VYPE Magazine editorial director Brad Heath caught up with Catoosa High School Athletic Director Courtne St. Clair before the season kicked off. 

VYPE: Tell us where you went to high school and college and where did you get your start in coaching? 

St. Clair: I graduated from Duncan High School in 2007 and Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2013 with a master’s degree in Sports Administration. During that time, I was also a graduate assistant for the SOSU softball team under head coach Ron Faubion. In 2013, I was named the first assistant softball coach in the school’s history. In 2015, I took a head fast pitch and slow pitch coach at Norman High School. 

VYPE: This is a different time dealing with unusual circumstances, how do you feel the covid response by your coaches and staff has been and how ready is everyone to get back into a more normal routine?

St. Clair: These times are ever changing and unusual to say the least. Our coaching staff handled the pandemic extremely well and was thankful for all the help throughout the school year. They worked tirelessly to make sure we followed protocol and stayed positive throughout all our cancellations and quarantines. Our coaching staff is more ready than ever to be back at. 

VYPE: What is the message to the athletes at Catoosa under your guidance and leadership?

St. Clair: Catoosa Athletics is place where you can truly be yourself and grow both academically and athletically. We want you feel empowered to chase your dreams. We want to develop model citizens with the ability to be successful in whatever path they may choose. I will always strive to provide the best experience for each and every student at Catoosa. 

VYPE: Do you have a coaching/teaching mentor? Someone you have looked up to or call on for advice? 

St. Clair: I have several mentors on both sides of my career, honestly there are too many to name. On the coaching side, Ron Faubion and Cherrie Wilmoth molded my coaching mind early in my coaching career. On the administration side, TD O’Hara and Bo Maynes from Norman Public Schools have mentored me in so many aspects of this job. 

VYPE: I’m going to throw a few questions at you so our readers and the Catoosa faithful can get to know you a little better. Ready? Where is your favorite place for lunch or dinner if you’re going to eat out? 

St. Clair: My favorite place for lunch is Cool Greens and my recent favorite dinner spot, which is recent find, is the Lodge in Catoosa.

VYPE: Do you have any hobbies? 

St. Clair: My favorite hobby is being out on the lake or hiking.

VYPE: Do you have a favorite sports team? College or pro. 

St. Clair: My favorite team is OU softball, and I can already hear the groaning, but I have been a Dallas Cowboy fan for as long as I can remember. 

VYPE: What is your favorite sports movie? 

St. Clair: My favorite sports movie is Remember the Titans. 

VYPE: Tell us the first concert you ever attended? 

St. Clair: My first concert I ever went to Cross Canadian Ragweed or maybe Johnny Cooper. 

VYPE: Have you ever traveled outside the United States? If so, where did you go? 

St. Clair: I have been to Mexico, Grand Cayman Island and Jamaica but my favorite place I’ve ever been was Turks and Caicos. They have the best beaches! 

VYPE: Finally coach, tell me what you have come to love most about Catoosa, your athletes and where is the future of the program headed? 

St. Clair: What I love most about Catoosa athletes and students is their resilience. No student has had it easy the past year and a half and our students, along with so many other districts, have always found a way to fight for what they believe is right and to compete at the highest level. These students have dealt with adversity and loss and have handled each moment with grace. For that, I am proud to say I am a Catoosa Indian. What I love most about Catoosa Public Schools are the teachers and staff I get to work with daily. To my principals, thank you for your help and all the things you do for our students. As you know, this thing takes a village to run and the support I have from the 

VYPE: Okay coach, here is your chance to give a shout-out to anyone you wish.  

St. Clair: The Catoosa community is tremendous. To all the parents who volunteer and teachers who are so willing to help, thank you. You all are a huge part of our success. Looking to the future of Catoosa Athletics, we have several new head coaches and assistant coaches in our program this year. Each one of them possesses a contagious energy and willingness to do whatever it takes to be successful. Needless to say, I am excited for what is going to be happening in Catoosa Athletics in the near future.