Meet the Coaches: Steve Mirizzi - Baseball

How long have you been coaching baseball, including your time at Plainfield?

13 years and 1st year at Plainfield.

Why do you coach baseball?

Baseball has been part of my life since a kid. I love the game and love to compete. After playing in college I got into coaching at the high school level and fell in love with it. Baseball has introduced so many great people into my life over the years, and I hope that I can make the same positive impact to those I've had the opportunity to coach. 

What has been your proudest or most memorable coaching moment?

Most memorable moment was my first season as a head coach making it to Semi State for the first time in program history. 

What has support from the Red Pride Booster Club meant to your program?

Red Pride Booster Club means so much to not only our program but all our athletic programs. We are so fortunate to have them and their support to give our student athletes a great experience here at Plainfield.  

What does success look like for the baseball team this season?

Building a winning culture. Our goals will always be to compete for a Mid State Championship, Sectional Championship, and ultimately a State Championship. After a 6 win season prior, having a winning season and a chance to compete for a sectional title would be a great foundation to building a winning culture.

Meet the Coaches: Brian Pelkey - Track & Field

How long have you been coaching track & field, including your time at Plainfield?

I have coached Track and Field Boys for 42 years - 20 years as an Assistant to Dave Teany, 1 year as Asst. to Howard Conley, and I have been the Boys head Coach for 21 years. I have been the Girls Head Coach for 11 years.

Why do you coach track & field?

I love it and I enjoy watching the athletes improve throughout the season 

What has been your proudest or most memorable coaching moment?

Winning the 2022 Boys IHSAA State Championship and multiple Mid-State Conference Championships for both Boys and Girls.

What has support from the Red Pride Booster Club meant to your program?

We have a lot of athletes on the Boys and Girls Track and Field team that benefit from the 3 and 4 year awards and we have had several Track and Field Athletes receive the Red Pride Scholarships. 

What does success look like for the track & field team this season?

Just getting better and improving every meet.  If we can do that we have a chance to win the Mid-State Conference Meets and put ourselves in position to possibly win another State Championship.

Meet the Coaches: Jessica Breidinger - Unified Track & Field

How long have you been coaching unified track & field, including your time at Plainfield?

I have been a Unified Track coach for approximately 5 years and have been at Plainfield for 12.

Why do you coach unified track & field?

Unified is an awesome program for our Life Skills and Basic Skills students to participate in a competitive high school sport.

What has been your proudest or most memorable coaching moment?

The most memorable moments are when everyone is cheering on a student to finish their race. It doesn't matter if they are from a different team and the last one on the track. EVERYONE will encourage and cheer on the athlete!

What does success look like for the unified track & field team this season?

For our team, success is the students participating and enjoying every meet and performing to the best of their abilities.

Meet the Coaches: Bill Crays - Boys Golf

How long have you been coaching golf, including your time at Plainfield?

11 years of coaching golf

Why do you coach golf?

I coach golf for the reward of watching the young men grow into adulthood. I try to help mentor them to be the best versions of themselves for their future. 

What has been your proudest or most memorable coaching moment?

I have so many proud moments from all of my players it’s hard to pick just one. The thing that I cherish the most was being able to coach my son in the state finals.

What has support from the Red Pride Booster Club meant to your program?

The team greatly benefits on the quality of courses the kids get to play from the generosity of the booster club by way of the invitational tournaments they pay for! 

What does success look like for the boys golf team this season?

I am proud of our kids cohesion and culture to succeed we have developed to bring on lifelong lessons and friendships! Plus we’re playing some great golf early in the year.

Meet the Coaches: Brad Beaman - Softball

How long have you been coaching softball, including your time at Plainfield?

I have been coaching Softball for over 20 years.

Why do you coach softball?

I love the game, it’s fast, challenging and teaches life skills.

What has been your proudest or most memorable coaching moment?

In 2012, we won the State Championship.

What has support from the Red Pride Booster Club meant to your program?

It means a lot knowing if we need anything they have our backs always supporting us! 

What does success look like for the softball team this season?

We are young; however, we are talented. Once we gain some experience and confidence, I think we will be fine.