It's Just Who He Is

Answering questions for the press, Ralph Munger is excited and ready to lead

It’s Just Who He Is
Story and photos by Alexis Mercer

Why would a three-time State Champion, two-time Runner Up, coach to many players who went on as collegiate and even NFL players, choose to come to a small town school like Newaygo? 

“It’s just who he is.”

This according to his wife, Kathy, who sat by his side at the board meeting for his official approval on Monday, December 20 and then attended the meeting today he had with his players to introduce himself. She smiled happily watching him shake the hands of his new athletes and she explained how he was so excited to be part of this.

Munger spent the last two years assisting at Mancelona and felt he was ready for more. “I really think it is a God thing,” he said in response to a question by the press about coming to Newaygo. He felt called to lead another team.

His daughter, Cassidy Munger, posted on social media a similar sentiment earlier this week when the news was first released by Newaygo Public Schools that her dad would be taking over the Lions program. “It’s what he knows best,” she said.

But “it” is more than just football. Cassidy clarified by saying that he knows best how to impact the lives of young men through the game of football. That it is so much more than the game.

Coach was quite clear in his response when asked how he plans to rebuild the program at Newaygo. “Rebuild?” he asked with genuine passion. “Man, we are going to restore the roar! Bottom line, I don’t look at the rebuilding part of it. You guys (to his players) don’t want to hear about the rebuilding part of it, do you?”

“I want to get to work. I want to get to be as good as we can be. I want to get to work on the field. I want to compete,” said Munger with a smile and excitement in his voice.

Many of the players who will be on the first Newaygo team under Munger’s leadership sat in the cafetorium today to meet him for the first time. While quiet and respectful, there was a buzz in the air. 

When Coach Munger was talking, they were certainly listening. After Coach answered questions from both his future players and others who came to hear him introduce himself, the boys lined up and had a chance to shake his hand and introduce themselves. 

“I want to have an impact on these young men so they have something to remember and enjoy both now and in years to come,” Coach Munger says. 

So what keeps him motivated after spending time at Frankenmuth, then 28 years at Rockford, and most recently a couple at Mancelona? That’s a whole lifetime of hard work already.

As Munger says: “It’s the relationships. I love the game so much because in that game are so many values that can be taught that will help young men later in life. I guess that’s what brings me back. Also what brings me back is the Good Lord saying you have your health, so hey, let’s do it again.”

Munger meets his future players for the first time today with a handshake

Newaygo athlete Damone Moore fills out the questionnaire given by Coach Munger