Helping others and seeing them grow and achieve brings me the most joy.<br>I love my family and I would do anything for my 2 girls. He is from KS. In 1985, Saunders donated a new track and field facility (Saunders Track) to Downs High School, replacing what was previously a dirt path with a regulation track. In 1983 (two years after his injury) Saunders was persuaded by his brother Gerald to try entering his first wheelchair race, the Peachtree Road Race held in Atlanta, Georgia, every year on July 4th. Later, Coach Snyder asked if Id be interested in staying on as motivational coach for the team, says Kevin. At the 1992 Paralympic Games Trials in Salt Lake City, Utah, Saunders broke the pentathlon world record, simultaneously setting a new Paralympic record. However, he noticed that the wheelchairs he was using werent always up for what he wanted to do, and other competitors were taking the track in more specialized wheelchairs. In 1995, Saunders was named a Top 100 Motivational Speaker, alongside notable people Donald Trump and Katie Couric. But rather than remain miserable, Kevin did what he now teaches audiences around the world to do he decided to keep moving forward. Southampton and Poole Pirates fan Kefaloniaman23 - @KevinSaunders23 loves anything related to Marilyn Monroe. I know him, matt and their sister and 2 of the 3 are good peoplesome may like him and that's fine cause I'm sure people like himbut to each their own, He is a winner,he expects boys to be men or on there way to being a man, did he cures-yes, grab a kid by the facemask-yes, did he let little johnny's parent tell him "little johnny should play because I GAVE THE PROGRAM $$$$, ---NO.HE is better suited for kids that have seen a lot worse than a coach raising his voice at practice.I would dare to say that if JJ KELLY or CENTRAL would have kept SAUNDERS that they may have had a ring or two. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. May 19, 2021 in SWVA Football. This will be another vacancy in our coverage area;as Woodstock, Dalton, and South Cobb have all parted ways with their former coaches. Saunders compiled a 411-326 record in 10 1/2 seasons on the Wolves' bench, coaching a Kevin Garnett-led team to eight straight playoff berths the only eight postseason trips in franchise . Without any hesitation, Coach Snyder brought their attention to us and announced: You all know who this is because you have already heard me speak about Kevin. In 1994, Saunders became the only person to be reappointed to the council by President Bill Clinton. 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. [1] At the 1992 Paralympic Games Trials in Salt Lake City, Utah, Saunders broke the pentathlon world record, simultaneously setting a new Paralympic record. That has to be well over 6 figures in worth. 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. He was the first person with a disability appointed to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, and remains the only person to serve two consecutive terms under different administrations, first under President George H. W. Bush, and later reappointed by President Bill Clinton. His injuries included a fractured skull, collapsed lungs, shattered scapulas, various internal and external injuries and a severed spine at (T5). Timberwolves' Ryan Saunders Is Stepping Out of His Father's Shadow. old school is a rare find these days, always appreciated like a breath of fresh air. I couldnt imagine a better treat. Many others suffered severe, life-altering injuries requiring extended hospitalization. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders wants to be treated like Alabama coach and six-time national champion Nick Saban. Saunders attended college on athletic scholarships for football, track and field, and soccer. Saunders attended college on athletic scholarships for football, track and field, and soccer. They are interviewing next week for the Richlands job. 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 would spend nearly a year in the hospital and in rehabilitation, before being released in a wheelchair, completely paralyzed from the chest down. Gilmer will be looking for their 4th coach in 6 years. But rather than remain miserable, Kevin did what he now teaches audiences around the world to do he decided to keep moving forward. Tune in to 101.1 FM WLJA for Braves Baseball all season long! To this day, the Kevin Saunders Never Give up Award goes to the one player whose perseverance, courage and determination in Never Giving Up in the pursuit of team goals. Because all ambulances on the scene were occupied by other survivors, Saunders was placed into a station wagon and driven to Corpus Christi Memorial Hospital. 320 Jackson Hill St. #164 The grain elevator's silos (14-stories tall, 40ft in diameter with reinforced walls up to 3ft thick) were destroyed in seconds. He has also been featured in over 50 TV commercials promoting safety, fitness, education, sports and wellness. Saunders attended college on athletic scholarships for football, track and field, and soccer. When he opened it, there were over a hundred young players facing us on the other side. In 1989, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole nominated Saunders to serve on the Presidents Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN). Free Meals, Free Booze Hell, I think you can even have a funeral for free with that card. Saunders became a motivational speaker and consultant in 1984, shortly after winning the bronze medal at the USATF Championships in Johnson City, Tennessee. 4h Kevin Seifert. Email. safety hazards at the Corpus Christi Public Grain Elevator, reappointed to the Council by President Bill Clinton. Though untrained in the discipline and lacking proper material, he participated, and this led to his entering competitions, finding success at the regional, and then national levels. Discover Kevin Saunders's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. 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. #164 Houston, TX 77007 Motivational keynote Speaker on Safety, Peak Performance, Fitness and. In 1995, Saunders was recognized as Distinguished Alumnus from Kansas State University College of Agriculture. Many of the award winners have gone on to professional NFL careers, including placekicker Martin Gramtica, a member of the 2002 Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 2001-02 Pro Bowl starter. Paramedics found Saunders over 300 ft away, a crumpled mass lying in a pool of blood on a concrete parking lot. Id always loved football, playing both offense and defense in high school and offense in college and still followed the college game closely., Kevin arrived at the stadium, ready to watch the game and enjoy the game. His body was broken over at the chest like most people bend at the waist when they bend to touch their toes. Box 1076 Email: kevin@kevinsaunders.com. Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders speaks at the 2022 SWAC Football Media Day at the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 21, 2022. They went on to win that game. All Rights Reserved. Kevin Saunders Motivational Speaker | Motivational Coach | Author at Saunders & Associates Speaking Published Oct 14, 2017 + Follow Growing up on a farm in the Midwest, I was raised in a. Doctors gave him less than 1% chance of survival. Head Coach. Kevin Saunders often screamed harshly at his players and often had them crying. Kevin Saunders (born December 8, 1955, in Smith Center, Kansas) is an American Paralympian, author, public speaker and athlete Saunders was the first person from the state of Kansas to make the Paralympic Team USA and also the first Kansan to medal at the 1988 Paralympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. He won every race he competed in at the National Wheelchair Games, including distances from 100m to 5,000m. Join Facebook to connect with Kevin Saunders and others you may know. American Paralympian, Author & Motivational Speaker From tragedy to triumph, Kevin Saunders has risen to become one of the world's greatest wheelchair athletes and top inspirational speaker and motivational coaches today. A searching essay appraising the man and the football wizard whose sudden death shocked the sports world. April 15, 2023 3:47 pm ET. Doctors gave him less than 1% chance of survival. My brother was working on a construction project close to the JJK practice field back when Saunders was there. The suspended grain dust particles instantly ignited, producing a series of powerful explosions that ripped through the facility at a speed calculated by experts at Texas A&M University to be in excess of 1,082 ft per second. Receive no obligation help from us today. Kevin Saunders's net worth Everybody wants their son to play for Bobby Knight until theson becomesthe next Neil Reed! Saunders was one of just 20 individuals chosen to serve on the PCFSN during the Bush Administration (1989-1993). [20], Saunders continued to promote health and fitness after the PCFSN, serving as an International Ambassador for Health, Fitness and Proper Nutrition. [15] Despite the early setback, however, he enjoyed this new sport and made a decision that he would become a better wheelchair athlete. Saunders was one of just 20 individuals chosen to serve on the PCFSN during the Bush Administration (1989-1993). . His two siblings were much older, with Gerald, the eldest, graduating from college while Kevin was still an infant. Athletically, he won hundreds of gold medals and earned the title of the greatest all-around wheelchair athlete in the world. And that success was only the beginning. If you walked into your place of work today and your superior told you you sucked and proceeded to cuss you out so you would be motivated to work hard that day is that considered old school? He served as the head football coach at Millsaps College from 2003 to 2005 and Pearl River Community College in 2016. All that means is that x was oncesuccessful in a certain time and place, but is unable to adapt. Saunders has also been recognized among Kansas State's 30 most famous alumni.[5]. As the explosion garnered national news coverage, doctors worked to first stabilize Saunders condition, and then to begin treating some of the injuries. David Saunders was born on 6 April, 1958 in Douglasville, Georgia, United States, is an American football coach and educator. Graham served as spiritual counsel to the president, and the two men spent an hour talking and in prayer. To know more, please view our, https://www.oklahomaspeakers.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/Motivational-Coach-K--State-Football-Team-Kevin-Saunders-giv1.mp4, https://www.oklahomaspeakers.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/Kevin-Saunders-The-Wildcat-Way.mp4, https://www.oklahomaspeakers.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/Kevin-Saundersa-top-Motivational-safety-Speaker-talks-about.mp4, https://www.oklahomaspeakers.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/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. To Marilyn Monroe timberwolves & # x27 ; Ryan Saunders is Stepping Out of his Father & x27. Jjk practice field kevin saunders football coach when Saunders was there - @ KevinSaunders23 loves anything related to Marilyn Monroe looking for 4th. 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