HISTORY REPEATS: SHRINE BOWL HEAD COACHES WILL COACH THEIR SONS
It is not that unusual for coaches in the Kansas Shrine Bowl to have one of their sons playing for them. It happened twice in 2005, with the Tom and Nick Stringer (Hayden) and Walt and Blake Alexander (Atchison County) participating as dad-and-player combos for the East Squad. But for only the second time in the 32-year history of state’s premiere All-Star football event, both head coaches will have the opportunity to coach their sons for one last time in a football game. Head coach Bob Lisher (Lawrence Free State) of the East will call on his son, Brett Lisher, an all-6A wide receiver for the Firebirds. Across the gridiron, West head coach Marvin Diener (Salina South/Gardner Edgerton) will have the services of all-state selection David Diener, a linebacker-fullback for the defending 5A state champion Salina Central Mustangs. The only other time both head coaches had sons playing for them in a Shrine Bowl was in 1988. Roger Barta (Smith Center) coached his son Brooks Barta, while John Garber (Sabetha) coached his son Matt. Ironically, Brooks Barta and Matt Garber both played football at Kansas State University, where they became roommates. Brooks Barta is himself a head coach (Holton), and has served as a coach in the Shrine Bowl. Both 2006 head coaches will be serving as Shrine Bowl head coaches for the first time, but both have served as assistant coaches in two previous games, including 2005. Lisher was an assistant coach in 1997, Diener in 1990. Although both Brett Lisher and David Diener played regularly on both sides of the ball in high school, the two coach’s sons have taken slightly different paths to their football success. The Kansas Football Coach’s Association (KFBCA) in 2005 named Lisher as a wide receiver. His athletic future, however, may lie in baseball, where he has achieved some success already as an outfielder and power hitter. His 6th inning home run in the 6A state championship game against Maize was a game-winner in the Firebird’s 6-5 title win. Lisher has signed a baseball scholarship at Allen County Community College. Diener, on the other hand, has had much of his success as a linebacker, although he was a key performer as a fullback on offense for the 13-0 Mustangs. He is Central’s career leader in tackles with 243, 57 of those for losses. He enjoyed a stellar senior season with 97 tackles, (31 for losses), 5 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries. In his high school careers, he owns two of the top six tackles in Mustang history. He was a Top 11 pick by the KFBCA in 2005, and is an Emporia State University signee. Bob Lisher is excited about coaching his son for one last time in what could be Brett’s last football game. And he’s happy to be named the head coach of the Kansas Shrine Bowl. “It’s an honor to be chosen to be part of something of this magnitude,” he says, “and I’m happy to have the opportunity.” Proceeds from the game support the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, a network of 22 hospitals that provide expert, no-cost orthopedic and burn care to children under 18. Advance reserved chairback tickets are $20.00 in advance, $21.00 on game night. Adult general admission tickets are $9.00 in advance, $10.00 on game night. Student tickets are $5.00 in advance, $6.00 on game night. Banquet tickets are $20.00, and must be purchased in advance. Advance game tickets and banquet tickets can be purchased through the Shrine Bowl office by calling 1-800-530-5524 Additional information and a link to Shriners Hospitals for Children can be found at http://www.ksshrine.com |