In Episode 40 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and Adrenaline Fundraising, host Kerry Martin welcomes former Marion Wildcat and FCA Area Representative Austin Dickson to Crown Brew Coffee in Marion, Illinois. A standout athlete at Marion High School, Austin earned All-State honors as an offensive lineman under Coach Martin before continuing his football career at Southern Illinois University. After injuries cut his playing days short, he found new purpose in coaching and ministry, serving as a youth pastor and coaching football at Marion and Benton High Schools. Now, through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he mentors young athletes and coaches, helping them grow as leaders both on and off the field. In this episode, Austin and Coach Martin discuss the lessons learned from the game, the role of faith in sports, and the impact of mentorship. They also look ahead to events like the Southern Illinois FCA Fundraiser Banquet in April. It’s a conversation about football, faith, and finding purpose beyond the game.

In Episode 39 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and Adrenaline Fundraising, host Kerry Martin, Marion's legendary high school football coach, sits down with Darrick Borum, one of the most accomplished athletes in Marion history, at the Crown Brew Coffee Shop in Marion, Illinois. Borum, a standout football player at Marion High School where he earned All-South and First-Team All-Conference honors as both a wide receiver and defensive force, shares insights from his high school career, including his role in leading the Wildcats to a 10-3 record. He also talks about his time at Southeast Missouri State, where he became a three-year starting linebacker and played on their 2010 team, in which is in the SEMO Hall of Fame. He earned OVC Defensive Player of the Week honors and was named College Sporting News FCS National All-Star of the Week. After his playing career, Borum returned to Marion as a coach and now runs Borum Roof Company while raising five kids with his wife, Molly. Tune in for an engaging conversation that spans Borum's athletic achievements, coaching journey, and how he's giving back to his community.

In Episode 38 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and Adrenaline Fundraising, our host and legendary high school football coach, Kerry Martin sits down via Zoom with Derek Leonard, head football coach at Rochester High School. Leonard has built one of Illinois’ premier high school football programs, leading the Rockets to multiple state championships while surpassing 200 career victories. The son of Hall of Fame coach Ken Leonard—Illinois’ all-time winningest high school football coach—Derek has followed in his father’s footsteps, crafting one of the state’s most explosive offenses. Under his leadership, Rochester has consistently dominated both the regular season and the playoffs. Beyond the X’s and O’s, Leonard is deeply involved in mentoring and leadership programs within the Rochester community. He credits his success to the players, coaches, and mentors who shaped his journey. Off the field, he shares his life with his wife, Lindsey, and their two children, Blake and Austin. Don’t miss this conversation with one of Illinois’ top high school football coaches!

In Episode 37 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and Adrenaline Fundraising, our host and legendary high school football coach, Kerry Martin, sits down with Marion High School Track and Field and Cross Country coaches—Chico Castellano, Glen Gibbons, and Scott Gill. For 46 years, Glen Gibbons shaped Marion High School’s track and field program, coaching 27 All-State athletes and future Olympians. A Marion native and co-founder of the Swamp Fox youth track club, he dedicated his life to mentoring young athletes, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the sport and community. Chico Castellano, longtime pole vault coach, took over as head boys track & field coach in 2021, leading the program to several successful seasons before stepping into his current role as assistant coach under newly hired Eli Baker. Scott Gill took over as Marion’s cross country coach in 2022, guiding the Wildcats to a historic state championship—the first ever for a Southern Illinois team. He also coached record-breaking runner Dylon Nalley, now competing at Indiana University. Don’t miss this episode with three incredible coaches!

In Episode 36 of 'Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee,' presented by the Swinford Media Group and Adrenaline Fundraising, our host and legendary high school football coach, Kerry Martin, sits down with Hall of Fame broadcaster and longtime Voice of the SIU Salukis, Mike Reis, at the Crown Brew Coffee Shop in Marion, Illinois. A 1978 SIU Radio-TV graduate, Reis called many of the greatest moments in the history of Saluki Athletics, including the 1983 I-AA National Championship football season, men's basketball trips to the Sweet 16 in 2002 and 2007, and the 1977 College World Series as a student broadcaster. In total, he called 501 SIU football games and 1,325 Saluki basketball games. This episode highlights Reis's remarkable career, from his beginnings at WSIU Radio and WSIU-TV in 1975 to his tenure as a full-time sportscaster at WCIL Radio starting in 1978. Along the way, he earned countless accolades, including the prestigious 2024 Woody Durham Voice of College Sports Award. Reis also shares reflections on the great coaches he interacted with throughout his career, offering unique insights into their impact on Saluki Athletics. Be sure to tune in to this engaging conversation!

We’re back from our holiday break! In Episode 35 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and Adrenaline Fundraising, host Kerry Martin sits down with Kerri Blaylock, the all-time winningest coach in both Southern Illinois University softball and Saluki Athletics history, at the Crown Brew Coffee Shop in Marion, Illinois. A native of Herrin, Illinois, Blaylock reflects on her legendary career at SIU, where she compiled a 751-413-1 record and led the Salukis to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including five-straight trips from 2003 to 2007. She guided SIU to the 2021 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title and 18 30-win seasons, including a program-best 47 wins in 2005. Her teams consistently ranked among the nation’s best in team GPA, with 11 top-five finishes since 2001. Blaylock became the fastest coach in MVC history to reach 500 wins and later became SIU’s all-time winningest coach in 2018. In 2024, she joined John A. Logan Softball as a volunteer assistant coach. In this engaging conversation, Kerry and Kerri discuss her incredible journey, the moments that defined her coaching career, and her lasting legacy in Southern Illinois softball. Tune in for an inspiring look into the life of one of the sport’s most influential coaches.

In Episode 34 of “Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee,” presented by the Swinford Media Group and Adrenaline Fundraising, our host Kerry Martin sits down with long-time hitting instructor and baseball coach Bob Simpson. Currently the assistant baseball coach at the United States Sports Academy, Simpson brings over 35 years of collegiate playing and coaching experience to the table. A Harrisburg, Illinois native, Simpson's baseball journey began at Southeastern Illinois College, where he earned two all-conference selections and an all-region nod, before continuing at the University of Arkansas - Little Rock. After his playing days, Simpson’s coaching career took him from Southeastern Illinois to Berry College, where his teams achieved 4th and 7th place finishes nationally in the NAIA. He later founded Future Swings Hitting Academy in Marion, Illinois, mentoring over 500 athletes who advanced to play collegiate baseball or softball. His impressive resume includes serving as an Associate Scout for the New York Mets, throwing batting practice for the St. Louis Cardinals, and working with MLB hitters at Frozen Ropes Hitting Facility in Arizona. Simpson has also made an impact as Head Baseball Coach at Rend Lake College, where 12 of his players moved on to four-year schools. He founded Hit Repair Hitting Academy in Marion, worked with Next Level Instructional Baseball in Nashville, and coached in the Nashville Knights organization. For the past two summers, he served as hitting coach for the Thrillville Thrillbillies in the Prospect League, helping the team secure two division championships. In addition to coaching on the field, Simpson has spent over 15 years working the baseball camp circuit, including camps at Vanderbilt University, the University of Illinois, and Southern Illinois University. He has even traveled to Puerto Rico to coach an American team. Don't miss this fascinating conversation with one of the most experienced baseball minds in the game!

In Episode 33 of “Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee,” presented by the Swinford Media Group and Adrenaline Fundraising, our host Kerry Martin sits down with Benton High School’s head football coach, Justin Groves. A Benton native, Groves grew up in a coal miner’s household, where he learned the meaning of hard work early on. As a student-athlete, he shined on the football field and in track, competing during a golden era of Benton football under Coach Jeff Roper. He played a key role on Benton’s first-ever playoff team in the 1995-96 season, highlighted by an upset victory over top-ranked Robinson in the opening round. After high school, Groves played football at Millikin University before transitioning to a career in education and coaching. He returned to Benton as an assistant coach under Jeff Roper, later joined Marion’s staff for a season with our host, Kerry Martin, and eventually served at Johnston City under Dan Mings. In 2018, Groves took the reins as Benton’s head coach, leading the program to remarkable success. Over seven seasons, he’s earned a 47-23 record, won four conference titles, made five playoff appearances, and twice been named Coach of the Year, including during the COVID spring season and in Fall 2021. He also guided Benton to the quarterfinals in both 2021 and this season. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation as Justin Groves shares his journey, achievements, and dedication to Benton football!