CLUB ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: TEXAS GLORY

Kevin Shelton is the Texas Glory founder and Texas Glory 18U head coach. He is currently the TFL Commission and a local USSSA director. McKinney, TX,-based Texas Glory has developed into one of the top club softball organizations in the Lone Star State and in the country.

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LINE DRIVE SOFTBALL: What’s your athletics background and how did you get to the point of leading the team/organization?

KEVIN SHELTON: I played football and ran track in high school. (I) stopped playing baseball at age 13 (years old). I have six kids, the four oldest are daughters (nine grand kids). I just began playing catch with them like most parents when they were little. I was a submariner and on Navy bases (that) only offered baseball, so my oldest two daughters played with the boys. Turns out playing with a small ball helped them learn to develop proper throwing mechanics. In 1997 at age 10, my oldest was noticed playing rec ball and she was asked to come play on a “select” team. I didn’t know what “select” was. I jumped in as an assistant coach, but quickly realized I had a lot to learn about mechanics, navigating games and managing a team. I was an assistant coach for two years before I took the helm of a 12U squad. We were not very good and it was difficult to find dedicated players. On Memorial Day of 2000, the idea of Texas Glory was born. Dan Adkins and I talked for hours at a pool in McKinney, TX, and soon after we were on the practice field. We led the club and coached together through the summer of 2007. When Dan moved away, sole leadership fell to me.

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LD SOFTBALL: When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?

KS: On Memorial Day of 2000, the idea of Texas Glory was born. Dan Adkins and I talked for hours at a pool in McKinney, TX. We both had situations that were suboptimal for our kids and our young athletes were of similar age. We discussed the idea of working together. The stuff he liked doing, I wasn’t interested in and vice versa. We started kicking around names and a color scheme and stumbled on the old ABA (Women’s Basketball) Atlanta Glory logo. At that time, there were no “Glorys.” I adapted the logo for softball and we started making t-shirts. Soon after we were on the practice field with our first 10U team.

LD SOFTBALL: Where are you based? Where do your athletes come from (all locally, some out of state?)?

KS: Based in McKinney, TX, our athletes come from all over. All over Texas, but mostly North Texas, OK, LA, AR and NM. We have had plenty of players from KS and once we had a player from KY. We don’t normally look for players from out of our area, we have a big population in DFW, but we do not turn away good athletes who come to us from far away.

LD SOFTBALL: What was the purpose of creating the team (showcase players, win titles, develop skills, etc.)?

KS: We created Texas Glory initially to improve the environment for our own kids. The same reason I suspect most of us got started doing this.

LD SOFTBALL: How many teams are there in the organization overall?

KS: Ninety-plus. Right now, we are in 14 states and 11 different areas in Texas.

LD SOFTBALL: What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?

KS: See our long and complete history of big tourney success here — Texas Glory Big Event Top Finishes.

LD SOFTBALL: What makes the organization unique?

KS: Not sure I think Texas Glory is unique — there are many very, very good clubs. We have outlined an approach we call the Texas Glory Way. It isn’t rocket science and we didn’t invent many of the precepts, but we find them to be a solid foundation from which to operate.

LD SOFTBALL: What is your primary focus or goal with this team/organization?

KS: BE YOUR BEST.

Our teams routinely compete in the most prestigious events in the country. The Texas Glory Softball Club and coaching staffs strive to attract players and parents with these common interests:

Promoting the game of fastpitch softball.

Creating an environment in which players can reach their full potential and achieve the self-confidence and positive self-esteem necessary to be successful both on and off the field.

Developing individual skills and team tactics to enable players and/or teams to compete at the national level.

Assisting all of our players in obtaining college scholarships.

The Texas Glory organization exists for the specific purpose of developing a competitive youth fastpitch softball program whose goals are to develop players capable of competing at the highest levels in the country with the demonstrated skills necessary to earn a college scholarship. Our dedicated coaches and volunteer staff facilitate our athletes’ growth by conducting challenging practices and scheduling the highest level of competitive activity available. Reaching these goals must be accomplished within the proper framework, instilling character, self-esteem, confidence and sportsmanship.

Achievement of these lofty and worthwhile objectives within the appropriate environment can only be reached through the mature behavior and exemplary conduct of the coaches and parents of the club. Their relationship with the players must be of the highest ethical and moral standards and be based upon concern and just principles that ensure equitable treatment will prevail in all circumstances.

An aggressive desire for victory combined with the procedural and graduated development of softball skills through exceptional coaching and advanced training techniques is of paramount importance. Additionally, everyone should realize that fastpitch softball is only a game and is the forum we use to help our athletes mature into responsible adults.

LD SOFTBALL: What do you think are the strengths of the team/organization?

KS: What I think we do well is attract like-minded leaders and families. Folks who understand and are interested in a “team” approach to things tend to thrive in our environment. An atmosphere of “selfless service” helps our athletes mold into the type of people we are focused on developing. They understand that team success optimizes individual success. Additionally, we really emphasize the details of each position and the game. Couple a detailed approach with a mental focus on staying in the moment and just being our best on each pitch and we get well-prepared young humans.

We are often asked, “to what would we attribute our sustained success?” Two primary things: The cadre of great people that embraced the Texas Glory Way as it tries to help kids and their families and creating an internal-competitive environment.

LD SOFTBALL: If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?

KS: (I) think we are similar to many other clubs who have success. We have great folks who are dedicated to helping kids become their best and prepare for college and life after softball.

LD SOFTBALL: Was there a former coach, player or person in the organization who has passed that has left a major impression on your team/organization and why?

KS: Tracy Beard. Tracy coached for many years, his last five with us at the 18U level. (He was) the model of selfless service. He was a tremendous coach that the players loved. Tracy was a great teacher, but also held the players and other coaches to the highest standards. (He was) willing to do the dirty work and provide strategic leadership for the club. He was integral to our success and set the stage and helped build the foundation for the club’s future.