Bryce Schaben

[Christy Johnson @CJohnsonLynch]

Congrats Jess Schaben and @OmahaSupernovas on a great match and another win! Amazing to see someone live out a dream and awesome way for @CycloneVB to cap off spring season. ❤️💛

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

In 2011, George Kittle was a senior in high school.

He was a 200 pound WR and only had offers from Weber State and service schools.

His dream was Iowa, but he had never heard from them.

That changed when before national signing day, Kirk Ferentz called.

He said, "If two other prospects don’t commit, we will have a scholarship to offer you."

Kittle was shocked. He had attended 2 Iowa camps the previous summers and not a single coach had said a word.

Apparently they had noticed him, but didn't say anything.

Kittle was nervous, anxious, and excited with the possibility.

On signing day, George’s mom said, “He (George) wore a Hawkeye shirt under his regular shirt, just in case.”

That day, Kirk Ferentz called and they were giving him an offer. They were taking a flier on his potential.

George was ecstatic. But that was just the beginning.

He showed up that spring as an undersized TE at 6’2” 201 pounds.

When he stepped on the field, his joy and football obsession was on display, but his toughness made him stand out. He would enter drills undersized and get thrown, but he would keep at it no matter what.

Coaches immediately noticed. Ferentz said, “I’ll tell you one thing, he’s not afraid. And if he’s not afraid, he’s got a chance.”

George slowly improved, got bigger, and learned the offense from 2012-14, but he wasn't getting an opportunity because he wasn't taking football seriously enough.

That changed in 2015 when he met former Hawkeye great Pat Angerer.

Kittle said, "He (Pat) had a very similar story. He didn't play for three years, and then he figured it out and got drafted in the second round."

Angerer told him, "I partied a lot, I drank a lot and I liked to fight people when I was drunk. That's what kept me from playing. And so I looked myself in the mirror and I said, 'Those are the three things that are gonna stop me from playing and achieving my dreams.'"

That talk was a turning point for Kittle. It motivated him to do more and be better.

That offseason, he knew the only way to get on the field was to focus on being a better run-blocker. Everyone knew he could catch, but didn't see that tenacity when he blocked. So that’s where he worked.
• He worked on his strength to get stronger.
• He worked on his explosiveness to push defenders.
• He worked on his technique to drive defenders throughout the play.

Coaches and players immediately noticed the dedication and the changes because he was moving defensive lineman in practice like he never did before.

In 2015, Kittle saw more playing time because of his blocking. He even led the team with 6 TD receptions.

In 2016, he was ready for a breakout season in his senior year, but it didn’t happen due to injuries.

Kittle had laid the ground work for his skills to develop. His hard work, blocking abilities, and commitment led him to be drafted in the 5th round.

And the story doesn’t end there as he is getting ready to suit up for Super Bowl 58 next Sunday.

Takeaway 1: You create opportunities and luck through your diligence and hard work.

George Kittle's (@gkittle46) story emphasizes how consistent effort can create opportunities. Initially unnoticed at camps, his hard work caught the coaches' attention, leading to a scholarship. His ongoing dedication and fearlessness in practice not only secured his spot, but expanded his playing time. Persistence and hard work consistently will always get you noticed over the long-term.

Takeaway 2: Success doesn’t happen overnight, it is built through daily excellence.

Kittle’s rise from an under-the-radar player to a standout performer highlights that success is a gradual journey, not an overnight phenomenon. For 3 years he didn't play, but he did get better. Then when he focused and committed even more, his skill improvement became that much more noticeable. This approach highlights the importance of a growth-mindset to anything you do.

"I'm gonna try to do my job to the best of my ability and support whoever's on my team." - George Kittle
- - -
Follow @coachajkings more posts like this!

[Mitch Osborn @OsbornMitch]

We will have a very special event on Jan. 20th, 2024 where we will be recognizing all Cyclone boys basketball state tournament teams at our game v Underwood. We will also be honoring recent HOF inductees Joel Osborn & Jess Schaben Lansman! Please repost to spread the word !

[Bryce Schaben @BryceSchaben]

@JenMalcomCalVB Congratulations!! You will do great!

[Omaha Supernovas @OmahaSupernovas]

The Omaha Supernovas are THRILLED to announce that Jess Schaben has signed to join our Season One roster! ✍️🤩

An all-star outside hitter, Jess is one of the best players in Iowa St. history, becoming the first player in the program to have over 300 kills in all four seasons. 🔥

[Iowa State Volleyball @CycloneVB]

Congrats to Jess Schaben Lansman for both her induction into the IGHSAU Hall of Fame last night and for signing with the Omaha Supernovas to play professionally with the Pro Volleyball Federation!

🌪️🏐🌪️

[Bryce Schaben @BryceSchaben]

https://t.co/rsXZT0qk1v

[KNOD Radio - Kool Gold 105.3FM, Harlan, IA @koolgold105]

🏐 #KoolGold105 KNOD SPORTS: Our interview with former @hcsdcyclones & ISU volleyball player Jess Schaben Lansman as she prepares to be inducted in the @IGHSAU Volleyball Hall of Fame on Thursday: https://t.co/yDXW2IhRGS 🏐 @HCSDActivities

[Bryce Schaben @BryceSchaben]

Harlan Cyclones Volleyball fans. Jess’s induction into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Hall of Fame will hopefully be shown tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm on Iowa Public Television which is channel 336 on FMCTC just before the class 1A championship game. Go Cyclones!!

[KNOD Radio - Kool Gold 105.3FM, Harlan, IA @koolgold105]

🏐 #KoolGold105 KNOD SPORTS: A former @hcsdcyclones volleyball star to be honored as a member of the IGHSAU Volleyball Hall of Fame. 🏐 @HCSDActivities

Story available here: https://t.co/S9M7H65div

[River City Juniors @RCJRSOmaha]

Tryouts for the 23-24 club season are open for registration! https://t.co/KaAefdA29x

[Bryce Schaben @BryceSchaben]

@zklaassen We saw it too!

[Peru State Athletics @pscbobcats]

Survive and Advance.
@PSCMenHoops
Bobcats Leading Scorer: Anderson 22 pts
#NAIAMBB | #BattleForTheRedBanner | #ClawsOut | #PeruState155

[Bryce Schaben @BryceSchaben]

Go Cats!!

[Peru State Football @PSCFootball]

🧢 We top 2, and we not two!

[Peru State Football @PSCFootball]

🧢 We top 2, and we not two!

[Harlan Cyclones @HCSDActivities]

Thank you, Mrs. Schaben! Epitome of a Cyclone and being #JoinedAsOne 🌪

[Bryce Schaben @BryceSchaben]

Please vote!!

[Bryce Schaben @BryceSchaben]

@darrengoshorn Great kids!

[LSU Beach Volleyball @LSUBeachVB]

Two midwestern girls playing beach volleyball in Baton Rouge

Jess Lansman and Sydney Moore battled the past two years as a great duo.

[Bryce Schaben @BryceSchaben]

So proud of my daughter! Finished her career beating the top 2 teams in the Nation! After playing with 3 different partners this year for various reasons Jess and Sydney really turned it up at the end of the year! Glad to have her home now!!