AUTHOR & COACH RONNIE GAGE MEETS WITH MEDIA DURING NRB 2021 CONVENTION AT OPRYLAND HOTEL IN GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
/Coach Gage Recently Recognized as One of Texas High School Football's Top 100 Coaches of the Past 100 Years
Coach Ronnie Gage, one of the winningest high school football coaches in Texas history, recently attended the National Religious Broadcasters Convention (NRB 2021) in Grapevine, Texas. During the convention, Coach Gage met with media and industry leaders, about his critically acclaimed book, The Life Coach. Pictured (L to R): Coach Ronnie Gage and Bill Martinez. (Photo: Stephanie Gage)
GRAPEVINE, Texas. (July 13, 2021) - Coach Ronnie Gage, recently named one of the winningest high school football coaches in 100 years of Texas history, attended the National Religious Broadcasters Convention (NRB 2021) in Grapevine, Texas, to represent his critically acclaimed book, The Life Coach: Small-Town Lessons on Faith, Family, and Football, which he co-wrote with author, motivational speaker, and NCAA record holder, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II and Alice Sullivan.
During the convention, Coach Gage met with many media and industry leaders, including KSBJ's Sunday Night Live with host Kim Weir, Bill Martinez Live!, World Christian Broadcasting, MRG Media, and The Build Different Podcast with Zach Clinton, among others.
“I really enjoyed the day at the NRB 2021 convention at the Gaylord in Grapevine, Texas," says Coach Gage. "I had a great opportunity to network with colleagues and media—these professional and congenial people made the day a pleasure."
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) and highly respected Texas football publication Dave Campbell’s Texas Football (DCTF) recently honored Coach Gage among the best, the brightest, and the most unforgettable icons and legends in Texas football's illustrious history.
Coach Gage is cited 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!”
Many of Coach Gage’s exploits and leadership philosophies have been captured in The Life Coach. 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, The Meeting House on Faith Radio, and many more.
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.
"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.”
One of the winningest high school football coaches in the state of Texas, Ronnie Gage offers a wealth of insight to leaders and managers in his new book, The Life Coach. (Sloan Photography)
About Coach Ronnie Gage:
A Texas football legend, Coach 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, Coach Gage 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.
Coach 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 Colleg
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. Thompson 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 National Religious Broadcasters Convention & Exposition (NRB 2021):
The annual National Religious Broadcasters Convention & Exposition (NRB) is the largest nationally and internationally recognized event dedicated solely to assisting those in the field of Christian communications. The dynamic exposition consists of nearly 200 companies and is an active marketplace for those seeking tools and services to expand their ministries. The NRB 2021 Christian Media Convention was held June 21-24 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. For more information, visit nrb.org.
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