Ep. 9 - Breaking Labels in the SEC | With Coach Courtney Deifel

Champions don’t just show up on game day, they find their voice long before the first pitch. In the second part of our conversation with Coach Courtney Deifel, we unpack how confidence on the field becomes courage in life, why “nice” and “ruthlessly competitive” can live in the same coach, and how language and labels still shape how women leaders are seen. From the subtle double standards to the head-on charge through stereotypes, this conversation is a playbook for building athletes who speak up, stand firm, and win together.

We dig into defining moments: the first super-clinching celebration etched in memory, a two-strike swing that flipped a regional, and the surge of belief you can feel from a dugout to the last row. Beyond highlights, we get practical about growing women’s sports, expanding facilities, amplifying visibility, and building a professional pathway that matches the passion in the stands. Coach Deifel shares the heart of her program: athletes feel chosen and trusted, which turns potential into performance and raises everyone’s ceiling.

The story widens to legacy and family. Strong mentors at home, a sister who set the competitive standard, and players who become part of the family shape a culture where kids learn that sport is what you do, not who you are. Failure becomes a teacher, adversity a muscle. Along the way, we trade reflections on coaches who change lives, the power of honest feedback, and the simple, radical advice to young women: be yourself, and go for it.

If you care about women’s sports, athlete development, leadership, or the mindset that turns pressure into joy, this one’s for you. Subscribe to Youth Unmuted, share this episode with a teammate or coach, and leave a review telling us your biggest “go for it” moment.

Transcript

Welcome Back And Setup

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome back everyone. My name is Holden and I am your host for the Youth Unmuted Podcast. This is a team-led podcast with the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County where we share unique stories that relate to today's youth. Let's get started. Welcome back, everyone, to part two where we get to continue our discussion with Coach Daifu. Let's get right into it. All right. Coach Daifu, so can you tell me how do you empower your athletes not just to perform on the field, but to use their voices off the field?

SPEAKER_01 0:28

Oh, that's a good question. Um, especially coaching female athletes. I think that's one of the biggest uh growth areas that they have when they they get to us is learning how to use their voice and fighting for themselves, fighting for their teammates, fighting for their team, as type of thing. So um, you know, I think that all of it's connected when you're when you're confident on the field, you're confident off the field more often than not. You know, if you're confident in the classroom, there's there's so many things that cross over. And so for us, I think it's just um empowering them like to be themselves, um, to speak from their heart, um, to fight for the things that matter to them. Um and even though I think the tough thing is in society, I guess, um you still it still kind of reinforces women to just kind of go with the flow or or not maybe cause, you know, cause waves or or and so you know, we gotta you know kind of go against the green there and and fight for the things that really matter to us. Um I think I think it's too the you know, I think it's the mindset sometimes of path of least least resistance, or you want people to let you want to please people. And I think sometimes um in that you lose a little pace of yourself. And so just making sure that they're true to themselves and um speaking from the heart with their teammates, you know, I think you have more respect than you get more respect from them than maybe um skirting around the honest truth and not being like real with them, you know. And so I think it's there's so many lessons on the daily in different situations, and just trying to mentor them through that.

Gender Stereotypes In Coaching

SPEAKER_00 2:12

And yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely. And um, something you touched is like, like you said, as woman. And so like this episode is like women do sports too. So do you think there's like a part of you that like you know you have to like teach them differently? Or there's like specific challenges that you face or like your team faces just because like of the gender of you guys?

Rapid Fire: Fast Pitch Game

SPEAKER_01 2:33

Oh, yeah, I think there's challenges always with uh with the gender of how it's perceived. Um and so yeah, I I do think so. I think sometimes there's uh misconceptions or stereotypes that um, you know, if if I'm mean, I'm I'm the B-word, you know, instead of intense or demand, you know, demanding or I want things. No, I'm I would be, you know, that. Um, I think for our players, if they play with passion, they're gonna get a little bit more scrutiny than a male player playing with passion. Well, own it, let's go for it. Those types of things. Um I think that for me, I think something that's been hard is I think I'm kind. Um I I think that some people are like, oh, she's so nice. I think when I got hired, they're like, she's too nice to coach in the SEC. Well, nice is not naivety. Um, nice is how you treat people. Being kind is how you treat people doesn't make me less competitive. It doesn't make me um less stringent to standards. Um, you know, and so I I think that there's stereotypes that women always have to um charge through, I guess, not hurdle or dance around. No, you charge right through them because um I think that, you know, there's there's a lot of things. I'm also a mom. Um, and so there's, you know, I'll go recruiting and I'll get the questions of, well, who has your kids? Well, my husband does, you know, like you're not asking the male coaches. So you're constantly fighting um just, you know, things that aren't necessarily people don't know better, maybe. I don't really know. There's just like societal norms or stereotypes um that kind of reinforce women not being strong and in a leadership role. And I don't ever want our players to feel that. Um, and so the sooner I can encourage them, and um I have males on my staff that they, you know, show them how women should be child should be treated and empowered and making sure that they're strong and confident. And um, I think that that's huge. You know, if it's just the little group that we have of our softball team, it's gonna spill out onto people that watch us. And um, and so we're just doing our part to make sure women know to be strong and confident and have their voice and fight for the things that matter to them.

SPEAKER_00 5:04

Yeah, really allowing them to kind of like push those societal norms and just be you, you know. That's awesome. Absolutely. I want to change, get to maybe a little wider thing. Something we usually do on each episode is play a little game.

SPEAKER_02 5:15

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 5:16

So um, this one is called Fast Pitch Rapid Fire. So this one's gonna be just for you if you're if you're ready for that.

SPEAKER_01 5:22

Yeah, bring it on.

SPEAKER_00 5:23

Yeah, absolutely. Okay, so I'm gonna ask you this. I don't if if you don't know how the game works, I'm gonna ask you these questions and then just as fast as you can. First thing that comes to your mind, we're gonna go to the next one. All right. No, you got this. Okay. It's gonna be great, right? Okay, go-to motivational phrase.

SPEAKER_01 5:37

Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right.

SPEAKER_00 5:40

Pitch you left to call the most.

SPEAKER_01 5:42

Change up.

SPEAKER_00 5:44

SDC rival that brings out the best in your team.

SPEAKER_01 5:47

Tennessee.

SPEAKER_00 5:49

Favorite postseason moment.

SPEAKER_01 5:52

Oh, shoot, that's tough, Holden. Um, I'm gonna go back. Okay, I have two. Can I do two?

SPEAKER_00 5:59

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:00

Okay. Um, that's cheating.

SPEAKER_00 6:01

No, that's okay.

SPEAKER_01 6:02

Okay. Um, our first super. So in year three, we clinched our first super at home. We hosted uh regionals, and I still remember the play. I remember the pitch, I remember the play and the celebration. I still have that picture just embedded in my mind. Um, and so that was huge. That was a big first for our program. Um, oh gosh, as I'm talking, I'm like thinking no more. Um, okay, shoot. Um, you know, last year's, last year's come from behind when in our regional game was huge. Um, so I love those moments, you know. Um, and so we are playing Oklahoma State and we are down to like literally our last out. And um, Ella McDowell, a freshman in all American, third facing for us. Um, she I think had a two-strike count, hit a ball to tie it, and it was just like everyone just erupted. But in that moment, so there's so many things. Sorry, this is supposed to be rapid fire. Okay, okay. Um, in that moment, you could feel in our dugout that we were gonna do it. And you could feel it from all of our fans. We have incredible fans. Um, and they are so loyal and so supportive, and you could just feel a change in the entire atmosphere of like this is happening. Like, that's really stinking cool. You know, I can think of more. No, that's amazing. So much for rapid fire.

SPEAKER_00 7:23

We're gonna pretend that was quick and we're just gonna we're gonna move on and make it a little better. No, you're fine. Favorite ballpark snack, popcorn uh city you love traveling to for games.

SPEAKER_01 7:36

Oh, I'll say Lexington, Kentucky.

SPEAKER_00 7:38

Okay, favorite team tradition. Winning. That's a good one. Okay, that's a good one. Hype song that always works.

SPEAKER_01 7:46

Oh my gosh. Uh I don't got a good one for that.

SPEAKER_00 7:51

That's all right. That's all right. Uh, one word to describe your coaching style.

SPEAKER_01 7:54

I can tell my trip, my my oldest, the his hype song that always works.

SPEAKER_00 7:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 7:58

Read okay.

SPEAKER_00 8:00

A lot of teams, I he always uses. That's his go-to. Absolutely. Okay, nothing wrong with that. Um, one word to describe your coaching style.

SPEAKER_01 8:07

Uh, encouraging.

SPEAKER_00 8:09

Rain delay activity of choice. Watching softball. And favorite sports movie.

SPEAKER_01 8:15

Oh, shoot. Um, what's my favorite sports movie? A League of Their Own.

SPEAKER_00 8:22

Oh, yeah, good one. Sounds like we have we have Coach Difel's son in here getting to listen on.

SPEAKER_01 8:28

I found a friend. I found a friend.

SPEAKER_00 8:29

Sounds like he knows his mom pretty well.

SPEAKER_01 8:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:31

All right, let's go. So that was awesome. I appreciate that. We're gonna learn the rules a little better next time and just go a little rapid fire, but it's okay.

SPEAKER_01 8:40

That was like slow fire.

SPEAKER_00 8:41

No, no, that's fine. Slow burn. This is all about getting to know you, so that was great. Okay, so I'm gonna move on to the next question. Um, what challenges do female coaches still face today that aren't talked about enough? So I know we kind of mentioned that, but just like anything specific that you just feel like is just overlooked and not talked about.

Overlooked Challenges For Women Coaches

SPEAKER_01 9:00

Um I do think that women's sports in general, I think the the challenges that that women coaches face is are like a microcosm of like women's sports in general, of not having um the exposure and the full support. So like we don't have a full pro league yet, you know, like we're working towards that. And so when it starts, uh you start to like fight for yourself, or um, even when it comes to contracts and things like that, um, I think that there's still a lot holding back the women's side of sports. Um, and so I think that, you know, if a lot of the rules that just came in place kind of pushed us back. But um I think when it comes to filling stadiums, well, our stadium's full now. Let's figure out how to expand our stadium. Um, those things that just continue to that can continue to grow the women's side of the game. Um, I think that's can also be reflected in women's coaches.

SPEAKER_00 10:05

Yeah, for sure. We need to make that stadium bigger.

SPEAKER_01 10:06

Yeah, let's do this. Get more fans. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 10:08

No, yeah, for sure. Uh so you a lot is talked about about like your coaching style and how it has made your team so successful, not only like as a team as a whole, but also like those individual players. So, what has been your like your most, your biggest accomplishment? Like, what means the most to you that if you have acquired, your team has acquired at UA?

SPEAKER_01 10:30

Um Well, I think that our players know that I believe in them. Um, and I think that they know that we as a staff believe in them, that we chose them. Um, and I think when you when you feel invested in and believed in, um, there's just so much that can come of that. It's like everyone wants to be believed in and valued and all of those things. Um, and so I would say that's been the biggest thing.

unknown 10:59

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 11:00

Does that answer your question?

SPEAKER_00 11:01

Absolutely. Okay. It does, it does. Hey, this is just however you take it works for me.

Defining Success Through Belief

SPEAKER_01 11:05

I think the biggest thing is when you believe in them, they start to see more in themselves than they thought was possible. And I think that's what our program has done. I believe in this place. I love Arkansas, I believe in in where we're going, I believe in what we do. Um, and I love who I get to do it with. Um, and so when you believe in something wholeheartedly and you love what you do and you love what you who you do it with, and everyone feels that, and everyone and everyone also shares in that sentiment, then you go places that you never thought were possible and you make your players see things that weren't possible. And um, and so I think that's what it's all about.

SPEAKER_00 11:43

Yeah, you care about coaching, but what it sounds like is at times it's bigger, or all the time it's bigger than it's gonna be. It's always bigger, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 11:50

It's always bigger than the game.

SPEAKER_00 11:51

Yeah. So yeah, that's awesome. So um, next question. If you had one piece of advice for young women, specifically young women in sports, what would it be?

SPEAKER_01 12:00

Uh be true to yourself, be authentic to you. That's when you're gonna be your your best.

SPEAKER_00 12:05

Yeah, absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 12:06

And and go for it.

SPEAKER_00 12:08

Go for it.

SPEAKER_01 12:09

Go for it. Women always will try to like um talk themselves out of it or think like, oh, I don't know if I can do it. Go for it. You never know. I think women are superheroes, so like legitimately superheroes. And I think that they can handle way more than they give themselves credit for. Uh you handle whatever is on your plate, and we have a lot on our plate, and so I would say go for it.

Advice To Young Women In Sports

SPEAKER_00 12:31

Yeah. What was your biggest go-for moment? I know I'm putting you on the spot, but like something in life that's just like, you know, I'm gonna take this risk, and it it worked out, or maybe it didn't. But like, what was your biggest go-for moment?

SPEAKER_01 12:43

I think it was the series of um taking the head coaching job at Maryland. I never um aspired to be a head coach. I love coaching. I love um, I don't feel like I have to be in charge, but um, I could be a really good uh assistant. I could be a really good follower, you know, like I could be a leader I can also follow really well. Um, and so taking that first head job and then getting the call from Arkansas and and thinking, um, I can I can do this, you know, and just kind of betting on, I was married at the time. We got married and and moved to Maryland for my first head job like two days later, and then we got pregnant with um my oldest and and moved to Arkansas. They hired me at six and a half months pregnant. And I think it was one of those like, okay, Arkansas hasn't done it, or taking over a program in the SEC or having their first kid, you know, all of those things. And why not? I'm just gonna go for it. I'm gonna bet on myself.

SPEAKER_00 13:41

And uh, and so that was one of those times where it was definitely successful.

SPEAKER_01 13:46

Yeah, it worked out okay.

SPEAKER_00 13:47

Yeah, yeah. Super, super proud of you for that. And so um, growing up, did you have a specific woman mentor in your life, or did you kind of carve your own path?

Going For It: Career And Motherhood

SPEAKER_01 13:57

Um I think yes and no. My mom's really like one of the strongest people I know. Um, my sister also. So I and she's my older sister. So I um I got to see my mom carve her own path, which is which is amazing when you can actually when you can see that, and she's so strong and she's um not afraid to be who she is. Um, she's opinionated, she's always wanted everything for my sister and I and myself. Um, and so to see her fight for us and carve her own path, I think is really empowering. Um, and then my sister is also a softball player. She was a four-time first team All American at Fresno Estate, like incredible. I got to watch her compete. And so she was my, I was a front row, I had a front row seat to watching one of the biggest competitors. Um, and so I just they're my two biggest uh mentor, mentors are like who who to watch, who to want to be like, who to to you know, see what strong looks like.

SPEAKER_00 15:00

Yeah, and it sounds like you had that firsthand like experience of because you had those family members. Um, can you tell me a little bit about how your family legacy has kind of like built you up? Because you sound like your your dad, your mom, your sister. I mean, even your husband was able to coach at like the college level. So just how is that kind of like legacy that you've like built around, like really just like allow you to aspire to be someone great?

Family Mentors And Legacy

SPEAKER_01 15:23

Yeah, I think that you if you're doing it right, you're always learning from who you're around. And and um, I think that I'm really fortunate because I have such a strong unit in my family. My parents are divorced, they're they're two very different people, but they have always been so supportive of my sister and me. And so just having that unit, having my sister, having um my husband, and just kind of knowing sports and what you get from that and coaching and seeing the impact you can have on your players and getting to see that firsthand from from the people so close to me. And um I I think that's what it's all about. You you get into coaching to impact, I think, you know, like you should be. Like I know I did, um, but I've been watching a lot of this like um football happen in the last few days. I'm like, do you get into it to impact? I don't know. Um, but you you get into it to to impact your players and to make them their best versions on and off the field. And um, and I've gotten to see that from everybody close to me. And and then they support me in that. And and I think that's one of the best things of having such a strong family unit is is you show up for each other and they continue to show up and um just support what what we're doing, like this is theirs too. And um, and so it's I'm really lucky, but that's um that's what I've that's what I know, I guess. That's what I know. That's what I've always been around with my with my family.

SPEAKER_00 16:55

Yeah, and you said how like you're in and hopefully every coach is in it, you know, to make that impact on their players, which I believe is so important, you know, like as someone who plays sports, like my coach's impact on me is a big role on who I am today. Um, for me, I I can name, like I had a former basketball coach, uh, Coach Pazley. He really made like a big impact on my life. He uh he moved to a different school because he had a kid and you know he was always driving far for work. So it was just what worked best for the family. And like, you know, at first like that was hard. And then like eventually, you know, like obviously we keep in touch. Like I come over for dinner, like it's just super amazing. And yes, he made me a better basketball player, but even more, he made me a better person. And I can see that personal growth. And like when he was able to take like a step back and do what's best for his family, and I like felt that like heard that loss in my life. I think that just shows how much of an impact he made on me, and I'm sure many other people on our team and kind of like that's what coaching is about, is you know, you're gonna be able to be a coach of these players for so long, but you'll have those memories and like those connections with them like for a lifetime beyond softball, beyond basketball, just beyond what you're being able to coach. So that's very impactful for you, and I'm sure some of your players feel the same way.

SPEAKER_01 18:12

Yeah. Well, if I'm lucky enough, I will.

SPEAKER_00 18:14

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 18:14

So I think that's one of the best parts is getting to go to their weddings and getting to hold their kids when they have them and they bring them back. And um, I think that's the piece is getting to be a part of their lives forever. Yeah. Um, tell me about Coach Pazley. Like, what is what was his coaching personality? Pazly, right? Yeah. Coach Pazley. What was his coaching personality? Like, why did you connect with it so well?

A Player’s Story Of Coaching Impact

How Players Shape Coaches

SPEAKER_00 18:36

I think you and Coach, we call him Coach Paz. Uh Coach Paz are very similar. Um, I I was just in junior high at the time, but before that, I feel like I had a coach who was kind of like, I don't want to say he was rooted in negativity because he wasn't, but he was kind of just like more on like the strict side. And like I think as a kid, and even now, I was very like an emotional person. And so I just remember like kind of like when I was younger, like when I wasn't being like supported, like I just it really like had an impact on me like negatively because I when I'm being like struck down or like criticized, I believe everyone needs to criticize, but like when it's constant, you know, I think it doesn't have as beneficial of an impact that you know being supported like can. And uh Coach Paz, he was kind of just the first person to like really like encourage you, you know. He was kind of new at coaching, we were like new one of his first groups, so just being able to come with him and kind of like go through the ride together, you know. Like there were times, of course, when I was like, I don't know what I'm doing. And I feel like there were times that he never let us show it, but like times when he was like, I don't really like know 100% what's going on because I haven't been put in the situation. But he was very like open and honest to us about that. He pushed us um every day. We're we're running a lot, which you know is not fun as a player, but like you could see how it translated. Um, we did stuff, like he prepared us for now, and that's something that I see is like like basketball is what I'm talking about. And uh we always we were like we're a man school, like we played defense, we played man. Um but coming in, like we kind of have length, like I'm I'm 6'2, and a lot of my team is tall and lengthy. And um he kind of introduced like the one-through one to us and just like learning how to play that, and he worked with me like specifically to like play the top and like trap and stuff, and like that just directly correlates because now for the first time since I can remember, like we're a zone team, like we're playing the one-through-one, and you can kind of just see how he saw that in us. He knew that, like, you know, he may be new, but he knew this is what worked, and um, we were able to just go with that, and like it was hard at first because when you're when you change defenses, like you know, or like different plays, like it can be hard. Um, but we stuck through it, he stuck with us, and we made it work, but just off the court, you know, he was also there for us. Um, I was able to job shadow um my tenth grade year. I was in a child and girls development class, and I got to job shadow, and he was just the first person that clicked to my mind automatically, and just seeing the way he interacted with kids outside of outside of the basketball court, like even just as PE kids, just like how much fun, like the way they'd always like run up to him, you know, they felt safe around him is just super, super impactful to me because he's definitely the type of guy that like I want to see in myself when I'm older. Yeah, because for him, basketball was very important, but he knows that there is something bigger. And becoming for him, it was young men, just like empowering us to become successful young men was very important to him. And that shows because now that we're all we're his first team, so that we're all seniors, you know, kind of just all of us like finding our own personalities and just getting ready to to carve our own path. For me, for me, I can just see a lot of myself in him because um a lot of people well a lot of people that I know like know this. Um, but I grew I'm growing up without a father. It's uh my mom is a single mother at home, so that male impact is something. That I've like lacked over the years. And so coaching staff is important to me because that is like majority. I see my coaches every day. You know, like we have practice right now, we're in season six days a week. We'll come in on Sunday night to practice. We have Saturdays off. But I see them all the time. And my coaches now, even though Coach Paz is not there, uh, my coaches now, I still think they do a great job of like giving me that like beneficial impact. And I think that in a way, players can also impact their coaches, which is something I was gonna ask you about later, and we'll get to that, is but like I also want to have an impact on coaches that like I'm not the same as everyone else. Um, my teammate is not the same as everyone else, just because everyone goes through their own life, like their own struggles, their own highs and lows, you know, like everyone experiences those trials and tribulations. So just being able to kind of you don't have to change like 100% for every person that you go through, but just being able to learn, um, like I said, like being a good leader, just being able to get to know your team's strengths and weaknesses can really allow everyone to thrive. And that's a word they use a lot that I like. Like being able to thrive, I think, is something super important. So yeah, that's a lot. I know I went out all in a lot of different ways, but Coach Paz is very important to me, and I appreciate him. And as you can tell, he's made a big impact on my life. That's awesome.

SPEAKER_01 23:12

Yeah, and your mom's a superhero.

Lessons For Her Sons

SPEAKER_00 23:14

Yeah, my mom, yeah, let's talk about that. Uh, I absolutely love my mom. You know, it's just me and her at home. She's a single mother, and for her, like I look back and I get to see like everything that she sacrificed for me because uh she has a full-time job, you know, growing up. She had to support us. And so like she'd have to support us, like, get home, make dinner, ball practice. Like, I played football all the way until my eighth grade year. So it was like get ready, go to football practice. Football is over, now it's time for basketball, you know. So, and then basketball's over, time for baseball. It was uh I grew up playing like you know, a lot of sports like year-round, and she'd constantly just like sacrifice, you know, her extra time, even like the time she didn't have to make sure that I was successful, make sure that I always had the gear I needed, you know, the food on my table. So she has been my biggest, she is definitely my biggest cheerleader. She's at every single game. She, if it's an hour, two hours away, you know, she'll be there. If I am with the Boys and Girls Club and I'm speaking at a place in Atlanta, she she'll be there. I was in Dallas a few years ago. She was there. You know, she's just she's super like motivating to me because like I just like she didn't grow up with the best home life, but yeah, she's providing me with the home life she never had. And but like women can be superheroes and women are superheroes. And single moms, you see it a lot at coaches. There's just so many different examples of ways that women have stepped up. And for me, like my mom, firsthand experience, firsthand knowledge, I get to see how that woman is a superhero to like not only me, but other people every day, the people she works with. My friends, uh, being social is just like kind of who I am. So I constantly have people over, like she's going to games and talking to people. Like, that's just a lot, you know. For someone who has to work, who has to deal with me. I'm not, I'm not fun all times. Uh just deal with I can't imagine. No, no, just it's a lot. And um, I can see that. Uh, so I'm just super grateful for her and everything that she's done because she is she's a superhero, and so that's super awesome to see.

SPEAKER_01 25:17

Well, I'm sure she's amazing because you're amazing and she writes you. So yeah, thank you.

SPEAKER_00 25:21

She I I'd reflect in you're reflected in her. So yeah, her work's reflected in you. No, you know what I mean. No, I get I get exactly what you're saying. And then I mentioned earlier like the impact that I wanted to have on my coaches. What do you do you see your players impacting you and kind of like how have they maybe changed who you wanted to be, just like a specific example?

SPEAKER_01 25:43

Yeah, they they impact us every year, every day, every year. I think every team's different and every individual and every team's different. And and so I think that for us, it's um, you know, we're not stuck in our ways. And so it's like they make us better every day. Um, and so yeah, I think they impact us on and off the field. Um, they all like they all get my heart. They get my whole heart. All the whole, you know, from day one. Um, but yeah, they just they become part of our lives. Um, you know, it's it's uh they become part of their lives, yeah, you know, and that's the the big thing. And for us, we we say this in recruiting, but it's like anytime we bring someone into our program, they help raise our kids. You know, our kids are around all the time, and and we want to put good people around them and around us. And um, and so yeah, they impact us all the time, they're part of our crew, they're part of our family, they help raise our kids. They our our boys look at them as the strongest athletes they know. Athletes, not women, but they're strong women, but athletes. Yeah, um, and that's pretty amazing.

Future Paths And Closing

SPEAKER_00 26:56

Yeah, uh, you talk about your boys a lot. Like, what is the lesson that like growing up being an athlete? You know, you you have two boys, um, but like what is a lesson that you want them to learn and that you've kind of just instilled to them about maybe just like growing up and like pursuing um pursuing sports just like as hard as they can because like your family has all been about sports, but like also just you know, being who they are, um finding they're pretty young now, but like kind of just like being a leader. Like I know for me, it is also my coach has three daughters now. And so, like for me when I talk to them, you know, I kind of like just be upbeat, you know, let them know like like the sport is like what I love. So, you know, I I assume you have players that you can like they do great with your kids, and like that's why you're happy to have them around them, and like you can just see the lessons that they teach just because they are younger and they're like closer to the age. So, like what lessons do you just want your boys to have as they grow up in a time eight? Yeah, around these athletes.

SPEAKER_01 27:54

Um well, I think that I think the first thing we all want our our kids to know is that uh the sport's just something that they do. It's not who they are. Um, and so just to be really happy with who they are within the sport or around the sport. Um, and so I think that's the big thing. I think it's an avenue to to learn so many things about life and to um meet new people and learn how to work with different people and and all the lessons that come. But it and I I think that reveals who you are, but it's not who you are. You know what I mean? And so I think that, and then I think the other thing for our boys, and it might probably just because we're, you know, at the years 10 and 8, and we're put, you know, but to push through the hard. Um, I think that there's a lot of challenges, challenges. There's failure, there's losing, there's striking out, there's missing the the game winning shot, those things that that just build character and and uh give you the chance to to grow and learn and and become better. And and so to use it just as an avenue to to be your best and and to push through the hard. That's the the big thing. It's gonna be hard. And and you that's where you really grow.

SPEAKER_00 29:06

Yeah. Adversity, that is something that's something Coach Batt has said to us all the time was adversity, you know, push the adversity, that's super important.

SPEAKER_01 29:13

Um are you gonna coach when you grow up?

SPEAKER_00 29:16

So I definitely I thought about it. Coaching was something that I thought about as a career. Um, with all of this, you know, I also see a lot of like the business side of everything because you know, we're just working like with sponsors and like board members and stuff. And I've kind of like I've kind of fallen in love with that. I just like I just like getting to talk to people and meet around. Um, but coaching was definitely or still is, I guess, like my number two. You know, maybe if I get to call as I'm like, I don't think business is for me. I think coaching is where I'd go. And for a while it was definitely my number one, or some kind of broadcasting or something like that. Possibly, or maybe you can blend those. Yeah, I coach business broadcasting. Yeah, there we go. We'll get it started. Yeah, yeah. Uh well, Coach Difel, I just want to thank you so much for being able to and come on Yutan Meadow. You're very insightful. I know that's coming from an 18-year-old senior, but I can definitely see like why your program is so successful and why I know your boys are just gonna be successful young men. So yeah, I just really appreciate you being able to take the time. Uh, good luck to you this season. Uh good luck to all the Razorbacks, and I hope you guys have an amazing year, and I hope you took something away today.

SPEAKER_01 30:21

Yeah, absolutely. This is one of the most enjoyable podcasts I've ever done.

SPEAKER_00 30:25

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:25

Uh that flew by, and thank you for being patient with me, the rapid fire, not being so bad.

SPEAKER_00 30:30

Hey, it's totally fine. It's totally fine.

SPEAKER_01 30:32

No, that was awesome. Thank you so much, Holden.

SPEAKER_00 30:34

Yeah, no problem. Thank you. It was it was really fun. I enjoyed it, and yeah, for sure. I'll definitely have to come catch a game. Yeah, more than one. Okay. Thank you all for tuning in. Again, I am Holden, your host. Please like this video and subscribe to Youth Unmuted wherever you get your podcast. Until next time, peace.