Pressure changes how we move, think, and lead—and sometimes it reveals exactly who we are. Coach and teacher Steven Norgrove joins us to explore how high school sports forged his leadership, shaped his view of winning, and built bonds that still anchor his life and coaching today. From sinking two free throws with one second left to fulfilling a promise to hit a home run for his mom after her cancer diagnosis, Steven unpacks the moments that define resilience and the preparation that makes “luck” show up on cue.

We dig into the craft of leadership on and off the court: when to set the tone from the front and when to lead by following. Steven explains why the team must outrank the individual, how athletes can “lose without being a loser,” and what real sportsmanship looks like when parents and pressure get loud. He makes a strong case for ditching superstition in favor of sleep, nutrition, and film—because consistency beats rituals every time. We also track his path from player to a 32-year coaching career, including his work with Michigan’s Basketball Coaches Association and the push to expand the high school schedule from 20 to 22 games.

Today’s athletes ask “why,” and Steven welcomes it. He shares practical ways coaches can earn buy-in—clear purpose, empathy, and honest standards that help five players move as one. The takeaway is simple and hard: growth over ego, habits over hype, and being the teammate people remember for how you made them feel. If you care about youth sports, character, and the kind of leadership that lasts longer than any scoreboard, this conversation is for you.

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FHSTheFlash.com is the outlet for the voices of students at Fraser High School, Fraser, Michigan

What if the most important thing you took from high school sports wasn’t a banner, but a blueprint for life? We sit down with Principal Ryan Sines to trace the real arc of an athlete—from freshman underdog playing up with seniors to a leader whose voice carries beyond the locker room. The story moves through quiet bus rides, tight huddles, and the steady rituals that make big moments feel manageable, including a pregame soundtrack that traveled from cassette to CD and a Friday breakfast tradition that turned nerves into focus.

Ryan unpacks the skills that outlast any season: how to earn trust when you’re smaller or newer, how to keep your head down and do your role well, and how to prove yourself through action instead of talk. We dig into the camaraderie that forms across years of shared practices and games, and how rival schools can become unexpected communities built on mutual respect. The conversation also shines a light on mentors—like a beloved coach whose impact was so profound the Michigan coaching staff attended his funeral—showing how great leaders shape character, not just playbooks.

We challenge the win-at-all-costs myth by asking what losing really teaches. Ryan explains why complacency creeps in during streaks, how a single loss can reset standards, and why effort is the only metric you fully control. He also shares why he chose not to play in college, redirecting competitive drive into education and coaching, and how that decision opened space to support his own kids and students. If you care about youth development, team culture, or the lasting value of sports, this conversation offers practical insights and heartfelt stories you’ll carry into your next practice, classroom, or workplace.

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FHSTheFlash.com is the outlet for the voices of students at Fraser High School, Fraser, Michigan

A single point can change a season—and shape a life. We sit down with Coach Matt Fishburn, Fraser High School alum, teacher, and longtime coach, to trace how high school sports became the foundation for his career, his values, and the way he leads young athletes today. From multi-sport seasons to a last-second 7–6 playoff heartbreak, Matt opens up about the wins that thrilled him, the losses that taught him more, and the mentors who nudged him toward teaching and coaching.

You’ll hear how football, baseball, and basketball forged discipline, time management, and teamwork in the chaos of teenage schedules. Matt explains why he still believes rituals matter—yes, the same socks on a streak—and how those routines calm the mind when pressure spikes. We dig into his Wayne State years as a four-year starting kicker, the records he set, and the meticulous craft behind consistent performance. Most of all, Matt shares how his priorities shifted: winning still matters, but the true goal is using sport to teach the game of life.

Expect candid stories about staying connected with former coaches, the tight Fraser community that keeps teammates close long after graduation, and what decades on the sideline have taught him about character, resilience, and growth. If you care about youth development, coaching philosophy, or the lasting impact of high school athletics, this conversation is a blueprint for turning competition into life skills.

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FHSTheFlash.com is the outlet for the voices of students at Fraser High School, Fraser, Michigan