Dinerpod 33: Jason Fulton-Newton High School Football & Baseball Coach

What does it mean to be a "Newton Eagle through and through"? In this episode, Red Velvet sits down with Jason Fulton, the dual-sport head coach leading both the Football and Baseball programs at Newton High School. Coach Fulton takes us on a journey from his roots in Jasper County to his time playing college ball under Chicago Bears legend Leslie Frazier at Trinity International University.

In this episode, we dive into:

The Power of Mentorship: How legends like Bob Horst molded Fulton’s coaching philosophy and why he chose to wait seven years as an assistant for his dream job rather than taking head coaching gigs elsewhere.

The "Brotherhood" Culture: A look at why "The Eagle Way" prioritizes character and team over individual stats, and how Fulton balances coaching his own sons on the gridiron.

Small Town Grit: Stories from the early days of coaching, including 6:00 AM winter workouts, 15-mile baby-sitting runs, and the discipline it takes to stay in the game for nearly 30 years.

History & Rivalry: From the "violent" disbanded teams of the early 1900s to the modern-day clashes with rivals like Richland County (Olney).

Whether you’re a coach, a former athlete, or just a fan of high school sports history, this conversation is a tribute to the coaches who stay, the communities that support them, and the legacy of Newton football.

"Once an Eagle, always an Eagle."

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#football #baseball #footballcoach #baseballcoach #dinerpodsports

Dinerpod #32 Aubrey Bartkowiak

"I just have a mission. I’m on a mission to win that state title."

In this episode of the Dinerpod, we sit down with a true pioneer of the mat: Aubrey Bartkowiak, the IHSAA Girls Wrestling Heavyweight State Champion from Attica High School.

Aubrey joins us to share her incredible four-year journey—from stepping into a wrestling room for the first time as a freshman (and crying on day one!) to becoming the first four-time state qualifier in her school's history. She opens up about the physical and mental hurdles of the sport, including shedding over 100 pounds to get healthy and finding the "championship mindset" required to reach the top of the podium.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Surreal Feeling of Gold: Aubrey describes the moment she realized she finally reached her goal after placing 2nd, 5th, and 3rd in previous years.

Overcoming the "Target": How she managed the pressure of being a top-ranked athlete and why her senior year felt different.

The State Final Turnaround: A play-by-play of her championship match, where she fought back from a 10-3 deficit in the third period to secure the pin.

Pioneering Girls Wrestling: Her perspective on watching the sport explode in popularity and becoming a role model for the next generation.

What’s Next: Her commitment to wrestle at the D-II level for Point Park University in Pittsburgh and her upcoming schedule at Nationals and Fargo.

Mental Health & Motivation: How the memory of her friend Ray fueled her "mission" this season and the importance of a strong support system.

Aubrey’s Advice to Young Athletes: > "Don't give up. When you feel like giving up, don't do it. You need to push yourself until you absolutely know there’s nothing left in the tank."

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#wrestling #statechampion #girlswrestling #highschoolwrestling #dinerpodsports

Dinerpod #31: Lucas Steward-Clay City Boys Basketball Coach

In this episode, Red Velvet hits the studio with Lucas Steward, the newly minted head basketball coach for the Clay City Eels. A Terre Haute South and Indiana State alum, Coach Steward opens up about his journey from a "no-engineering-degree-required" elementary ed major to leading a program with a rich winning tradition.

Steward shares insights into his "thrown into the fire" philosophy for a young Eels squad, the lessons he carried over from coaching football under local legends, and why he’s trading "bubbles" (carbonation) for high-energy transition offense.

What’s inside this episode:

The Transition: Moving from Riverton Parke to the fifth-grade classrooms and the "Eel Dome" at Clay City.

Gridiron Roots: How playing tight end at South shaped his perspective on leadership and toughness.

The GOAT Debate: Why The Last Dance is essential viewing and Michael Jordan remains the undisputed king in Stewart's eyes.

The Road Ahead: A preview of the Clay City Classic and the highly anticipated "Battle of Clay County" against Northview.Pregame Rituals: From mall Chinese food to "Rehab Monsters," we look at what gets a coach ready for Friday night lights.

Whether you're a die-hard Eels fan or just love the atmosphere of Indiana small-town hoops, this conversation captures the passion and grit of a coach ready to make his mark on the SWIAC.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Wabash Valley Plumbing

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#basketball #basketballseason #basketballcoach #highschoolbasketball #coaching #teaching #educating #dinerpodsports #dinerverse #youthsporschowdown