Middle school and high school coaches often balanced more than one job between coaching and teaching. This couldn’t be more true for Head Baseball Coach Ryan Phillips, who not only coached baseball but taught five Fundamentals of Technology classes, as well as served as an advisor in the Oklahoma Business Professionals of America (BPA). Phillips’ schedule was busy, including weights in the morning, teaching through the day, and baseball in the afternoon.
“I think naturally as a coach, being organized is one of the things I really strive to do,” Phillips said. “Teacher is my first job. I don’t get to coach without being a teacher, so organization is really the only way you can balance all three of them.”
Phillips was an advisor for the Oklahoma Business Professionals of America. Members of BPA prepared for a career in fast-paced business environments, including business administration, finance, human resources, graphic and web design, and more.
“BPA is a club, we have members and those are students, and we take them to different activities, different field trips, and they also go against BPA members at different schools,” Phillips said.
The Yukon Millers varsity baseball team made the 2023 state division 6A championship tournament. The team won against Stillwater 3-1 in the quarterfinal round but lost to Enid 11-6 in the semifinal round. The team’s overall record was 28-13.
“When you have a group of seniors and juniors and sophomores that are all going for one goal, it puts you in a better position to have that opportunity,” Phillips said. “I think they’re excited because a lot of them, this is the first time they’ve been. The excitement of the unknown and then also get a chance to go win a state championship.”
Phillips positively impacted his players and students both as a coach and as a teacher. He and the baseball coaching staff put effort into helping students play their best and have had positive interactions in return.
“Coach Phillips has really pushed me as a player by teaching me new ways to do things and how to be successful,” sophomore baseball player Wyatt Ruzicka said. ”(The best part about Coach Phillips is) his confidence as a coach and knowing the right calls to make.”