March 9, 2009

PIGEON FORGE - Carson-Newman held its 20th annual Championship Coaches Football Clinic over the weekend at the at the Music Road Hotel and Inn.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and former University of Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer highlighted the event, with such other speakers as renowed motivational speaker Farris Jordan and Maryville High School head football coach George Quarels.

The clinic brought together coaches from all levels of football, from high school on up, as well as their wives, for not only a weekend of "X's and O's talk", but of spiritual, interpersonal and relationship learning.

"There is a lot more to it that just football," said Carson-Newman head coach Ken Sparks. "There are sessions for the wives, and sessions for the husbands and wives. We talk a whole lot about the phases of life. It's not just about football, though football teaches a lot about life lessons."

Tressel spent 20 minutes speaking to both the coaches and their wives Friday night. The ladies then broke off into their own session, and Tressel spent the next hour or so with the coaches for more of a "football talk".

"For a number of years, Ken and I have talked about having t

he chance to be here, and it's always weighed on my mind (that) we've got to find a way to do that," Tressel said. "I wasn't exactly sure why, other than that I love the concept of it, (and that) I'm so excited about the ministry that (coach Sparks) has in his own program and the game."

Fulmer, who like Sparks is a former president of the American Football Coaches Association, headlined Saturday's lineup.

The Carson-Newman coaching staff also spoke throughout the weekend, including offensive coordinator Mike Turner and defensive coordinator Jim Deaton.