By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Every coach has been inspired by someone along the way.

This new weekly series on Portage Sports will celebrate the stories and people who influenced today’s high-school coaches in the county.

Today is the story of who inspired Kent Roosevelt High School football head coach Kardell Jackson, who wrote his own narrative.

Growing up, I didn’t always want to be a coach.

While I was a student in college, I was fortunate enough to get into coaching high-school football.

Initially, I thought of it as just a fun way to stay connected to football after no longer being a player.

By the time I was a college senior, I knew I wanted to become a teacher and coach.

Early on, I really had no idea what I was doing as a coach or why I was coaching, other than I loved football.

Then, once I decided this was something I really wanted to do, I started to think why.

That’s when I began to think of all the coaches and teachers I’ve had throughout my life and thought about the impact they’ve had on my life.

As that thought process occurred, I couldn’t think of anyone more influential and inspirational in my life and career than John Nemec.

Many people are fortunate to know Coach Nemec, and I think it’s safe to say he’s had — and continues to have — a positive impact on each and every person he interacts with.

Coach Nemec’s influence on my life began when I was just in the seventh grade.

I was a student at Stanton Middle School and, at first, I just noticed him being around because he was the high school head football coach.

Then, as time went on, I noticed and felt how he was more than just around.

He was making intentional interactions and conversations with us to build a relationship.

As a kid, you really don’t think much of this simple act, but as I grew older, I learned to take a deeper appreciation for those actions.

Before ever speaking about “Xs and Os,” Coach Nemec made sure to make an effort to get to know his student-athletes and build a relationship with them.

He made sure to show he cared about people as more than just an athlete or football player.

So as I started to progress towards a career as an educator and football coach, I thought about all the important things Coach Nemec did that many might think are small acts.

The biggest influence Coach Nemec has had on me is teaching me that relationships matter far more than football.

When we would discuss this career path, he would always tell me, and still tells me, earning the kids’ trust and respect will win more games than any scheme.

He would explain that sometimes high school football is just about getting the team to play hard and getting the most out of them.

Sometimes, that is the difference between winning and losing.

The best way to do this is by building a relationship or connection with them.

When your team believes in you or knows how much you care about them, they are more likely to play hard and give that extra effort it takes on a football field.

That is the greatest lesson I have learned from Coach Nemec in regards to being a high school football coach.

His greatest influence in my life comes off the football field.

When I try to think of a word to describe Coach Nemec, the first one that comes to mind is genuine.

Coach Nemec is genuine in every sense of the word, and I think that is why he is able to build such impactful relationships with people.

He never made you feel like he’s getting to know you or caring about you just for you to play football — he was genuine.

Now, as I navigate my career, I think about the influence Coach had and not only the way he connected with others, but why he connected.

As an adult, I cannot adequately express the impact and influence Coach Nemec continues to have.

Also, as many know, you can’t mention the influence Coach Nemec has without mentioning his wife, Mary.

John and Mary continue to check in on me almost weekly.

They don’t just ask about football and the Rough Riders.

They ask about my family, they ask about friends and old teammates.

They are both genuine and intentional about their relationships because they truly care about the people in their lives.

This characteristic is spread throughout the entire Nemec family.

So when I think about why I decided to become a football coach and teacher, I think about the impact the Nemec Family has had, and continues to have on my life, and I try to exemplify or mimic parts of those roots.

Like many others, I am very appreciative and fortunate to have their influence and presence in my life.