The two local head football coaches-Jamie Opfer of Seward High and Patrick Daberkow addressed the membership of the Seward Rotary Club on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at the noon Rotary Club meeting held in the auditorium of the Jones Bank in Seward. Fellowship, lunch and a brief business meeting preceded the program. The coaches were introduced by the Rotarian of the Month and Seward Rotary President Kurth Brashear. He introduced both coaches-Jamie Opfer –Seward High Head Football Coach and Patrick Daberkow-Seward’s Concordia University Head Football Coach.
The two local head football coaches-Jamie Opfer of Seward High and Patrick Daberkow addressed the membership of the Seward Rotary Club on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at the noon Rotary Club meeting held in the auditorium of the Jones Bank in Seward. Fellowship, lunch and a brief business meeting preceded the program. The coaches were introduced by the Rotarian of the Month and Seward Rotary President Kurth Brashear. He introduced both coaches-Jamie Opfer –Seward High Head Football Coach and Patrick Daberkow-Seward’s Concordia University Head Football Coach.
Jamie Opfer
Football Coach, Jamie Opfer, is the head football coach at Seward High and teaches Physical Education, Health and Wellness and Strength Training at Seward High besides his coaching duties. Opfer attended Concordia University and played football for the CU Bulldogs. He thanked the Seward Rotary for their various activities of service to the community and expressed appreciation for the work of the club, supporting all areas of the community.
Opfer attended Geneva High school and spoke on the value of athletics in his life. He stated that because of athletics, he was first driven to succeed in academics, as athletics was an avenue to academics. It was because of athletics he first was driven to attend college and earn an education. He soon realized the value of education and that it was the result of many individuals that he has achieved the success he enjoys athletically today!
He shared many stories, speaking of successes he has assisted over the years and feels he lives the motto of “You influence the team in a positive way!” He enjoys coaching, as it allows him even more contact time with the students, in the classroom and with his football and wellness program.
His football program features “The Four Corners of Manhood!” Those corner points include 1.) Respect for all people, 2.)Respect for all women, 3.) To always do the right thing-living with principles and 4.) To live a life that matters-to do your best to reach your potential. One primary goal is to teach the young men to believe in themselves.
His first goal is to get the players to know their assignments and learn and execute the plays correctly. He said he has 15 seniors and 47 on the team, with 27 strong, outstanding freshman! Seward is part of the Central Ten Conference.
Opfer praised and thanked his dedicated, supporting, assistant coaches and staff, along with the SHS Administration for their continued assistance with the any and all requests and the many volunteers that work to make the entire program a success. The first SHS football game is against Waverly and is away with only four home games this year.
He noted that while he lost a very strong group of talented seniors last year to graduation, he has more seniors this year and while they lost a strong offense, this team has a defense that is much stronger and they will more than “hold their own” in every game! He looks forward to a successful, fun year of football.
Jamie is married to Shanna Opfer and they have three children-Korbin, Addison and Trevin.
Patrick Daberkow
CU Head Football Coach, Patrick Daberkow, is originally from Madison, NE and attended CU in Seward and was a leader on the Bulldog football team. Football has always been a priority in his life and he participated in every sport while at Madison. He spoke on his career and credited his former HS Athletic Director and Assistant Principal –Steve Boyer, now of Seward, with believing in him and guiding/instilling him with directions that have stayed with him even today. He has an Education Degree with a Coaching Endorsement from Concordia University and a Master’s Degree in Education.
With Patrick, “Football was the carrot at the end of the stick” and it was athletics and football particularly that allowed him an education. He, of course, soon learned the value of education, both on the field and in the classroom. Football represents opportunity for a college education and an education in life experiences as well. He claims that this being Head Football Coach at CU his “dream job” and gives him an opportunity to interact with faculty, staff, and students.
He noted that football teaches delayed gratification-with life’s lessons coming into play as well. He quoted the Bible verse-John 1:5 where “Light shines in darkness” and that often happens in football. He is a promoter of the Daniel Flynn book “The War On Football-Saving America’s Game!” He stressed that “Football is Worth It” and many values result from participating in the game.
He spoke on his philosophy of “Accountability, Toughness and Authenticity!” He feels Accountability is showing up and working hard, dealing with work ethic, and Toughness is simply being prepared, while Authenticity is living by truth. He feels “Mental Toughness” is something that can be taught and he tries to instill that in all of his players, as he “builds men for Christ and yet drives them to want to win!”
Daberkow stressed that much can be learned from the “locker room experience!” In many ways, life mirrors what happens in the locker room and on the football field and society can learn from it.
He publicly wanted to thank his assistant coaches, staff and the CU administration for the support and help with keeping the CU Football program strong and very competitive in their Conference. He felt that the CU facilities are some of the best in the conference for a small university and he thanked the support of the community, who helped make those facilities happen.
His goal and the team goal is to win their conference title and he sadly noted that his is one of the few teams where they all stand for the National Anthem. The CU football team has 140 on the roster, suiting up for the first game and enjoys every one of the 13 seniors on the CU football team.
He commented on the outstanding quality of players on his time from the Seward and Centennial High Schools and stressed the value of recruiting local, area players from all of Southeast Nebraska. Daberkow is married to his wife Emly (Hartmann), also a CU graduate and they have three children-two girls and a son. They reside in Seward and enjoy the Nebraska good life.
Questions and answers followed their joint statements and presentation. Both coaches felt that football has never been safer and shared statistics comparing football with other activities.