PRAIRIE GROVE -- Move over Clark Kent.
The PG Telco telephone booth in Prairie Grove has a new occupant and he's not Superman.
Faster than a speeding electrical impulse, a thought travels from the brain to the tongue, which holds words of power and life; look, out on the practice field, epitomizing mind over matter, the makeover is complete.
The molecular structure of the interior of Prairie Grove Middle School Special Education teacher Nik Paroubek's brain has changed dramatically since he joined the high school football staff as a volunteer assistant without any previous coaching experience three years ago. Despite the fact he never played high school football, Paroubek was welcomed by Prairie Grove head football coach Danny Abshier, who has done wonders year in and year out with a small group of associates among the Tiger coaching staff.
"I heard Coach Abshier was an excellent position coach," Paroubek said. "I always wanted to get into coaching. I figured if you had a chance to learn from one of the best, what better way to learn? I asked if I could learn from him and from the rest of the coaches."
Abshier was willing to grant Paroubek an opportunity and sees potential in his protege.
"He's volunteered, he's just as dedicated as anybody I've ever had," Abshier said. "He's going to be a terrific coach."
The level of expertise Paroubek has obtained in a three-year span stands as a testament to his dedication to the job. His mind has become saturated with football knowledge. In layman's terms, Paroubek has studied to show himself approved as a football coach working with youth, not to be ashamed of his profession, rightly dividing the rules of the sport.
Prairie Grove seventh-grade coach Mason Pinkley said Paroubek's football IQ has vastly increased. A native of Carl Junction, Mo., in the Joplin area, the soft-spoken Paroubek's demeanor comes across as every bit as mild-mannered as Clark Kent, Superman's alter ego. Paroubek never played high school football. He was a golfer. He had no previous coaching experience. This is not the sort of resume to be expected for an outside linebackers coach from a team that played for the 4A state championship and set a school record with 13 wins in 2015.
Yet, Paroubek has quietly and diligently made a difference. His presence serves to increase the ratio of coaches to players and he takes on various sideline duties, enabling the Tiger brain trust to pay more attention to what is happening on the field. Prairie Grove assistant coach John Elder noted Paroubek doesn't get paid a dime for his time spent with the Tiger football program.
"He's there every Saturday for us, he does a complete job," Elder said. "He loves it. He has learned a lot from us. He soaks it up. Coach Abshier has started to trust him a lot more. He's starting to work with some individual groups."
For his part, Paroubek is grateful for the opportunity to participate.
"It's a great coaching staff to learn from, a great coaching staff to help out," Paroubek said. "I enjoy working with kids. I enjoy learning about the finer aspects of the game."
Paroubek is single. He graduated from Arkansas Tech with a degree in P.E. & Health then earned a Master's Degree in Special Education from the University of Arkansas. He teaches special education at Prairie Grove Middle School and says the practical application of his education when coaching isn't anything complicated.
"I'm just continuing to learn," Paroubek said. "Different students learn in different ways. You've got to figure out the best ways, to reach everyone where they are."
Defensive coordinator Craig Laird said Paroubek offers a counter balance to typical in-the-face perfectionism style of coaching.
"He's kind of quiet, very intellectual, it gives him that personality to come out with our kids and encourage them when we've been hard on them," Laird said.
Sports on 09/21/2016