VYPE Magazine editor Brad Heath and Charles Page High School Athletic Director Rod Sitton took some time away from their busy schedules to discuss the new school year, what it means to be a Sandite, and what the student-athletes in Sand Springs can expect under his leadership.
VYPE: Where did you get your start coaching and where did you graduate from high school and college?
Sitton: I graduated from Pryor High School and the University of Tennessee. I started coaching in Broken Arrow, coaching football and baseball.
VYPE: This is a strange time with unusual circumstances, how do you feel the COVID response by your coaches and staff has been and how ready is everyone to get back into a more normal routine?
Sitton: Our coaches did such an outstanding job dealing with things COVID threw at us. After the initial couple of weeks of school, everyone had their routine and made things as stress free as possible for the athletes. We are definitely ready to be back in front of full capacity crowds. Not to mention just a normal daily routine that will allow kids to be kids.
VYPE: What is the message to the student-athletes at Charles Page under your guidance and leadership?
Sitton: At Charles Page we try to have a two-sided theme: 1. You can do anything and go anywhere in life from Sand Springs. Hard work and dedication are the avenues we talk about from the time they enter the eighth grade. We try to introduce them to behavior patterns that will help them be successful in all parts of their life, not just in athletics. 2. We put a large emphasis on servant leadership. It is important to help others while on your life journey, making the community and world a better place.
VYPE: Do you have a coaching/teaching mentor? Someone you have looked up to or call on for advice?
Sitton: I had a number of great influences while growing in this profession. My biggest influence from my youth would be Dr. Bill Defee. He was my football and baseball coach until my senior year in high school. He had a no nonsense, get it done approach that didn’t waver. There was only one way to do things and that was the right way. Regardless of the time and effort it took. As far as an athletic director’s influence, I would say that Ed Garrett has played a pivotal role in developing how I do things. Ed was the AD here for many years before I replaced him when he retired. I talk to him regularly both for guidance and to “keep him in the loop.” Additionally, I would say the other AD’s in the Frontier Conference have been a tremendous help.
VYPE: Let’s give the Sandite nation a chance to get to know you a little better. Where is your favorite place for lunch or dinner if you’re eating out?
Sitton: Lunch would be Panda Express. Any other time would be Freddie’s Steak House.
VYPE: Do you have any hobbies?
Sitton: I love to Crappie fish. I hadn’t fished for almost 30 years until about four years ago. I realized at that time that golf was too frustrating to have as a retirement hobby, so I bought a boat and started crappie fishing. Turns out that my whole family loves it too.
VYPE: Favorite sports team, college or pro?
Sitton: I am a diehard Tennessee Volunteer. It’s been tough for the last few years, but I have hung in there.
VYPE: Your favorite sports movie?
Sitton: Miracle. I’m old enough to remember watching the U.S. Hockey team win the Olympic gold medal despite being huge underdogs.
VYPE: First concert you attended?
Sitton: Bon Jovi.
VYPE: Have you ever visited another country? If so, where?
Sitton: My son and I went to Costa Rica on a surfing trip to celebrate his high school graduation.
VYPE: Tell me what you have come to love most about Sand Springs, your athletes and where is the future of the program headed?
Sitton: Sand Springs is a big school with a small school feel. The community support is second to none here. Also, we have a saying “The Sandite Way.” It refers to the attitude and work ethic that is evident everywhere. We are not a super affluent district and at times we have to take on tasks ourselves to get them done. Everyone roles up their sleeves and pitches in, the kids, the parents, the coaching staff. All the way up to Superintendent Durkee and her staff. Our local Ministerial Alliance is also great in helping us when we need things done. This whole school district and community is the best example of servant leadership I can think of.
VYPE: Any parting words?
Sitton: I am so excited about the direction that our staff are leading their respective teams. I see the athletes growing in all areas of their lives, not just in athletics. That is a direct result of the conscious effort of our staff to coach in a positive manner. Kids are going to make mistakes but how we react to those mistakes is what makes the difference.
