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Jul 27, 2017

It can be a tall task putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard when faced with writing about a great person. Where does one begin? With a quote? With a story? With a list of awards and accolades? Maybe a moment of triumph? Or an instance of overcoming great adversity? Harvey and Dave had the opportunity to dive into each and every one of these questions as they had an inspirational sit-down with the one and only Steve McGuiggan.

The Ol’ Bull, Coach Steve, Guigg Daddy, Steveyyyyy. Steve McGuiggan can be addressed with a great many different nicknames, and the same could be said when it comes to describing his character; loyal, thoughtful, hard-working, a servant, a leader, and a man whose positive energy is contagious and infects all who come in contact with him. Steve is a man of strong principles and firm values and he learned from a very young age that it was not about him, it was about others.

“You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” For the McGuiggan clan growing up that was each other. Mike and Kathy McGuiggan instilled in all four of their children from a young age that it was always about others. ‘“Everything you do is going to affect your story and how you treat other people is going to affect your story.” Steve currently lives about five miles away from the house he grew up in, where his folks still reside. His sister Jenny lives across the street. His sister Kelly lives five minutes away from both of them, and his third sister Kristen recently purchased a home in the neighboring town which is about ten minutes away.

It was these values that drove Steve and directed his path growing up. As a senior at Apple Valley High School Steve was a 3-sport athlete where he competed in Baseball, Basketball, and Football. He was a captain on each one of those teams and was also All-State in each of those sports.

Steve’s journey beyond high school brought him to the University of Illinois Chicago to play baseball. As a freshman he not only started, which was very rare for UIC, but he earned All-American honors batting .370 that season. After that year is when the ‘good stuff’ of Steve’s story can be heard. Heading into his sophomore season Steve experienced a shift in his perspective and a shift in his attitude, for the worse. The results can almost be described as scientific. “The most beneficial thing that has happened to me in my entire life is getting my ass kicked.”

Steve’s story is one that must be listened to and not read. The owner of Minnesota MASH baseball and performance, The Positive Coaching Alliance Coach of the Year, and an overall great man, Steve is a role model to thousands of young athletes all over the midwest and a shining example of someone whose foundation is set on serving others.

Marty, Dave, and Guiggs cover a great deal of material, ranging from what it means to be a great teammate, how others’ success attributes to your success, the benefits of playing multiple sports, chemistry, belief, the service of others, and giving away energy. So get your saddle, and throw some baby powder on because we’re going on a thrilling ride with the Ol’ Bull Steve McGuiggan.