once I graduated from College I knew I wanted to coach this awesome game that gave me so much! I luckily got a job right away teaching and coaching at the high school I attended and have been there ever since
2.ILSOFTBALL.COM- What made you decide to go into coaching? What is your coaching philosophy? How important is winning?
Julie Fonda-I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a teacher and a coach. I love sports - I played three sports in high school and I was lucky to have great mentors and people around me that helped me accomplish my goals. I knew I wanted to teach and coach at the high school level so I could give back to this amazing sport that taught me so many life lessons and gave me drive and determination to accomplish my goals. My Coaching philosophy is simple, Give Everything All The Time and great things will happen! I also go by the motto never be satisfied. I lead my teams by example, showing them what it takes to succeed in school, sports and beyond. I really want my athletes to learn how to do things all out no matter what it is. WInning of course is fun, but it is not what it is all about! It is more important to me to teach my girls the game, and how to make decisions on their own. I do not feel like I need to insert myself into the game if I have done my job in practice. Winning is the result of giving 100% all the time and never being satisfied.
3.ILSOFTBALL.COM- What type of student-athlete is most difficult for you to work with? How do you overcome this?
Julie Fonda-The most difficult athlete I have come across is the one that is not open to seeing things a different way... Often times athletes feel that the way their summer teams do it is the only way. It is my job to show them that their are always multiple ways to accomplish the same thing, and my team will do it the best way for them, and to be honest that way may not be the same from year to year depending on personell. To be honest I have been very lucky to have student athletes that trust me to do what is best for them and the program, so I have not had to overcome this. I have had athletes challenge me, but I welcome their insight, and I try to make it an open discussion - at this point in a Varsity softball players life they have played enough games to have an opinion and often a very good one, I want to talk through all of the posibilities and give them a voice. But in the end they have to understand that I am the coach and I will make the final decision for the team.
4.ILSOFTBALL.COM- what do you believe makes a great softball program, what criteria would you use to determine whether or not you have a good program?
Julie Fonda- Great softball programs are measured by the honest capabilities of the players and working on improving the group. I have been blessed with Awesome players, however I do know that my luck will run out sooner or later and I will not always have the talent that I have had in the past. I believe in those years is when a coach is at their best! Teaching the game and getting your kids to play WAY BEYOND their capabilities. Showing them how to play as a team and work together to accomplish common goals!
5.ILSOFTBALL.COM- How important is planning to good coaching?
Julie Fonda-Planning is one of the most important aspects of coaching. If you can not plan good practices that accomplish a lot in a short amount of time and often times inside in a gym or small area, then you will not find much improvement in your players or much success in your program. Running a program is not an easy thing to do in this day and age when coaches are asked to be teachers, role models, parents, and take on many other roles within their school. For instance I am a teacher, department chair, assistant athletic director and head coach of both basketball and softball. If I do not plan well, I am not good at ANY of those roles!
6.ILSOFTBALL.COM- who is your role model?
Julie Fonda-I have a few people in my life that have served as great role models for me in the many aspects of my life. As a young athlete my dad was always there to play catch, shoot hoops and do a variety of other sport activities with me. He showed me what work ethic was both on the field/court and in life. When I went to high school, my high school coach Mr. Bill Voves became a major role model to me. He showed me how to never give up and to never be satisfied which to this day I live by.
7.ILSOFTBALL.COM- A parent complains about something that has happened in your program/playing time etc. How would you handle that? How do you deal with an upset parent?
Julie Fonda-I really try to communicate up-front with parents and their athletes so they know what the expectations are within my program. When a parent gets upset about their daughters playing time, or some decision I have made, I feel it is important to communicate through a conversation. I am not a fan of hiding behind email, but when that is not possible I feel that regardless of the situation communication upfront can solve a lot of frustartion and anger when people know what they can expect from me
8.ILSOFTBALL.COM- What motivation techniques work best for you? What do you do with the athlete who is not motivated to achieve?
Julie Fonda-Motivation to succeed is a tough nut to crack, most athlete have the inside of them, so coming across the athlete who is not motivated to achieve is rare at the varsity level. When I am dealing with an unmotivated athlete I try to show them how much I care and their teammates care about their success and how their success helps our team to succeed! Motivation is very depended upon the group of girls that I have. Often times winning is motivation enough, however there are times when helping the girls find their own motivation will go really far. I try to teach the girls how to motivate themselves especially since I will not always be their coach!
9.ILSOFTBALL.COM- How do you promote your program to get student-athletes involved in softball?
Julie Fonda- Make it fun!!! I feel that high school sports have been taken to a different level and the pressure to win is way to high - many student athletes are specializing in one sport which makes it difficult for teams to field multiple levels. So I really try to make it a fun learning experience.
10.ILSOFTBALL.COM- Explain what you envision the off-season portion of your program will entail?
Julie Fonda- The offseason of my program is really simple. I ask my girls to play other sports. I want them to experience other sports and if they are not into other sports then it is up to them to work on their game. I am a basketball coach as well, so I do not mandate my players to come in and do anything in the off season! I feel they need a break and also think they can get more out of playing other sports and being coached by other coaches...
11.ILSOFTBALL.COM- Some people say that a coach should be special, a role model that should be just as concerned about his/her behavior Others would say that the coach’s life should be his/her own after hours. what they do on their own time is their own business. What do you think?
Julie Fonda-I feel that a coach should be free to do what they want on their own time, however coaches must understand that they are held to a higher standard and that they can hurt their own reputation by acting inappropriately.
12. ILSOFTBALL.COM- What is your philosophy regarding varsity vs. JV?
Julie Fonda- Varsity should be comprised of the best players within the program. JV is a fundamental development level where athletes are given opportunity to improve their skills and prepare to contribute to the Varsity.
13.ILSOFTBALL.COM- What are your thoughts vs PGF,ASA,USSSA NSA?
Julie Fonda-I think all of these organizations are wonderful! They have given girls the chance to play softball at a number of levels.
14.ILSOFTBALL.COM- what role did your parents play in you coaching softball?
Julie Fonda- My parents gave me the opportunity to fall in love with sports in general! They have always been super supportive and to this day my dad still keeps my book at my games for me and my mom is my and my teams biggest fan!!
15.ILSOFTBALL.COM- what do you think about women coaches in IL? who are some of your favs?
Julie Fonda- Women coaches in Illinois have come a long way... I remember when I was the only female in my conference and now there are multiple. I respect all of the coaches I coach against. I have not come across a coach that coaches for the money, it is a huge time commitment and I feel that there are a LOT of great coaches in Illinois. Tinley Park's Wendy Podbielniak, Jen Tyrrell and April Shermann are all coaches that I respect tremendously and work hard at their jobs!
16.ILSOFTBALL.COM- How do you see PGF growing on the futures and national level?
Julie Fonda- I would love to see fastpitch return to the Olympics! I feel that our sport is only going to get bigger over time! It is in a great place right now and popularity is only getting bigger!
17.ILSOFTBALL.COM- what other teams in IL and the Midwest highschool or travel do good job at competing and getting girls ready for the next level?
Julie Fonda- Orland Park Sparks, Beverly Bandits and Berwyn Bash are the three I think of right away travel wise. High school wise I really feel that Barrington, Elk Grove, Marengo, and Trinity
Julie Fonda
Glenbard South High School
Business/FaCS Department Chair
Assistant Athletic Director
Varsity Basketball, Varsity Softball
ALL RAIDER, ALL THE TIME
