Badger girls meet new coach
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June 3, 2013 |
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The Bonners Ferry High School varsity girls
basketball team had the opportunity to meet
their new head coach for next season for the
first time today, and he's a
certified sports fanatic who has long been
active in North Idaho athletics.
Chris Chatburn, Sandpoint, has been coaching at
various levels in Sandpoint since 1995,
including serving has head coach of the
Sandpoint JV program for several years.
And if you've listened to live coverage of
Badger sports on the radio for the past 18 years
or so, chances are Chris played a role, either
on the microphone or behind the scenes.
As operations manager of Blue Sky Broadcasting,
a group of independently-owned radio stations
based in Sandpoint, including Bonners Ferry's
KBFI, Chris works terrible hours, but they do
allow him to indulge his love of sports, as
coach, as sports fan and as possibly one of the
most engaging and irreverent sports reporters in
radio today, with a voice heard from Spokane to
Boundary County.
Sports fans have to tune in; non-sports nuts who
happen to catch a show often tune in for the
sheer entertainment value of his programs, which
teem with his wry humor and acerbic wit.
And while he covers sports in all its aspects,
from pro to pre-prep, what truly shines through
in his broadcasts is his absolute love of
watching, and helping, young players develop.
"I'm really excited about this opportunity,"
Chatburn said while his new team warmed up in
the background. "I've watched this program, and
I'm convinced this Badger team has what it takes
to be strong contenders in this league ... and I
don't think a shot at state is out of the
question. You've had some great coaches,
assistant coaches and great support, and we have
some real talent. I'm not going to look beyond
the next game, but I honestly think this team
have what it takes to go all the way."
He did admit though, that there's a lot of hard
work ahead.
"I'm coming in late," he said, "but I'm hoping
we'll have the chance to compete in four or five
tournaments this summer and attend a couple of
camps to keep in shape for the season."
While he's coaching varsity, he said, he can't
help but be involved in Badger girl's basketball
from elementary school, through junior high,
freshman and JV.
"You can't be a successful coach if you aren't
keeping an eye on the players coming your way,"
he said. "I'm not just building for next season.
I'm building for years ahead."
While Chris will be a new "face" on the sideline
to many in Boundary County next season, and
though his workday begins at 3 a.m. one thing is
almost certainly assured; as a journalist, his
Badgers will get the best news coverage ever.
"I didn't expect the whole Bonners Ferry media
contingent to be here!" he said with a laugh as
I and Herald reporter Laura Roady set up
cameras. "No matter what the season might bring,
I want all Badger fans to know how hard these
athletes are working to make their community
proud."
"Pictures on grandma's wall?" I asked.
"Mom and great grandma, too!" he said.
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