Email. Touring facilities day after day in the heat, he knew the job wouldnt be easy but he didnt know it would nearly take his life. At 32-years-old, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders is trying to create his own legacy while honoring his late . Since being named Jackson State's head coach back in September 2020, Sanders boasts a 23-5 (.821) record including a 16-2 (.889) conference mark earning him Southwestern Athletic Conference. Robert Krause of Kansas State University heard what I had in mind, they immediately agreed to help out, he continued. But then, on a busy afternoon like any other, Kevin heard the sound he would never forgetone explosion, and then another, snapping like popcorn in the distance. He joined a wheelchair basketball league, and continued to enter racing competitions, finding success at the regional, and then national levels. Despite the early setback, however, he enjoyed this new sport and made a decision that he would become a better wheelchair athlete. He was instantly knocked unconscious and was blown through the roof of the building. Kevin Saunders is widely regarded as one of the most powerful motivational speakers alive today. In 1989, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole nominated Saunders to serve on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition (PCFSN). Coach Saunders won the Virgina State Championship in 2011, finishing with a 13-2 record that season. All rights reserved. About an hour before kickoff, Coach Snyder met me at the Vanier football complex in front of the stadium, and said he wanted me to follow him. like follow. Saunders was in the USDA government building when the largest explosion struck. Kevin Saunders, a motivational coach and inspirational speaker, will address the INTRUST BANK Kansas Livestock Association clients about overcoming adversity, breaking barriers and transcending limitations on Thursday December 3, 2009 at 8PM at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. safety hazards at the Corpus Christi Public Grain Elevator, reappointed to the Council by President Bill Clinton. Red Sanders. Saunders was one of just 20 individuals chosen to serve on the PCFSN during the Bush Administration (1989-1993). [5], The next day, on April 7, an employee disregarded basic safety precautions during a routine Phostoxin pesticide application, triggering a spark[6] in one of the silos with abnormally heavy grain dust concentrations. He then found success in Georgia with Pebblebrooke, making the playoffs in three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018 before taking over at Gilmer in 2019. After graduating from college, Saunders became a federal inspector for the USDA. Based on that experience,he's not someone I would choose to get to know. While in Washington, DC to meet with President Bush, Saunders unexpectedly met with Rev. While at KSU, he joined the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and continued to play sports until graduating from the university in 1978. Aug 03, 2022 at 02:52 PM. Cayden Saunders was always following in his father's footsteps. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 8 December. About the experience, Saunders has said, I didnt even know how long the course was. Please note: The Yonkers Brave football team is a merged team, consisting of players from Saunders HS, Lincoln HS, Riverside HS and Palisades Prep. Saunders has also won many road races throughout the United States and in other countries. Kevin Saunders resigned from his position as Gilmer High Schools football head coach last Wednesday. He transferred to Kansas State University, majoring in agricultural economics. Head Coach. Doctors gave him less than 1% chance of survival. To know more, please view our, https://www.texasspeakersbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/08/Motivational-Coach-K-State-Football-Team-Kevin-Saunders-giv1.mp4, https://www.texasspeakersbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/08/Kevin-Saunders-The-Wildcat-Way.mp4, https://www.texasspeakersbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/08/Kevin-Saundersa-top-Motivational-safety-Speaker-talks-about.mp4, https://www.texasspeakersbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/08/Kevin-Saunders-top-keynote-Speaker-on-Peak-Performance-and-P.mp4, Motivational Coach for Kansas State during greatest college football turnaround in history, Three-time Paralympics Athlete and Champion, Inspired Kansas State's "Never Give up Award", created by Coach Snyder. Along the way, Saunders received over 100 official mayoral and gubernatorial proclamations declaring Kevin Saunders Day for his work in promoting greater health and fitness across the nation. While Kevin is shy about claiming any credit for the teams success, others seem to feel differently. All rights reserved. In 1983 (two years after his injury) Saunders was persuaded by his brother, Gerald from Greenville, South Carolina to try entering his first wheelchair race, the Peachtree Road Race held in Atlanta, Georgia, every year on July 4. He says, When Id finished, I looked around the room, meeting their eyes with my own. Twenty six years later, Dole would play a pivotal role in introducing Saunders to President George H. W. Bush, and recommending him for the Presidents Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. This guy earned that title long ago", "Department of Agricultural Economics - Alumni>Distinguished Alumni", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kevin_Saunders&oldid=1119230577, Paralympic bronze medalists for the United States, Paralympic track and field athletes of the United States, Athletes (track and field) at the 1988 Summer Paralympics, Athletes (track and field) at the 1992 Summer Paralympics, Athletes (track and field) at the 1996 Summer Paralympics, Paralympic medalists in athletics (track and field), Short description is different from Wikidata, BLP articles lacking sources from July 2017, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2020, BLP articles lacking sources from January 2020, Articles lacking reliable references from October 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Motivational speaker, paralympian, author, This page was last edited on 31 October 2022, at 11:14. Management representatives met with the head engineer and declined to act on the inspection report, opting instead to continue normal operations. He joined a wheelchair basketball league, and continued to enter racing competitions, finding success at the regional, and then national levels. While in Washington, DC to meet with President Bush, Saunders unexpectedly met with Rev. Saunders became a motivational speaker and consultant in 1984, shortly after winning the bronze medal at the USATF Championships in Johnson City, Tennessee. Cristian Driver and Liam Clifford, the latter of. Billy Graham at the White House. By sharpening his body and mind together, he became a world class competitor. Saunders turned in his letter of resignation last Wednesday and discussed his reason for leaving the, Saunders steps down as Gilmer Highs football head coach, Ledford proud, excited to be new CLCC minister, Ellijay girl running for St. Jude fundraiser, Gilmer High School teacher arrested, resigns, Woofstock to be a groovy good time for pets, owners, Longtime court clerk Johnsons kindness, dedication remembered. Mailing Address: He also lacked the proper equipment, lining up at the start in a standard-issue hospital wheelchair unsuitable for racing. And if youre wondering how someone rises from those depths to become a champion, hes been there, too. Kevin is old school and most parents and kids can't handle that. This season, Coach Saunders led the Bobcats to a 3-6 record after reclassifiying down to 3A, and for the first time in 4 years, Gilmer was in the playoff discussion. Just 4 years later, in 1989, the Downs High School Track team went on to win their schools first State Track & Field Championship. He served on the Council until 2000. But then, on a busy afternoon like any other, Kevin heard the sound he would never forgetone explosion, and then another, snapping like popcorn in the distance. In fact, the grateful players, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in and out of football, even dedicated an annual award in his honor. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. old school is a rare find these days, always appreciated like a breath of fresh air. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. Having heard the sudden blasts erupting just yards away, his last recollection of the event is that the walls blew out in my face. Coach Snyder asked Kevin Saunders to stay on as the motivational coach for the Kansas State football team. Faced with severe paralysis, he overcame constant physical pain, overwhelming depression and self-doubt to become a World Champion athlete, author and inspiration to millions around the world - helping them to "Never Give Up!" in pursuit of their goals. Passionate about loving God and building meaningful relationships with people. And if youre wondering how someone rises from those depths to become a champion, hes been there, too. Doctors gave him less than 1% chance of survival. All Rights Reserved. Recommended Posts. Anyone who has heard Kevin speak knows he believes that Sports is the. Coach Leavitt was the co-defensive coordinator at Kansas State and Kevin Saunders was the motivation coach for the team. SO, i was reading the morning that KEVIN SAUNDERS (FORMER JJ KELLY, GRETNA COACH)had parted ways with GILMER HIGH SCHOOL as football coach.He has a reputation for rebuilding former powerhouse programs including GA. PEBBLEBROOKE H.S (6A). In 1994, Saunders became the only person to be reappointed to the council by President Bill Clinton. An accident in April 1981, at a grain elevator in Corpus Christi, Texas, wounded him severely, and left him in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the chest down. In the report, the Baltimore Ravens and former strength coach Steve Saunders got by far the worst ratings of any team in the league with a grade of "F-" and a few players can explain why. Saunders then presented these students with a gold medal in recognition of their accomplishments. In 1990, Saunders founded the Wheelchair Success Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing scholarships for college or technical schools to people with disabilities and permanently confined to a wheelchair. On April 6, 1981, at the age of 23, Saunders identified and reported safety hazards at the Corpus Christi Public Grain Elevator, in Corpus Christi, Texas. 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