AUTHOR & COACH RONNIE GAGE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL’S TOP COACHES OF THE PAST 100 YEARS
/Coach Gage Honored by University Interscholastic League and Highly Respected Texas Football Publication Dave Campbell’s Texas Football
Coach Ronnie Gage, one of the winningest high school football coaches in the state of Texas and co-author of the critically acclaimed book, The Life Coach, has been honored by the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and highly respected Texas football publication Dave Campbell’s Texas Football (DCTF) as one of the top 100 best, brightest, and most unforgettable icons and legends in the sport’s illustrious history. (Photo: Sloan Photography)
AUSTIN, Texas. (February 24, 2021) - In celebration of 100 years of Texas high school football, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and highly respected Texas football publication Dave Campbell’s Texas Football (DCTF) have teamed up to honor the best, the brightest, and the most unforgettable icons and legends in the sport’s illustrious history.
With the help of some of the state’s foremost sports experts and historians, UIL and DCTF are honoring 100 of the greatest high school football players, 100 of the finest teams, 100 of the most fabled Texas high school football rivalries, 100 of the most memorable games in UIL history, and 100 of the sport’s top coaches.
Included in that celebrated list is author, motivational speaker, and respected high school football coach Ronnie Gage, one of the winningest high school football coaches in the state of Texas.
Coach Gage is honored for his 26 years of coaching, during which time he compiled a 187-107-8 record on his way to winning seven District Championships and two State Championships. UIL and DCTF also note that Coach Gage was recognized as the Texas Sportswriters Association’s Coach of the Year in 1993 and again in 1996, in addition to his being selected for the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor.
“Whenever you receive an award or recognition for your accomplishments, it is a reflection of the people who surrounded you,” says Coach Gage. “I have been blessed to work with great coaches, and have a supportive family, great kids, and wonderful friends. I am honored to have my name associated with so many prestigious coaches. I am extremely proud to carry the title of coach!”
"I'm proud of my dad!," says Coach Ronnie Gage's son, James Gage, the head football coach and assistant athletic director at Alvin High School in Alvin, Texas. "The wins & state championships are special, but the impact he had on Texas football and coaches are what makes his career special. He's an unbelievable coach, but a true mentor to kids. He always preached doing things right and that it's okay to be the good guy!"
Many of Coach Gage’s exploits and leadership philosophies have been captured in The Life Coach: Small-Town Lessons on Faith, Family, and Football, which Coach Gage co-wrote with author, motivational speaker, and NCAA record holder, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II and Alice Sullivan.
The book — part inspirational memoir, part Texas football history, and part motivational guide for leaders — has been praised by such influential media outlets as Cornerstone TV's flagship show, Hope Today, Inspiration.org, CBN.com, Bill Martinez Live!, The Meeting House on Faith Radio, World Christian Broadcasting, and many more. This week, Coach Gage discusses the book in an interview with Jayme Hull, the host of Face to Face Mentoring Podcast, available on iTunes, iHeartRADIO, and Stitcher. To listen to the interview, click here.
"Coach Gage has an inspirational story that encourages adults to make a difference and mentor the next generation. I'm grateful for godly coaches like Coach Gage who share their stories and equip others with the tips and tools needed to succeed in life," says Hull.
The Life Coach released on October 1, 2019, from Clovercroft Publishing, and is distributed to the trade by Ingram Content Group, the world's largest distributor of printed content.
For more information on Coach Gage, Dr. Thompson, and The Life Coach, visit 91kick.com, or follow on Facebook (facebook.com/91kick or facebook.com/The-Life-Coach-109739473832583/), Instagram (instagram.com/91kick), or Twitter (@91kick or @RonnieRgage).
One of the winningest high school football coaches in the state of Texas, Coach Ronnie Gage offers a wealth of insight to leaders and managers in his book, The Life Coach, co-written with Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II and Alice Sullivan. (Cover image courtesy of Clovercroft Publishing)
About The Life Coach:
On November 14, 2009, Coach Ronnie Gage, then the head football coach at Austin College, watched from the sidelines as Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II kicked his way into the record books. At 61, Thompson became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point when he kicked the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University. While that kick made history, and put tiny Austin College on the sports media map, the event was never designed to be a publicity stunt. In fact, Coach Gage didn’t even like Thompson at first, and assumed he was “a wacko with an agenda” for wanting to play college football at 60. But as the season wore on, Coach Gage realized Thompson’s heart was in the right place.
“We didn’t really develop a relationship until after the season was over,” says Thompson. “I didn’t presume because we were close in age that I could engage him in any topic other than football.
One of the winningest high school football coaches in the state of Texas, Coach Ronnie Gage offers a wealth of insight to leaders and managers in his book, The Life Coach, co-written with Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II and Alice Sullivan. (Cover image courtesy of Clovercroft Publishing)
"The man is a legend in Texas football history, and it was important to me that my teammates see me treat him with the respect he deserved," Thompson continues. "He told me flat out that he was not giving me any special treatment. And I appreciated that. But I knew when I first got to know Coach Gage that we would do some things together.”
The Life Coach is the first result of their “post-kick” collaborations. A combination of sports memoir and inspirational leadership manual, The Life Coach delves into how to juggle the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of everyday life. “Coach Gage is a quiet, humble guy, and his faith has been a big part of his life,” Thompson explains. “He’s gone through some of the worst things that life can throw at you, including the loss of his daughter to a brain tumor, and is still able to cling to the goodness of God.”
About Coach Ronnie Gage:
A Texas football legend, Ronnie Gage coached football in Texas for 42 years before retiring, compiling one of the most enviable winning records in state history. His accolades include three high school championship rings--two as a coach and one as an athletic director. He was the first coach in Texas to win a championship at the 5-A level in both division 1 and division 2. He was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association's Hall of Honor. He served as president of the Texas High School Coaches Association, an organization of over 18,000 members. He served on the board of directors and was selected to serve on the advisory board of the THSCA.
In 2004, Ronnie was chosen Citizen of The Year for Lewisville, TX. He was voted District Coach of the Year seven times, Texas Sportswriters Coach of the Year two times, and Dallas All Sports Association Coach of the Year two times.
He had his 1996 team recognized on a Cheerios Box and was chosen by Fox Sports as the Coach Who Makes a Difference in 1999. In 2017, he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in his hometown of Decatur, TX.
Coach Gage coached the Austin College football team from 2006 to 2009 and coached the 61-year-old placekicker Tom Thompson, who set two NCAA records.
Over 40 players who have played for Coach Gage are in the coaching profession today, including his son James and daughter Julianne, who are both teaching/coaching. He has been married to his high school sweetheart Stephanie for 43 years.
Ronnie Gage offers a wealth of insight to coaches, teachers, family members, or any professionals who aspire to be in a leadership role in his inspirational and motivational memoir, The Life Coach, co-written with author, professor, researcher, motivational speaker, coach and NCAA record holder, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, and Alice Sullivan. The Life Coach offers readers sound life and leadership principles based on the individual effort and team-first mentality required for a successful football season—and a successful life.
NCAA record holder, author, motivational speaker, and respected researcher, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II's latest book, The Life Coach, is a collaboration with former Austin College football coach Ronnie Gage and Alice Sullivan. (Photo: Roark Photography)
About Tom Thompson:
Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, D.S.L., M.S., M.A., entered the health and fitness industry after a 20-year career in commercial real estate. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from LeTourneau University, a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, a Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree from Regent University, and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Austin College.
A former Board of Advisors member of the American Council on Martial Arts, Thompson is an American-born Tae Kwon Do grandmaster, holding the rank of 9th degree black belt. Thompson is also the Brand Ambassador for Evil Cowboy Hot Sauce, an heirloom Texas hot sauce company.
On November 14, 2009, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II kicked his way into the record books. At age 61, he became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point when he kicked the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University.
Thompson wrote his name in the record books, then went on to literally write the book on motivation for older adults who are approaching their golden years, as well as anyone seeking a career change, to seize their future with both hands. Thompson detailed his remarkable accomplishments in his motivational and autobiographical book, Kick Start: A Story of Overcoming Life's Obstacles to Inspire You to Kick Start Your Future, which he co-wrote with Alice Sullivan (Carpenter's Son Publishing), and Get a Kick Out of Life: Expect the Best of Your Body, Mind, and Soul at Any Age, co-written with Christopher P. Neck, (Mastering Self Leadership), along with Alice Sullivan (Kick Start).
Thompson, who is an active researcher in the fields of motivation and change, has also co-authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, as well as the book Fit To Lead: The Proven 8-Week Solution for Shaping Up Your Body, Your Mind, and Your Career (St. Martin's Press), which he co-authored with Christopher P. Neck and Charles C. Manz (respected pioneers in the field of self-leadership, and co-authors of Mastering Self Leadership: Empowering Yourself for Personal Excellence) and Tedd L. Mitchell (Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, former CEO of the Cooper Clinic, and former health editor for USA Weekend).
Thompson’s newest book is The Life Coach, which he co-authored with Texas football coaching legend, Ronnie Gage. The new book released from Clovercroft Publishing on October 1, 2019 ($12.99) and is distributed to the trade by Ingram Content Group, the world's largest distributor of printed content.
About The University Interscholastic League:
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) was created by The University of Texas at Austin to provide leadership and guidance to public school debate and athletic teachers. Since 1910, the UIL has grown into the largest inter-school organization of its kind in the world. The UIL continues to operate as part of the University of Texas, under the auspices of the Vice President for Diversity & Community Engagement.
The UIL exists to provide educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests. The initials UIL have come to represent quality educational competition administered by school people on an equitable basis. For more information, visit uiltexas.org.
About Dave Campbell’s Texas Football:
For nearly 60 years, the highly respected Texas football publication Dave Campbell’s Texas Football (DCTF) has been “the bible” to millions of football fans across the Lone Star State. The annual summer edition of the magazine remains a rite of passage for all Texans, previewing every football team in the state — from the rabid world of Texas high school football, through the college ranks, and into the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. Over the course of six decades, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football remains the undisputed leader in Texas high school football, Texas college football, and more. For more information, visit TexasFootball.com.
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