1-on-1 with DP – 93.7 The Ticket KNTK - Jon Squier (father of Abbie Squier): May 16th, 10am

Episode Date: May 16, 2022

Feelings over the weekendBig Ten ChampionsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's time to go one-on-one with D.P. Coming at you live from the Coppull Chevrolet GMC Studios, here is your host, Derek Pearson, presented by Beatrice Bakery on 93-7 The Ticket and the Ticketfm.com. Welcome to one-on-one. The bridge between old school and one-on-one is just the greatest Eurovision party. Oh, my God. That you can possibly have that shit. It's fantastic. Like, I don't even know what, what this thing is that we were watching.

But so John Squire stays to sit there. We'll get to you in a second. Look, I'm sorry, John. You're going to have to wait. Bratiozegger, again, 424, 4, 6, 4, 685. Sar to Hamid text on Hano League and Hotline. We're live. The streaming is good on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and now Twitter.

The Twitter. We'll play it and we'll go into the greater detail with after, like in the second segment. But I don't even understand. Like, it's almost like they decided to have a show of music where the lyrics were made up right before the show. Why did nobody tell me that Europe had the best collection of musically talented individuals in the world? I did. No idea. So we'll tell you what.

Let's let's get to John. And then we'll be sure. Yeah. I, because if we start on this, John is just. just his head's going to explode. Look, I'm sorry. John's, John's badden lead off for Eurovision.

So. No pressure, John, but you got to get on base. John, I'm just telling you, it is the weirdest, most nonsensical thing I've ever seen. And I don't know how to process it. So in the meanwhile,

let's bring him in. Husker dad, former Husker himself, dad of Abby Squire of the big 10 champion, Husker softball team. Abby had quite the weekend. Kind, sir, how are you, have your feet touched the ground yet? Feet have not touched the ground yet.

I'm kind of exhausted, to be honest, and I couldn't be more proud of this team, the players and the coaches and everybody else. It's just been incredible. John, this was forecasted, right? Like we identified this early on that something was different about this group and this team and the way that the coaching staff was handling them. Even as the season started, we sat and said, you know what, this is a special group and we identified this in week one. Yeah, you guys, you're exactly right.

You know, we've all been around teams, you know, a lot, our whole lives, you especially. And, you know, when you have a group of kids and coaches that way prior to the season starting said, we want more. We just want more for this team and this program. And they were willing to sacrifice their time, energy. They were willing to have really tough conversations with each other, all out of love, you know, for each other. And then they were able to all check their eagerness. and what happened, what emerged was just a real love for each other. And I really think that is a, we don't talk about it enough in sports,

but that is what has been the fuel for this team. What, that fuel thing, what needed to happen for this team to gel and become as connected and as united as it, as it did? You know, I think a lot of it had to do with putting, you know, personal goals on the back burner. And saying, look, we are about us and not me. I mean, their big motto for the year is, I am me because of we. And that kind of emerged from the summer conversations. from what I've heard.

And then, you know, I think the season started in Iowa at that indoor tournament. And I do think that they knew they had a good team. They knew they'd done the work. But there was some fear of failure. Like, you know, it was put in so much work. We just don't want it to go south. And it took a while, I think, for them to get comfortable with, you know, as a team.

John, as a parent, as former athlete as a parent, and you are connected to her journey, you know how much work was put in, you made sacrifices, time sacrifices, emotional sacrifices along the way. Is that common, is that the common thread for all the parents of players on this roster? It is on this team. And you know what? What's special about it is, I, the parents find, you. as much joy in any of the kids on a team having success as they do their own.

And I think that selflessness became a reality. And I do think the kids felt that also. And there was no backfighting of the coaches' decisions or how they do this or how they do that or this player should be playing and that one shouldn't be or none of it, none of it. And, you know, I think there is just so much joy to be found when that is a culture on the team. And I don't know that that's been the case the last few years. So through turmoil and through friction, I always say that greatness requires friction. And people don't always understand that.

But friction is required to remove some of the things that will impure. your greatness. Right. And you have to go through things in order to appreciate the good things in place. It's absolutely necessary. So this team went through the early run. They had good success, but not great success earlier this season. And then let's go through.

Is it first identifying that defense wins championships? Yeah, I think that was a big part of it. I also think this team has a special group. of upper-class leadership, and their connection with the coaches was really great. And I think a lot of difficult, I wasn't there, but I just assumed there were a lot of difficult conversations that had to be had for them to get to that place. And so I think that's where it started. Then, you know, those, you know, three of our captains are our pitchers.

Yeah. And they've had a great year. BP, we won the tournament and scored eight runs. I know we've been a good offensive team. I mean, we saw some good pitchers. But we won the tournament scoring eight runs. Our pitcher's ERA was 0.6 something, 0.06 something for the tournament. So it all started, it literally all started in the circle.

and but I just think every kid on the team feels the support from all of their teammates and I think they all just bring out the best in each other and that includes the coaches. Like I think this team has uplifted the coaches. I think the coaches have gotten to the point where they now are uplifting the team and it's just often to watch. Did you find yourself this weekend? When did you start to believe that, you know what, the Huster's going to win this whole thing? Yeah, I was nervous Friday because we hadn't played 10, or Thursday, I'm sorry,

we hadn't played 10th State before, and they have an excellent pitcher. But when we won that game, I really thought we're going to win this whole deal. I really thought that. And I think they did, too. So when you talk to Abby, was she mirroring your emotions or was she, in a different place because you said you were nervous at first. Do you think that she was comfortable in it? Because she certainly played like she had been there before.

Yeah, I think this team, they draw a lot of strength from each other. Like I said, I know I'm wearing that out, but I think they understand, like, hey, it's not just me. All I have to do is do anything I can to help win the game. And it really takes the pressure off. And it doesn't have to be, you have to be a superstar. I honestly, I left Abby alone. I stayed pretty much away from her. I didn't talk to her much this weekend.

That's just kind of how she is. But I can say, you know, going back to previous conversations we've had over the last, I don't know, a month or so, however long we've been doing this. Abby is a benefactor of being part of the team, but she's also benefited from being a multi-sport athlete. She's been in several state champion track meets.

She's been in two state champions. or one state championship basketball games. She played in two state championship high school softball championship games. And I don't think she's uncomfortable in those big situations. I really don't. That's kind of the playbook for success at the collegiate level, is finding people who have figured out ways to have success, no matter what space they're in.

And also having people buy into the idea that team is best, team is first, we over me. I'll ask this, because that roster is deep. You talk about pitching. You've got five pitchers who could be the first person in the circle for you on any given day. You've got six players on the bench who, quite frankly, could be starting for most teams of the Big Ten.

So how did they message that into everybody play your role, will all be better for it. Yeah, that was a huge part of it. And these girls are competitive. All 17 of them want to be out there playing. And I think a lot of our success is due to those girls accepting their roles and playing them the best they can. Whether your role is to make sure all the equipment is set up

or maybe not on the field role, they were awesome. We have some awesome kids that didn't play a lot that really takes the reason why we are where we are. John, did you, we're talking to John Squire and again, Husker himself, Husker dad, dad of Abbey Squire

from the Big Ten champion, Husker softball team. For you, did you hang out and watch other games? we you know believe it or not it was hot and uh there was no it wasn't temperature hot but it was in the mid 80s to upper 80s there was no breeze there was sun beat there was no shade in the stands so honestly we watched a lot of the other games from from tv from our hotels or in the lobby of the hotel so um that was that was pretty fun that's that was a lot of fun actually take take us through The eighth inning and the rally.

Yep. You know, it wasn't the first time we've been in that situation. We've been behind before. We've been tied before. We've won a lot of close games. And, you know, I just felt like we had figured out their pitcher a little bit. We'd had some good at bat. We'd hit some hard balls that maybe hadn't gotten down

for hits. But I really felt like if we could get a lead off runner on that we were, it was, it was going to happen. And that's exactly what happened. The thing that was huge is after we went up two to one, then Sidney Gray had a clutch hit. And then we went up three one. And that just felt different. It just felt like, yeah, we got this. Take us through the final out where you get to to see this thing come to fruition. Yeah. All right. So, you know, once we got the first two,

the first batter hit a lion, she had a good at bat and hit a lion drive right at Maya Felder at first. Mm-hmm. And she caught it. So it's like, whoo, getting that first out in an inning is always huge. Because Michigan,

they do play small ball. They've got some speed and they do bunt. So that was kind of in their wheelhouse. Have they gotten that first runner? on base. Once we got that out, I felt like we were, our pitcher were, we were in total control and I knew that we weren't going to walk or hit anybody. So I felt like, yeah, once we got that first out, I kind of knew it was going to happen. You know, then Sid, then Sid picked up that ground ball at third and the rest of history. And, you know, it happened so fast. Like, that last

inning really was quick. It was a quick inning. It was like, oh, my goodness, this game is over. We just won this. So I got a lot of joy. To be honest, I just got a lot of joy in watching the girls celebrate a huge amount of joy watching the coaches just, I mean, you could just see going through their faces. Coach Revelle just didn't even know what to do with herself. And then the girls, I don't know if you saw the girls after they celebrated with the

trophy, they took it over to the coach. and it kind of had a special moment there. So it was just, it was incredible. As a dad, talk to me about Rhonda Rovel and what she is and what she's done as a coach for your daughter. You know, I love that lady. She, there's nobody, and I mean nobody, that bleeds Husser Red like she does.

I mean, she's created this program, from nothing, she played here. And it's her life. I mean, it's the story of her life. And, you know, a couple years ago, things weren't going real well. And I just think it was just, I guess, so I was super happy for them. They, you know, they wanted this for their kids more than they want it for themselves. There's no doubt about it.

they're willing to have hard conversation with girls. I know one of the things they say often to the kids is, hey, we can do hard things. This Husker team, as individuals, you can do hard things, ladies, and they do, and they support them through it, and they're high expectations, and they, you know, they're just all about Husker, and they're not looking to go anywhere or take a better job or anything like that. All three of them, Coach Miller, the hitting coach, and Coach Simple, the pitching coach, they are a staff and they do things together, and there's no staff in the country that has more loyalty and love for their team.

I'm telling you. I'll ask this because it's been a thing that's been whispered in the shadows, but it's got to mean a lot for the young ladies to see and hear the support that they are now getting, that they may or may not have gotten during the season. Valid points that now they are getting the support and the cheers and accolades that they have deserved all season long. Yeah, I don't know how they'd answer that question if you ask them. I honestly think most of the kids in this team get the most joy in having success with each other because they are best friends. This is a group of 17 girls that literally are best friends and love each other.

And I think that's probably what made it most special, I think, for them. But I do think that especially the sophomore class of kids, the sophomore group that came in as recruits together, the team was having some struggles, but they said it out loud, and they said it to the coaches. We want more for this team and for themselves and for the coaching staff. And I think that group gave a real shot in the arm to the program. And I also think they made it so the leaders could lead. Sometimes you need, you know, we talk about leadership, leadership, leadership, but we don't talk a lot about followship.

And to be a great teammate, sometimes you've got to follow the leaders. And I just think they've got the right chemistry on this team. And it doesn't happen all the time. As you know, BP. You've had a ton of teams. It's just what is that magic thing that happens? Sometimes you don't really know what it is, but they got it. it's going to be an interesting week as you head down to Stillwater.

When are you taking off and getting there and getting settled in? You know, I'm not sure about me because being a school person, it couldn't be worth timing for me trying to get the end of the school year taking care of. So I'm not sure when I'm heading down there at all. The girls, I think, are going down. I think they may travel on Wednesday. Okay. But I'm not totally sure.

Well, once again, if you would, kind sir. Patch your daughter on the back for us. Give a full clap because that's what we were doing for them for what they've done for us. This community, this athletic program, needed Hussker softball. They needed these young ladies. to be exactly who they are. And we are thankful, we're grateful, we're appreciated. I appreciate you making time for us and sharing some of what you're going through.

This has got to be an exceptional time. Congratulations to your family, this squad, this program, job well done all the way around. Thanks a lot, you guys. You've kind of led the pack in terms of getting that message out. You know, hopefully this is just the beginning for the softball program. I hope we can turn this baby into a machine like what the volleyball kids have going. But that takes time, but it does take attention and it does take a message from everybody to make that happen. So hopefully this is just the next step in getting to that spot.

These young ladies, they have our eyes, they have our attention. And they have our hearts because people really care about this team. So job well done. I'll talk to you later this week. John, thank you once again. Sounds great. You guys have a great day. Love you. That's John Squire.

Dad of Abby Squire, Husker, softball, the Rainy, Big Ten, softball champions. Wow. Peace. Job well done. Well, toward the break. We've come back. We're going to giggle. We're going to laugh. Be prepared.

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