When it comes to a coaching philosophy, Steve Forbes knows the importance of student-athletes hitting the books before hitting the court.
The East Tennessee State University men’s basketball coach, along with Senior Associate Athletic Director Scott Carter, came across the county line Tuesday afternoon to speak with members of the Kiwanis Club of Elizabethton about basketball, ETSU and the importance of preparing children for the future.
Coming off a 2017 season that saw the Buccaneers earn a Southern Conference championship and bid into in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, David LeVeau, Kiwanis Club president, said it was important to hear from local representation that continues to play a key part in the region — in more ways than just the hardwood.
“ETSU is one of the extension of postgraduate education in the community, it brings a lot to the community,” LeVeau said. “We’re thrilled to have Scott Carter and Coach Forbes to speak here with us today about their contribution not only to ETSU but being able to pull in the community for their support and to talk about their own outreach as well. Just yesterday, they had an outreach down at East Side. It’s things like that that gather community support for their program and it’s a great contribution for them to reach out to Elizabethton and the Tri-Cities area.”
Prior to Forbes’ speech, Carter addressed attendees about the happenings at ETSU and the importance of reaching out to the community.
And there was reason to celebrate the ’Buc Pride, Carter said, with the three-quarters of the 388 student-athletes making the honor roll and one-third being named to the ETSU Dean’s List.
It all comes down to hard work, according to Forbes. When the head coach took the podium, he alluded to the fact of holding different jobs before coaching allowed him to learn the true fruits of hard work.
“I was raised to treat people the way I’d like to be treated,” he said.
Forbes went on talk about his different stints as an assistant coach through his 27 years of coaching. Before taking over the ETSU position two years ago, Forbes made a name for himself at different schools, like Wichita State and the University of Tennessee as an assistant coach and recruiter.
“My biggest job (at ETSU) is to help our players turn their dreams into reality,” he said.
The head coach went on to add that his six seniors will be graduating with a degree and spoke fondly of his past players that went on to have different jobs — including one player working on the website for President Donald Trump and another being a president of a BAR association.
While the wins are important, the overriding factor is producing the players into high-functioning members in society. Recalling last Monday’s event at East Side, where players encouraged children to read, the head coach added it wasn’t about the publicity, but it’s something his players needed to do for the community.
For residents looking to show off their ’Buc Pride, Carter added that the school is seeking 1911 graduates of diehard football fans to take part in a wall located at the new ETSU football field currently under construction on campus. Individuals can pay $111 to be recognized on the wall and be part of the football program moving forward.
Individuals can contact Carter by email at cartersn@etsu.edu or call (423) 439-5889.
Forbes is the first of two well-known guests the Kiwanis Club will welcome during the month of April with Senator Lamar Alexander coming to the county.
Along with the busy schedule, the Kiwanis Club is preparing for their annual flag sale for businesses. Businesses will have the opportunity to don an American flag, provided by Kiwanis, during different holidays throughout the year to show their support for the county. Members take time out of their schedule to hang the flags at each participating business. Any business owners looking to have a flag placed outside their business can with a $40 donation the first year. The following year is only a $20 donation.
LeVeau added the proceeds raised from the initiative go toward the club’s annual special needs picnic in May. Each year, according to the president, the club provides school children and families a day of food, fresh air and fun with the members providing the items for the event.
Business owners can go about snagging a flag by contacting members Bill Fryar or Danny Smith. For more information, visit the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club Facebook page.