The Oxford Charger Podcast

After a hiatus I'm glad to be back with you and I have a fantastic guest today on the podcast today: Coach Konrad Ernst with the Oxford Charger Wrestling team. This conversation was actually recorded last November. Yeah, I know. It's been a while. But this was with only a short bit into the season and he and his athletes were figuring out each other and what Charger Wrestling could be. Turns out, they had an incredible first season. Five of his wrestlers made it to the finals in their weight classes with two athletes, 8th grader Nhari Jones and 10th grader Kamar Houston, winning the state titles! As you listen you'll hear Coach Ernst's passion for both the sport of wrestling and teaching his guys and girls how to push themselves to be successful both on and off the wrestling mat. We talk about BBQ, concerts, a grizzly bear attack, and growing up in Wisconsin. And Coach Ernst was also awarded Outstanding First Year Teacher for the entire Oxford School District last spring as well!Thanks again to Coach Ernst for joining the pod and providing some insight into the world of competitive high school wrestling. Congrats on a great first season, and I know the enthusiasm for the sport has already grown with the success the team has had under his leadership.We have a few more upcoming episodes I think you'll enjoy too, BUT.... if you have a suggestion please do not hesitate to reach out by DMing me on twitter or instagram @chargerpodcast or emailing me at blake@chargerpodcast.com. Until next time... go Chargers.

After a hiatus I'm glad to be back with you and I have a fantastic guest today on the podcast today. If you have had a kid at either Central Elementary or Oxford High then you're probably a bit familiar with SRO Officer Zach Anderson. Officer Anderson has been working with law enforcement for over 18 years but has found true enjoyment working with our schools, the kids, and their families. Zach talks about his childhood and military experience before joining the Tupelo Police Dept, his move to Oxford PD and becoming integrated into our community. He shares what motivates him to be the best he can at his job and what he sees as challenges for our kids today. I really think you'll enjoy.If you liked this episode I challenge you to grab your phone right now (yes, right now!) and share it with a friend who you know would enjoy it too. We have a few more upcoming episodes I think you'll enjoy too, BUT.... if you have a suggestion please do not hesitate to reach out by DMing me on twitter or instagram @chargerpodcast or emailing me at blake@chargerpodcast.com. Until next time... go Chargers!

On this episode we have the Oxford High's new principal Dr. Dana Bullard. Dr. Bullard came to Oxford after stints at Corinth High School and Aberdeen High School. Dr. Bullard has also worked in Jackson with the Mississippi Department of Education for a while after teaching in the classroom for many years. In our conversation Dr. Bullard shares a bit about her own experiences before coming to Oxford, how she sees the impact invested teachers have on the lives of students, and we discuss the potential differences a "year round school" could hold if OSD were to ever move towards that schedule. She also touches on her own coaching experiences and shares her favorite concerts she's been too.Also, just a note but as we recorded there was a work crew just outside the windows pressure washing the steps and walkways... so you may hear a soft rumble in the background.If you have a suggestion of who would be great to have a conversation with, send me a tweet or DM @chargerpodcast or you can email me at blake@chargerpodcast.com.

On today's episode we have the Oxford High's John Davenport. Mr. Davenport has been with the school district over 22 years now leading the theater department. He teaches classes as well as directing/producing multiple performances each year. Mr. Davenport was OSD Employee of the year in 2018.In this conversation we talk about what caused him to pursue theater, what brought him to Oxford High School, and the journey of the last 22 years. He talks of the selection process of the many plays, the support of the district for the arts, and advice he has for a student intrigued but still bitten by stage fright.It's truly a great conversation I think you'll enjoy. A quick note that we did record in the new fine arts building with lots going on around us. In the background you may hear students from afar and the OHS band warming up just outside the doors. But that's what high school is all about, right? Also, Jekyll and Hyde is starting this THIS WEEK Nov 3/4/5.! So be sure to get to one of the performances.Also, be sure to share this episode with at least one person you think would enjoy it. Here we go.If you have a suggestion of who would be great to have a conversation with, send me a tweet or DM @chargerpodcast on Twitter or you can email me at blake@chargerpodcast.com.Be sure to share this episode with a friend and leave us a review!

The Oxford School District has a unique staffing structure where we have two athletic/activities directors. I'm not sure there's another district in the state with the same setup. On this episode of the Oxford Charger Podcast I sit down with Tabitha Beard and Chris Baughman to talk about their journey from the softball/baseball fields into athletics administration and their hopes & dreams for the near future. They also discuss the new sports and coaches we've recently added to the district and how they find fulfillment in their job. We wrap up the conversation with a new game called The Villes... so be sure to play along with them.As always, if you know of someone who would like this episode and our recent episodes, shoot them a message right now to share the pod with them. And if you know of the perfect guest for the pod, reach out to me on twitter at @chargerpodcast. Hope you enjoy! Always open to feedback!

Welcome back to another episode of the charger podcast. We’ve been on a brief hiatus with summertime and the busyness of school getting started back. But we’re ready for the school year ahead and have a few interviews already lined up BUT… if you have any ideas for who might be a great guest, please be sure to reach out to me on the socials. @chargerpodcastToday we welcome back Mr. Roberson, our Superintendent who is now in his 2nd year of leading the district. We talk about what he learned about the job during his first year, what dreams he has for the district and our students as well as a few challenges we face. He touches on the dress code situation and also the effects of high school in a college town. If you have any feedback or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out, and please be sure to share this episode with a friend this week. Alright, here we go…

This episode we have Coach Kyle Long. Coach Long is in his first year as Softball HC after 12 years at the helm of East Central in Hurley, MS where he saw lots of success. The softball season has been a good year so far as the Chargers went undefeated in district play. The team is excited for the upcoming postseason. So listen in As always, be sure to follow along on the socials at @ChargerPodcast, and send any feedback, suggestions, and ideas to blake@chargerpodcast.com and subscribe to us in your favorite app!

Welcome back to the first episode of the 2022. I get to sit down with Oxford Middle School Principal Audra Rester. Mrs. Rester has been with the Oxford School District for eight years and served thousands of students and families and teachers. As she is close to retiring from OSD in a few months, she looks back at what brought her in to education, how she measures success as an administrator, and what's unique and special about Oxford to her and her family. Be sure to subscribe. Leave a rating/review as well if you feel kind today! And follow us on the socials @ChargerPodcast. And let us know of who you'd like to hear on an upcoming episode!

This episode we have Coach Cade Hoggard. Coach Hoggard is an OG Charger and returns to Oxford to take over the head coaching duties from Coach Baughman. Coach Hoggard had an illustruius career at OHS and went on to play college ball at Mississippi State and Delta State. He's coached at Olive Branch and Amory before coming back to Oxford. During the conversation he speaks on what he learned about coaching from Coach Polk & Coach Kennison, what it means to be back as the coach of his old team, and what coaching philosophy he brings to the team. As always, be sure to follow along on the socials at @ChargerPodcast, and send any feedback, suggestions, and ideas to blake@chargerpodcast.com and subscribe to us in your favorite app!

This episode we have Coach Hunter Crane of the Boys & Girls soccer teams. Coach Crane has been a part of Charger Soccer now for seven years and is looking forward to a challenging but rewarding season. Both of his teams have high expectations in a Region stacked with Tupelo, Starkville, and Grenada. As always, be sure to follow along on the socials at @ChargerPodcast, and send any feedback, suggestions, and ideas to blake@chargerpodcast.com and subscribe to us in your favorite app!

This week we have Pratt Wilkinson & Andrew Martin from the Oxford Charger Booster Club on to talk about this weekend's big fundraiser, Boosters & Blues. This once a year event directly benefits Charger Athletics & Activities by supplementing the team budgets throughout the year. If you'd like to attend this weekend's event visit https://t.co/gNSexqvzzD or any of the Booster Club's social media accounts (@ChargerBooster on Twitter, @OxfordChargerBoosterClub on Insta, and Oxford Charger Booster Club on FB).As always, be sure to follow along on the socials at @ChargerPodcast, and send any feedback, suggestions, and ideas to blake@chargerpodcast.com and subscribe to us in your favorite app!

In this episode we have Heather Lenard with us. Heather Lenard is the Public Information Officer for the Oxford Public Schools and has been with the district for three and a half years. She speaks specifically about the Return To Learn plan for the OSD as well as what all goes into her job in keeping the public informed about all that's going on and upcoming with the district. Then she talks a bit about her own high school experiences and why she loves her job as much as she does.Be sure to follow along on the socials at @ChargerPodcast, and send any feedback, suggestions, and ideas to blake@chargerpodcast.com and subscribe to us in your favorite app!

In this episode we sit down with Robert Gonzalez, head coach of the boys and girls Charger Swim teams. Coach Gonzalez has been the swim coach for six years and has seen continual growth in his program resulting in state records, state champions and lots of expectations for the future.Be sure to follow along on the socials at @ChargerPodcast, and send any feedback, suggestions, and ideas to blake@chargerpodcast.com and subscribe to us in your favorite app!

Bradley Roberson was recently named the new superintendent of the Oxford School District. Mr. Roberson has served in the district already as a teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, and assistant superintendent. He's very familiar with the district already and looking forward to continuing to keep things trending upward.Listen in as we talk about what he sees as challenges the district faces, his goals for the near future, and what makes Oxford a unique school district. Be sure to subscribe. Leave a rating/review as well if you feel kind today! And follow us on the socials @ChargerPodcast. And let us know of who you'd like to hear on an upcoming episode!

The AVID program at the Oxford School District strives to prepare students for for year universities and the real world. I was able to sit down with Lauren Lauzon, AVID Coordinator to learn about the program and what they do to help Charger students set big goals for themselves and create a plan to set them on a path for success beyond the high school years.Mrs. Lauzon is also the Cheer Coach for the Chargers and a busy wife/mom. Listen in and learn about the program. And for more info you can visit oxfordsd.org/avid or twitter.com/osd_avid.Be sure to subscribe. Leave a rating/review as well if you feel kind today! And follow us on the socials @ChargerPodcast. And let us know of who you'd like to hear on an upcoming episode!

Noah Hamilton came to Oxford High as principal in the Fall of 2019 after serving school districts on the Mississippi coast and Northeast Mississippi. He sits down with us to talk about his background in teaching/coaching before becoming a principal, what he saw as both opportunities and goals for the Oxford High job, and how he hopes that OHS can equip students for the real world after graduation, whether that's college, the work force, or life in general.Be sure to subscribe. Leave a rating/review as well if you feel kind today! And follow us on the socials @ChargerPodcast. And let us know of who you'd like to hear on an upcoming episode!

Wer'e here in fall of 2020 and Chris Patton's Cross Country teams are just weeks away from the State Meet in Jackson. In this episode of The Oxford Charger Podcast you'll hear a quick update on Coach's summer wedding, and then we delve into his guys and girls running Cross Country this season. The state meet is just a few weeks away, and he talks through how he structures his training and season in order for his runners to be performing their best by that time Patton also talks through what a regular week looks like for him and his team.Be sure to subscribe. Leave a rating/review as well if you feel kind today! And follow us on the socials @ChargerPodcast.

Last time Coach Cutcliffe was on the pod his team had just won the 6A State Championship. We recorded this interview Sunday night as his team looks forward to their third game of the season. So his coaching staff has two games under their belt so far. In today’s conversation you’ll hear 3 big things from Coach Cut.What he has learned about his team so far through practice, competition and games. What a typical weekly schedule looks like for his coaching staff.The recruiting process and how he helps his players navigate those waters of getting noticed and opportunities to play beyond OHS. Be sure to subscribe. Leave a rating/review as well if you feel kind today! And follow us on the socials @ChargerPodcast.

In this episode we sit down with Hunter Crane, head coach of both the boys and girls Charger Soccer teams. Coach Crane has been the head girls coach for five years and this year takes over the boys program as well.We hear of his transition into this dual role, what he's learned about his boys' team over the summer, and the expectations for this off season as they prepare for winter soccer with both teams. He also mentions the impact the Charger Booster Club has had on his programs as well as Charger Athletics overall.Be sure to follow along on the socials at @ChargerPodcast, and send any feedback, suggestions, and ideas to blake@chargerpodcast.com and subscribe to us in your favorite app!

In this episode we hear form our new volleyball coach, Ashley Martin. Coach Martin has been with the team since the spring and is eager to have her girls on the court to start their season next week. Coach Martin talks of her journey into coaching, what she sees in her team, and how she intends to play with speed and energy this season with the Chargers. As always, be sure to find us on the socials at ChargerPodcast. And send us a message with any feedback or folks you'd like to hear on the pod!