Chasing Dreams and Touchdowns: From Vegas Neon to Fort Cherry's Legacy

As the neon lights of Las Vegas faded into the background, Austin Fitch, the inspiring coach from Fort Cherry, PA, joined me to recount the whirlwind of leading his team to the state finals. Journey through the highs and lows of competitive sports with us, where the buzz of New Year's in Vegas sets the stage for a discussion on the city's burgeoning sports scene. From the warm embrace of the Raiders to the triumphs of the Vegas Golden Knights, we explore how geographical ties to teams can stir the hearts of fans, especially amid the turbulence of relocations and name changes.

This week's episode isn't just about the glitz of game nights; it's a heartfelt narrative of Fort Cherry's legacy, where football giants like Marvin Lewis and Marty Schottenheimer have left indelible marks. Austin opens up about his own career trajectory, from technical education to the postal service, and even his offbeat passion for comedy. It's a testament to the power of ambition and the importance of chasing dreams, no matter how divergent the paths may seem. Austin's story is a blend of past and present, echoing the perseverance and spirit of Fort Cherry's finest.

Wrap up your week with more than just a conversation; it's an experience as Austin shares his love for the scenic vistas beyond Vegas's casinos and his fervent support for Pittsburgh sports. Our "Fast Fiddy Five" segment peels back the layers, revealing the man behind the coach's whistle—his personal tastes, his Sunday rituals, and an invitation to the unique charm of a Friday night in McDonald, Pennsylvania. If you're seeking inspiration or just a good story, this episode promises to deliver both, with a side of community pride and an enduring pursuit of excellence.

All music brought to you by former guest of the show Speedo

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Transcript

Coach's Journey to the State Finals

Speaker 1 4:48

Welcome everybody to another episode of the Ride Home Rants podcast. As always, your host, Mike Bono. I have a great guest for us today. But first and foremost, everyone, please go and check out one of our brand new sponsors and Buddy's Beard Care. Beard oils, beard washes, beard bombs everything you need to keep your beard looking great, full and healthy. They have sent me some complimentary products to try out the face wash and, of course, my dog has to chew her chewy. In the middle of my promo read Beard washes, beard bombs and beard oils. My beard has never felt thicker, it has never felt healthier and, according to my wife, it has never felt softer. Go to BuddiesBeardCarecom, check them out. Tell them Mike Bono sent you. It's BuddiesBeardCare where size does matter. That being said, my guest today is a coach at Fort Cherry in the junior high and the high school in PA.

Speaker 1 5:52

We will get into a little bit of that, but Austin Fitch joins the show. Austin, thanks for joining me. Man. Hey, no problem, glad to be here. First form. Thanks for bringing on again, but you recently just went to Vegas. I've never been to Vegas personally, so how was that? Was this your first time there?

Speaker 2 6:11

It was my first time. Yeah, me and my wife, we had a great time. We went over New Years, so it was pretty neat. They shut down the whole strip and you could walk right on the street. It was pretty neat we'll experience have all the hotels shooting off fireworks off the roofs. It was not a lot of fun partying and gambling.

Speaker 1 6:30

Biggest question I got for you. Did you come back into the positive or the negative from being here? Oh, definitely the negative.

Speaker 2 6:39

We went pretty well the one night, but we spent it all the next.

Speaker 1 6:43

At least you were playing with house money that next day. That's always the important part of it when you go to any casino anywhere, but especially Vegas. What are your thoughts on Vegas having all these pro sports teams now?

Speaker 2 7:01

I don't think it's pretty neat. There's a lot of people for the bigger venues. We got to see the Legion Stadium. We kind of passed it. It's a beautiful stadium. They got the Vegas Knights out there now too. Pretty decent hockey team. I didn't get to see where they're playing at, but pretty neat with all the people around. Get to go to the games and everything.

Speaker 1 7:25

I haven't physically seen Vegas Knights Stadium, but I've seen pictures of it. It looks like a gorgeous stadium. I'm sure it's only going to get better. Being last year's Stanley Cup winners, you know what I mean. I'm only about when you were visiting there, when you were going to, like, to casinos and stuff. Do you think people are even thinking about sports out there? Are they more? Just let's get to the casino and let's try to win some money.

Speaker 2 7:51

I believe it's kind of like a mixture, because the Super Bowls being hosted there this year there was a lot of Super Bowl athletic wear and stuff like that, you know clothing and stuff that it was just everywhere in every gift shop you walk in. There was Super Bowl stuff there and I would say it's kind of a 50-50 mixture. You saw a couple of people walking around on Sundays with their jerseys on, but it wasn't too crazy.

Speaker 1 8:18

They accepted the Raiders. Yet coming from Oakland to Vegas now?

Speaker 2 8:22

It seems like there was a lot of jerseys there.

Speaker 1 8:26

Okay, I know a lot of people. I'm not a Raiders fan, but I was upset when they moved the team from Oakland because it's always been the Oakland Raiders, yeah, I mean. So that really, you know, as a sports fan really hits you where you don't think you care about a team and it's like I guess they kind of care, because now they're moving from Oakland and I still can't call them the Vegas Raiders. I still screw it up every time.

Speaker 2 8:52

It's the same thing with the Rams as well. The St Louis Rams, yeah.

Speaker 1 8:57

Same thing. I've had people on here correct me. I was like, yeah, the St Louis Rams are like Los Angeles. I was like, yeah, you're right, they're always going to be the St Louis Rams. And the same thing with the Commanders and changing the name and everything like that. You know it's. We won't say it on here because you know you don't want to get anyone's in their feelings or anything like that but you are a coach. Like I said at Fort Cherry High School this past season, the 2023 season your team ended up as a state runner up. Can you talk about? Talk to us about? You know your coaching background and you know what that was like going to the state finals.

Football Legends and Career Paths

Speaker 2 9:38

Yeah, so I've been coaching for four years now for the junior high and also helping out with high school. It was pretty neat to see some of the kids that I coached kind of their juniors now and we went three years on a undefeated streak and yeah, it's pretty for junior high. I mean it's pretty neat to do. But it's been pretty neat to see the kids grow up and get better with the sport and, you know, grow up as adults, you know and mature. But it's been awesome to be a part of the program and it's it's it's awesome. I mean it was awesome to see get the state semifinals. I mean we got to play the Wipio championship in Heinz Field or Accuser, I guess. Again, name changes.

Speaker 1 10:25

Yeah, it's all, heinz Field.

Speaker 2 10:29

Yes, yeah, it's. It's pretty awesome. It was pretty awesome to be a part of that.

Speaker 1 10:32

So is this the only place you've coached?

Speaker 2 10:35

Yes, it is the only place I've coached. Yeah.

Speaker 1 10:37

Okay. So you kind of got your start there at Fort Cherry and continue on. Well, that's I mean obviously you're doing something right with undefeated seasons. You know obviously you're you're doing the right things there. So can you walk us through your season and the games that stand out to you?

Speaker 2 10:58

Well, this year for the junior high, our first game of the year actually was my first loss as coach, so that one kind of stands out the most because we lost on a last second play. It was a tied game, I think it was 22 to 22 or something like that, and the kid just threw a great pass and it was over a first year kid that never played football, he was an eighth grader and I couldn't be mad because it was just, it was a perfect pass and everything just lined up for them, I mean. So it was one of the ones that stood out this year. Another we lost another game towards the end of the season. It was just, they were a very good team.

Speaker 1 11:40

Right, and I've been on a. You know a bunch of those teams you know, especially growing up in junior high and high school. And you know, I mean my high school went five and five every year from my freshman year all the way up to my senior year where we went six and four and kind of snuck into the playoffs and that was kind of a big deal to us. And then we went down to a Martinsburg, west Virginia and we ended up losing 45 to seven. I'll say we did better because it was 45, nothing at halftime. So you know, the second half, our defense really kind of sucked into play. But it was just a well coached team. You know what I mean. It was one of those teams that it's like, yeah, we're supposed to lose this game, Like there's no doubt about it that we were not prepared like they were.

Speaker 2 12:30

Well, that's when it came down to for our varsity for the state championship game. I mean, these kids were huge, I mean it's, their quarterback was going to Navy. They had two D1 defense events and we just we're you know we're a small little school farmed down, you know it's we ain't got much, but you know, luckily we have a great quarterback. I'm sure you probably, if you follow any Pennsylvania news for sports, matthew Sieg, he is just everywhere now A couple D1 offers for Pitt, Penn State, nebraska, syracuse. So he's definitely been the driving force of the team.

Speaker 1 13:10

Absolutely. You know what and I get it right now. You know we're in a little small town here in Ohio and Filo, ohio, where my son plays football at the high school, and I mean it's considered a village because there's a town of 500 people. You know what I mean. Okay, so it's that little country, strong farm town and you know it's great. But you know you get these farm boards and we don't get a lot of speed on the team. But your team won 15 games in a row before you lost in the state finals. What was the preparation like for the state finals?

Speaker 2 13:46

It's just, we grind it every day. They actually had to go out and rent field like it works site lights because their practice field didn't have any lights on them. Oh wow, yeah, I mean it's a small school man, but yeah, they just they've worked their butts off to get there and it's just. It was same as every week really. I mean I hate to say that, but it was just focused, locked in and ready to go, you know.

Speaker 1 14:16

Yeah, I mean, do you got a lot of returning players coming back for next season?

Speaker 2 14:22

Yes and no, we're losing. I think three of our starting linemen are starting running back a couple of DB's, but I think that the fill-ins behind them are going to be just as good. So I think it's going to be a few years of pretty good success with this team.

Speaker 1 14:38

Okay, so is that kind of your guys' expectation for the 2024 season to go? And, you know, is that the head coach's expectations and everything like that?

Speaker 2 14:47

Yeah, yeah keep going, and fun fact about it is this is actually the first season the fort terry actually won 10 games. They've been undefeated before, but it was way back whenever they only had nine games this season. So it's. I think that was back in the early late middle 90s or something like that. So it's, it's been a while for an undefeated season.

Speaker 1 15:10

Okay, well, I'll be pulling for you guys for sure, you know, for cherry has quite the distinctive history in football, you know. I mean, the school has had some legendary football players and coaches, like former NFL head coaches. You know Marvin Lewis comes to mind, who coached the Bengals, and Marty Schottenheimer coach the Browns chiefs, redskins or commanders now, and the Chargers along with you know, legendary Westminster football coach, brad Tucker, who Considered one of the one of the greats, if not the greatest athlete at Westminster College ever, and Also the legendary whip you will running back, mike Vrainall, who played for WVU. It's my, my mountaineers and slippery rock. So what is it like, knowing the legends who are alumni's of your school that you coach at?

Speaker 2 16:09

So it's actually a Pretty awesome thing to have. I mean, you can't say that about many single-a schools. It's put in most areas, you know, having NFL coaches come out of them, you know. So it's pretty neat to be not only following and kind of those footsteps in a way, but also Some of them actually show up to some of these games, like Brad Tucker came to a few of these games, mike Vrainall, I came to a few of these games, you know, and it's neat to see some of these very, you know, well-known people come back and support the community and the as alumni.

Speaker 1 16:46

Does that get the kids riled up when they see you know guys like that coming to the games and you know what. What does that kind of do for? You know the team morale and you know, especially on game day and seeing that, I Definitely think that helps a lot.

Discussion on Vegas and Sports Games

Speaker 2 16:59

A lot, I mean. I would say it helps out somewhat. I'm more so for the coaches I would say Probably don't know about. These people are. But you know the coaches, like you know, that's our head coach, tanner Gary he actually graduated from Fort Cherry and His dad when his dad was a coach and everything. So it's pretty neat to see that whole progression now, because this field is actually named after his grandfather as well. So it's it's kind of like a lineage kind of thing there. She's pretty neat.

Speaker 1 17:34

Yeah, I got you and I definitely understand that the kids aren't knowing those had a conversation with my son and I can't even remember who it was that I mentioned, but it was very well known professional athlete. He was like who I was, like I'm gonna need you to just Go away for me for like ten minutes, like I need some time. I Failed you as a father. I'm talking about yeah yeah. So, yeah, I get it, it's. I think it's something like do you guys try to Bring that history up to the kids to like let them know? Like, hey, you know, I know you think we're a small town school, but People from this school have went to the NFL and all you do one colleges.

Speaker 2 18:24

Yeah, absolutely. It's a definitely a kind of a motivator in a way. The kid, the kids, like I said, the kids kind of thrive off with it a little bit, but like since more so Coaches you know, yeah, absolutely so, you know, besides coaching.

Speaker 1 18:42

So what else do you do for work and how long have you been doing that?

Speaker 2 18:46

I've been. I actually worked for the post office, but I do maintenance for the post office. Okay, so I go around Pittsburgh area. We take care of around 400 offices and we do anything from plumbing to age fact to concrete work to electrical and everything in between. Really, I've been doing that for what say five years now, something like that, maybe longer. I.

Speaker 1 19:16

Well, I guess it's always a good thing when you've been at a place so long that it's like it's four or five I've. I've ever said I don't know, it's yeah, it's, it's in there, but so what? What made you want to get into to doing something like that, are you? Have you always been like good with your hands and stuff like that?

Speaker 2 19:38

or yeah, I have growing up always working outside my dad. You know doing things and you know it's. It's always been a great time doing that, like I actually enjoyed working with my hands more. So I Wasn't got a degree from CCAC for mechatronics and it kind of helped me Really excel in this job of doing you know, pneumatic work, electrical work, hydraulic stuff like that. It's definitely always been something I enjoy. So it's you know there's people that say you know I hate work, waking up on Mondays to go to work, but you know I kind of enjoy it a little bit.

Speaker 1 20:18

So Well, yeah, I mean, I've Said it forever if you enjoy what you do, you'll never actually work a day in your life. Yep, people ask me all the time like, okay, so you're, you're a comedian. Like how did you like? Why I? I was like I know I'm working all the time, like there's no such thing as a day off for me, because we're either preparing for a show, writing new jokes, working on my merch store, working on my coffee brand, working on this podcast and I have to keep up with social media trends and everything like that and like so there's really no days off ever.

Speaker 1 20:57

And that's one thing people don't really realize. To like, oh, you work like an hour a day. Like, yes, like, yeah, I wish Work 24 hours a day. So, yeah, but I love, I love what I do. So, like it, that doesn't seem like work to me at all. So, yeah, that's. That's great that you could find something like that and Find something that you know that you're passionate about. I mean, I wish I was better with working with my hands. I really do. I'm just, I'm not that guy. You know what I mean. Like I, I'm handy enough that I can Fix certain things, but at a certain point is like I'm out, we're gonna have to pay somebody to fix this or get a real man in here to fix this, cuz I Don't know what I'm doing a lot of YouTube watching on my listen, I'm not gonna lie, I've used it a lot too.

Speaker 1 22:00

Make me feel a little bit better about that last part, for sure, all right. So I Mean Austin, you know it's great catching up to you.

Speaker 2 22:12

I did one more thing, though, like now that you've been to Vegas one once, any plans on going back and I Would say yes, we also rented a car and went out to like the Hoover Dam and went out to the mountains and everything like that. I would say, probably that was my favorite part of the whole thing. That's going out seeing the mountains, going to Grand Canyon, seeing all that. That was probably my favorite part. I would love to go back just for that. Other than that, it's a little expensive.

Speaker 1 22:47

Yeah, I'm sure it is Partly why I've never been there. We separated when we found out will we found $15 beer, so yeah, that's yeah, here in Ohio that's a case like 15, right, oh, but yeah, I mean. So I was gonna say any other than you know the casinos, you know what, what, what else is there to do in Vegas? But you kind of hit on that a little bit. You know the sightseeing and obviously the. Would you go back for a game to see any one of the sports teams there?

Speaker 2 23:26

Oh, yeah, absolutely. I mean Get a little inside thing about me, as I've been to every Pittsburgh sports venue, but I've only seen the Pirates play.

Speaker 1 23:38

Okay.

Speaker 2 23:40

So I've been there. I've been to Heinz Field for a concert, I've been to the PPG paints for a concert, but never got to see the Steelers or Penguins play, yet I got.

Following and Supporting Fort Cherry Football

Speaker 1 23:48

I gotta tell you somebody who's been to many of Steelers and Penguins games you got to get the PPG to see a game. There's not a bad seat in the house, okay, like you're literally over top of the ice, no matter where you're, where you're sitting at it. Whoever designed that stadium nailed it. It is a great experience and my wife and I, huge Pittsburgh sports fans. We both grew up an hour away from Pittsburgh in West Virginia, and she was in Ohio, but Still we and we love the Pirates, even though they disappoint us every year.

Speaker 1 24:29

It's hard not to root for them. They make it hard, like even now that I moved to Central Ohio. Like people See me wearing my, my Pirates gear out and they're just like so you're actually a pirate's friend, like this. So you know I'm a true fan that I'm very in public, yeah, but yeah, the the Steelers game. I haven't been to many Steelers games but it's definitely Wanted to get back to some Steelers games for sure, but you've got to see the pens For sure. Okay, okay, I would. I would put that on the list you got. You got to make it to a game.

Speaker 2 25:07

All right, yeah, definitely Definitely be checking that out.

Speaker 1 25:11

All right. Well, austin, we are running down near the end of the episode here, but I do have to get this last segment in here Because if I don't, the wonderful manager of the podcast, johnny Fitty Falcone, will kill me. And that is the fast fitty five, five random questions from the wonderful manager of the podcast, johnny Fitty Falcone. And if you've listened to the show before, you know how random these questions are. But for the new listeners out there, these are have nothing to do with what we've been talking about for the past 30 minutes and, um, they're kind of rapid fire. But you can elaborate if you need to, austin. So, if you, if you're ready, I'm ready. All right, I would like to start with the question, question one what would be more fun, scuba diving or bungee jumping?

Speaker 2 26:03

I?

Speaker 1 26:03

definitely have to say scuba diving, definitely yeah, there's no chance I'm yeah, I like heights at all. Question number two what is the best?

Speaker 2 26:14

month for a bonfire? Oh man, I would have to say probably june or july. I'm gonna stick with june Night, summer kind of bonfire. You have a bunch of friends, a couple of baruskes, you know. Okay, having fun, you know absolutely.

Speaker 1 26:29

I'm not mad at it. I'm really not. I'm more of a fall fire guy, but I can't go wrong. Okay, um question three what are more relaxing sunday mornings or sunday nights?

Speaker 2 26:42

Oh, sunday mornings easily. Yeah, these are the morning.

Speaker 1 26:46

Yes, it's really my only quote-unquote day off. So yes, number four best grocery store to do shopping at is Uh, I would have to stick with june We'll market district there.

Speaker 2 27:02

You know, same, their same thing. But okay, big, big selection. You know have won about 15 minutes from my house, so convenient.

Speaker 1 27:11

Like it. And last but not least, what is the best football movie ever?

Speaker 2 27:19

Man, that's kind of I'm gonna have to go with the longest yard because that's always been my favorite.

Speaker 1 27:28

The original or the adam sandler remake? Yeah, they over one.

Speaker 2 27:34

I've always been a fan of that movie, it's all, and I can sit down and watch it no matter what.

Speaker 1 27:37

so no absolutely Well that. That was the fast 55. I mean, he took it a little easier on you. I'm gonna say, like there's been some If, if anybody knows Johnny, they know how random those questions can get. Oh yeah, and I'll say I'm a little happy. He had a strange thing with animals. There was always an animal question and in every single one and it was always fighting an animal. So it's he took it easy on you, austin, I'll Tell you that for sure. But, austin, like I said, we are running down near the end of the episode. I give every guest this opportunity at the end of the show. I'm gonna give you about a minute. If there's anything you want to get out there, whether that's for fort cherry, whether it's just a good message, give me about a minute. Floor is yours.

Speaker 2 28:33

All right. Well, I mean, come down to uh mcdonald, pennsylvania on a friday night and seem to see some good high action football and uh, look for us to be in a state title game again next year. In her, she and Everybody you know love, even love one another, and uh, I don't know. All right, you're good?

Speaker 1 28:57

Yeah, absolutely so. Yeah, everyone, go and check out fort cherry high school and the, the junior varsity and everything like that. Uh, check them out. I will be following you, Austin, too, as well. I let every guest know this. Uh, anytime anybody is a coach, athlete or anything for any type of sports program, I do follow them since they've been on the show. It's kind of my way to give back.

Speaker 1 29:21

So Fort cherry is now on my uh, my long, extensive list of people to to follow, to keep tabs on, and I will be rooting for you guys here next season in the whip You'll for sure. All right, awesome. Thank you, not a problem, but that is going to do it for this week's episode of the ride home rance podcast. Again, I want to thank my guest, austin fitz, for taking time out of his day to come sit here and talk with us a little bit and get to know a little bit more about vegas and fort cherry, football as well. As Always, if you enjoyed the show, be a friend, tell a friend. If you didn't tell them anyways, they might like it just because you didn't. That's going to do it for me and I will see y'all next week.