From the 2-4-12 Team

Marissa Brooks
aka – Missy

As I read your manuscript your words immediately transported me back in time, surfacing all the emotions and fond memories shaped by those unprecedented times – an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Reading your manuscript has made me realize the everlasting impact your coaching has had on my life. If I never said it to you back then, I want to say thank you to you now for teaching me the “The Standard” and the importance of never bowing down to challenges or lowering my own standards in the face of adversity. I have made a career out of making tiny adjustments to past data in pursuit of creating a new and successful future within healthcare – something that’s hard not to correlate back to the lessons directly learned under your coaching…

Thank you for the nostalgic read. I wish you the best with your manuscript. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything else. I look forward to buying a copy of your book once published.

Ashley C. Erickson
aka – Ace
Head of Global Events
Chipotle Mexican Grill

Yes, I have started it. My work has been a little insane lately, so I planned to #nish it when I have some time off the week after next. But I am over halfway through the pages you sent my way and very impressed. I’ve been using the idea of “Winning the Inning” as I am moving through a hectic time at work, so thank you. 🙂

I’ll finish it up in the next couple of weeks, but lovely job. I’m confident it will resonate with many in the sports world, and in life.

Hillary “Freeman” Kinnison
aka – Hills

Wow, what a blast from the past. These memories made me tear up, especially as I read the chapter about Dani saying she may not be able to have kids…because I was sitting in the parking lot during soccer practice where her daughter and mine are on the same team. God is good…

Thank you for allowing me to read this and remember such a significant time in my life. I’m afraid my mom-brain has wiped out too many memories, so I’m thankful you kept such great notes.

Please let me know when this goes to print so I can purchase a copy for my parents.

Danielle “Orrick” Raccuglia
aka – Dani

The Manuscript was so great. I love the connection to God. My struggles throughout life have made me trust in Him and handle each “episode” by knowing that He is with me. It honestly has made me appreciate the struggles I’ve had because I would not be the person, wife, mother, daughter, teacher, etc. I am without those challenges.

All those seasons and having you as my coach that continued to push me despite my health issues made me a stronger person, and I have always looked back with great gratitude for you.

I still remember that practice when we skipped those laps, and we paid for it. I have always wanted to write a book about my life including the struggles I’ve had post high school (using a surrogate to have my daughter, going blind in one eye just to name a few), so it was emotional and powerful to read it from someone else’s viewpoint. Thank you for including me in this moving manuscript and I hope I see it on my bookshelf someday soon.

Casey (Reiff) Striegel

I am married to my husband Matt with two kids, Andie 13 and Kane 10. Both are actively involved in sports. Softball and baseball being at the top of the list. I am an Assistant Coach for Andie‘s club team. She plays in the 12A/B Division. Coaching is not for the faint of heart.
In my professional life,

I am in Sales Leadership for a cyber security consulting firm. I take a lot of what I’ve learned as an athlete, playing at a high level with some pretty intense coaches, and apply it to my personal and professional life every day.

Coach, thank you for offering me an early read into this book. I honestly had forgotten about some of these stories from my senior year. Of course, the accident is something that I still think about, to this day. And as my children get older, my daughter is now practicing on the BVHS Softball Field. In fact, she had a practice there today – very surreal. The field is a constant reminder. In addition, there is a 2-4-12 Plaque on the brick shed next to the fields. For 8 to 9 months out of the year, I see it weekly.

I appreciate how you explain Standards. I take this into my life, with my kids, and into business as well. Taking sports mentality into life – GOAL = EXCEED the STANDARDS.

The honesty piece is a reminder for me in leadership. Being honest with somebody is the best thing you can do. It’s hard to do but in the end it helps both parties.

Thank you for sharing with me… and thank you for all of the kind words! The Book takes me back to an awesome time in life playing ball and having fun! Thank you for having me be a part of your story.

PS: I bought a small wiffle ball machine for my kids to use this past Christmas. I keep saying to them – “We used this back when I was playing!” (Insert kid eyeroll here.)