7/19/2015 New coach steps up to the plate for the Woodlands Strykers The Woodlands Texas Sports News on Woodlands Online
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New coach steps up to the plate for the WoodlandsStrykersPublished 07/18/2015 | By Christina Nichols
THE WOODLANDS, Texas After JohnVillarreal, the former head coach of theWoodlands Strykers, accepted a role in theStrykers’ front office, head coach of MagnoliaWest, James Dillard, stepped up to the plate tofill the position.
As head coach, Dillard hopes to teach hisplayers to “respect the game and play it theright way. No matter what level you coach, youmust teach your athletes the game is biggerthan the individual, and by respecting thegame, you are also respecting yourteammates.”
Along with teaching his team to play selflessly,Dillard has learned the Strykers men always have their head in the game, regardless of what the scoreboardreads.
“They play the game hard and compete down to the last out, and that is what I have learned from them. Ireally think that is a trait all players need to have," said Dillard.
The former Sam Houston State University pitcher will be entering his fourteenth season of coaching whenthe 20152016 school year commences. While Dillard is currently the head coach at Magnolia West HighSchool as well, he enjoys how competitive the Texas Collegiate League is and “the grind of the season.”
Dillard continues, “I enjoy watching our guys grow into a team, and I really enjoy watching their confidencegrow as the season moves on.”
When asked what he does while off the field, the coach responded, “I’m usually doing something thatinvolves my family. I have been blessed with a beautiful wife and two boys. I love spending time with them.I’m so fortunate to have a wife that understands how much I enjoy coaching baseball and allows me to followmy dreams.“
As far as Dillard’s career as a whole, he has a coaching record that consists of 141 wins and 88 losses. Oneof the wins being a state title, which was won while Dillard was assistant coach at Waco Reicher HighSchool.
Dillard hopes to continue building the Strykers organization into a winner both on and off the field.
“I hope our future will be full of play off runs and TCL championships, but what separates this organizationfrom others is the leadership at the top, and that starts with our owner, Mr. Lozano.”
Dillards continues, “We want the Strykers to be synonymous with winning, but we want to do it with classand dignity. We want to do it the right way.”
Be sure to see the team and its new coach in action at a Strykers home game this summer at TheWoodlands Christian Academy!
Related Links:
Woodlands Strykers Directory Page
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