Coach Profile: Chad Cross

Age: 49

Occupation: head rodeo coach at Fort Scott Community College

Hometown: Fort Scott

Education: FSCC associates degree; bachelor of science in agriculture economics from Oklahoma State University; master's of teaching from Northeast Oklahoma State University.

Background: Raised on a ranch in south central Kansas. "I was out of school for three years then came to FSCC to school...worked for Oklahoma State University, then came here and have been here ever since," he said.

Family: Wife, Jennifer Cross, teaches second grade at Winfield Scott; Jaice, his daughter, 18, who is a first year student at FSCC; Jake, age 16, a sophomore at Fort Scott High School, and Seth, an 8th grader.

Interests: "Trying to raise a few cattle and a few horses."

Coaching philosophy: "To give everyone an equal opportunity to become unequal. Everyone comes with an opportunity to do great things. I can influence them, but it's up to them. They have the opportunity to succeed and be consistent. I've got to show the students I care, as a person, not just as a rodeo athlete."

Challenges in coaching: "I think the world of young adults, but they don't know how hard they are going to have to work to be competitive at this level...they've got to understand they can win a bunch, and not place. Having a great performance is what you are after. They think they have to be first, or they didn't succeed."

Joys in coaching: "Seeing people achieve more than what they thought possible...seeing kids do well."

Do you know a coach who deserves to be profiled? Contact Lifestyle Editor Loretta George at lgeorge@fstribune.com.