Friendly Encounters: Jim Strong, John Witte, Dana Dixon and Ryan Andrews

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series about friends who have met celebrities.

This Friendly Encounter is a hodgepodge of worlds colliding.  The Chicago Bliss, Johngy's Beat, Resistance Pro and a photographer friend combined for a fun night.
The Chicago Bliss "invaded" RPro in the summer of 2014.  That was one of the most fun nights I ever had at RPro.  It was also a bit surreal.  I am happy to have had a hand in putting those two great organizations together.
Assistant Coach Ryan Andrews showed his support by arriving in Johngy gear.  Long-time convention colleague, photographer Jim Strong also wore the Johngy shirt.  That's a lot of orange and a lot of Johngy.  I snapped the photo below, which also included Assistant Coach John Witte and Bliss player Dana Dixon.
These are good people and I am proud to call them friends.  These are also people who have become friends with each other.  Worlds colliding, worlds meshing.

Jim Strong, Dana Dixon, John Witte and Ryan Andrews in Willowbrook, IL-July 2014.

Chicago Bliss Look For Second Win

The Chicago Bliss beat the Atlanta Steam 27-24 in the Legends Football League Season Opener.  My game recap can be found at Chicago Bliss Defeat Atlanta Steam on Tru School Sports.

This Saturday, April 25, the Bliss host the Omaha Heart at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL.  Omaha is coming off of an 86-0 pounding courtesy of the Steam.  The Bliss should handle the Heart easily, but I don't expect Coach Keith Hac to run up the score like Atlanta did.

Hac and his coaching staff are true professionals.  I have written about them many times and they deserve all of the publicity they get and more.

The coaches are unsung heroes.  In a league that was founded as the Lingerie Football League, the emphasis is not usually on the coaching staff.  Yet, it is the coaching staff which put the Bliss team in the position to win back-to-back LFL titles.

The Bliss coaching staff often gets criticized for having a one dimensional team.  While it is true that Coach Hac likes to run ChrisDell Harris a lot, I would hardly call the team one dimensional.  I will also say if this team is so one dimensional, why can't anyone beat them these days?  The Bliss is 11-1-1 since the start of the 2013 season.  I wish the Chicago Bears were that one dimensional.

John Witte and me in Bridgeview, IL-March 2015.

On the Beat at Resistance Pro's "The Mob Rules"

Every Resistance Pro Wrestling show is a fun event, but "The Mob Rules" was a special night and not because of the wrestling.  This night belonged to Emily Anne Lundvall.
Emily is a friend of RPro and a Special Olympian.  She recently won gold and silver medals and the folks at RPro decided to honor her with a special award presentation.  The applause for Emily rivaled that of any wrestler and brought chills to everyone there.  It truly was a wonderful night.

I was proud to get interviews with Kathy Lundvall, Emily's mother, and Aaron Hirthe, Emily's coach.  Each spoke of what this all means to them and Emily.

I got my first interview with "Simply Sexy" Shawn Blaze, a relative newcomer to RPro.  Hopefully this is the first of many as he climbs the RPro ladder.

Marshe Rockett has been climbing the RPro ladder for a while and he is poised near the top.  Special Correspondent Jonathan McMahon interviewed Mr. M80.

I also finally got an interview with "The Inspiration" Brady Pierce.  The strong, quiet member of Body Magic seems to have a bright future at RPro and we discussed plenty of topics.

RPro's very own Eric St. Vaughn took over the interview duties and landed Chicago Bliss coaches John Witte and Ryan Andrews, along with Bliss star Dana Lorraine.  The RPro-Bliss connection has been a fun one for all.  We are looking forward to celebrating their next LFL title at a future RPro show.

Lastly, I got a special interview with Justin King of King Cobra.  Justin gave me a rare calm look at his career to this point.  All was going well, until his brother Head Referee Robert King appeared.  Then things got real interesting.
I hope you enjoy these videos.  I hope you come to "The Real Thing" this Sunday.  You will not be disappointed!

On the Beat at Resistance Pro's "Savage Amusement"

Resistance Pro's "Savage Amusement" was another great night filled with awesome wrestling.  R Pro continues to live up to the high standards they set.

JohngysBeat.com scored a few key interviews.  Special Cotrrespondent Jonathan McMahon talked to the newly-freed Suge D.  This was a lot of fun an featured a quick cameo by Mad Man Pondo and some very shiny pants on Suge D.

Another Special Correspondent made his triumphant return.  JayHawk Evans talked to Eric St. Vaughn of Body Magic.  Even after a long night of action, ESV still gave us his time to discuss the latest Body Magic news.

I thought I was interviewing Cobra, but Justin King, his new manager, interrupted and took over.  Apparently this is a new era for Cobra.

I also had a good interview going with the lovely and mysterious Miss Prig, until the overbearing Colonel Jesse Corgan saw us and put an immediate stop to it.  Still, we got a little insight from Miss Prig.

I did manage to get a full interview from Paloma Starr, the winner of the recent Sam Thompson Memorial Tournament.  Starr was getting a title shot later in the evening.
Last, Eric St. Vaughn took over the interview duties and talked to Chicago Bliss Assistant Coach John Witte.  The Bliss and R Pro are developing a solid relationship and mutual admiration society.
This is just a slice of the fun at the R Pro shows.  I am so excited about the next R Pro show, Friday, June 13.  "Deliverance" will certainly deliver.  I'll be there and you should, too!

On the Beat with Chicago Bliss Assistant Coaches Ryan Andrews and John Witte

Assistant Coaches John Witte and Ryan Andrews are two of the unsung heroes of the Chicago Bliss.  They each have specific responsibilities, but each goes well beyond those "assigned" duties.  Basically, they do whatever is needed to help the Bliss en route to another title.

I really like Ryan and John (don't tell them that...I will never hear the end of it).  They are good guys, good coaches and just simply good for the team.  They are also good interviews.

Prior to their recent season opener, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing both at the same time.  Handling these heavy hitter was no easy task (especially when they tried smashing me (twice).  It's all part of the fun of this team.

I enjoyed this interview immensely.  It represents all things good with the Bliss.  Here are two knowledgeable coaches having fun with the beat reporter.  It's not all a joke, though.  Their intensity comes through as they speak of the game.  There is no fooling around there.  Then when the interview ends, right back to the smashing.

They have a time to play and a time to be serious.  Once that whistle blew, the entire team got really serious and played one great game against the Los Angeles Temptation.

Thank you to Coach Andrews and Coach Witte for your time and consideration.  Congrats on win #1 and good luck as you prepare for the second game (which is on Friday, June 13 at the Sears Centre).  As usual, after you watch the interview, I highly encourage everyone to check out the Bliss.

Bliss Assistant Coach Witte Walks the Line

Okay, actually Assistant Coach John Witte coaches the offensive line.  I got a little cute with the title and Coach Witte should chop block me for it.

Actually Coach Witte wouldn't chop block, nor would he teach it.  He doesn't have the need.  He teaches plays the right way.'

Coach Witte embraced JohngysBeat.com when we started covering the Bliss.  Let's be honest, I have a lot of fun with this, but I know I am not ESPN.  Yet, Coach Witte took time to help us sort out the players and set up interviews.  In other words, he went out of his way for two "rookies" trying to cover the team.

If he did that for us, you know what he does for his players.  I definitely know, because I have seen and heard him in action.

I see him patiently work with the ladies from the ground up.  Most of these women have not played real football prior to the Bliss experience.  Coach Witte starts them with remedial level and works them through a Master's Degree in offensive lineology.  Oh, and he did this all in about 15 practices.

Many people say that games are won or lost on the line.  Many say that is where they focus during the game.  I kind of watch everything for bits, but I plan on watching a bit more line play this season.

One of the coolest things I have experienced in practice was Coach Witte explaining some blocking techniques (footwork and all) to me.  I could listen to that all day.  It really just fascinates me.

Now, I will have an even bigger appreciation for the development of plays.  I will be watching for the offensive line to open holes for ChrisDell Harris and our runners, as well as provide pass protection.

I really appreciate Coach Witte for being generous with his time.  Witte is a perfect representative of the Bliss.  Knowledgeable, friendly and considerate.  He is just another of the many great parts which come together to make an even greater whole.

Check out the Bliss in Hoffman Estates on Friday, as they start their title defense against the Los Angeles Temptation.  This season is going to be memorable!

Coach John Witte and me in Darien, IL-January 2014.

Back on the Beat with the 2014 Chicago Bliss-The Coaches

Bigger!  Faster!  Stronger!
That is the recurring theme I heard Monday night as the Chicago Bliss took the practice field for the first time heading into the 2014 season.  Coming from the reigning Legends League champions, this does not bode well for the other LFL teams.
For the Bliss, it starts at the top with Coach Keith Hac.  Last year, Hac made headlines by boldly predicting an LFL championship run and by proclaiming that the Bliss were simply the best.  Hac never wavered on his stance.
At the practice, I talked to Hac and some of his staff at length.  I really got to understand the cohesion and structure that the Bliss staff has.  This is one aspect which separates the Bliss from the other teams.  The Bliss staff has worked and played together for years.  The staff is structured and filled like no other.
We have interviews with Coach Hac, Offensive Line Coach John Witte and Offensive Coordinator Jim Brunner.  Over the course of the season, I will be talking to all of the coaches, but for now, may I introduce them as:
Head Coach-Keith Hac
Offensive Coordinator-Jim Brunner
Offensive Line Coach-John Witte
Defensive Line Coach-Chris Van Stone
Wide Receivers Coach-Chris Norton
Defensive Backs Coach-Vernard Alsberry
Assistant Coach-Ryan Andrews
Medical Staff-Scott Haertel
Staff Assistants-James Riggs and Norman Cook
Individually, each brings a lot to the table.  Together as a unified staff, these guys present major problems to opposing coaches.
This sounds to me like 2014 is going to be a fun and successful season!