Mineral Wells Rotarians on Wednesday were given the coaching insights and philosophies of Mineral Wells ISD's two athletics directors, Seth Hobbs and Tony Rafaelle. Scott Elder was this week's program chair.
Seth is the new boys athletics director and Rams head football coach. He will be entering his eighth year in Mineral Wells, serving the previous seven years as defensive coordinator and strength/powerlifting coach. His wife, Joey, is an assistant principal at Mineral Wells Junior High School and they have two daughters. He said the expectations across all the athletics program is win now, but he said growing boys into young men and instilling character are also key aspects for all coaches.
Tony said there is a century's worth of coaching experience in the girls athletics programs – noting that legendary track coach Jackie Harvey has nearly 50 of those years. Still, Tony said the girls programs are rich in coaching talent and experience. He said hopes are to take successes this past year in the track and soccer programs and spread that success across all programs. Winning is contagious, he said.
Tony is a highly successful girls basketball coach who notched over 300 wins at Santo, and is a Mineral Wells native whose family has deep roots here. He said it is his desire to bring winning basketball to Mineral Wells. He said the image of Mineral Wells as a community and within the coaching community is quickly changing for the better and he hopes the athletics programs can build on that by attracting and keeping coaches who can elevate Mineral Wells athletics and produce quality athletes and young people.
Rotary Club of Mineral Wells meets every Wednesday at noon at Southside Church of Christ, with lunches catered by Sadie's Eats. Meetings are for club members, prospective members and invited guests.