Eric Stowell

Founder- President

903-216-8769

I am originally from Winfield, Kansas, and graduated from Athens High School in 1993. After completing my trades degree in 1997, I worked in the HVAC and home appliance industry until 2017. In 2018, I transitioned to a career at Mewbourne Oil Company in Tyler, where I currently serve as the Fleet and Facilities Coordinator. Over my 20 years in the trades, I was self-employed for 15 years, providing residential HVAC and appliance repair services across East Texas.

I've been a resident of Canton for 17 years. I'm married and have three stepdaughters, a granddaughter, and an adopted grandson, Brandon. My wife is a business owner in Canton, and my stepdaughters and grandkids have been or are currently students of the Canton Independent School District (CISD).

Sports Background:

My love for sports began in my youth in Kansas, where my parents signed my older brother and me up for activities like swim club, tennis, baseball, and peewee football. As I entered Junior High, I became involved in Greco-Roman wrestling, youth football, and baseball sports. I continued through my ninth-grade year when we moved to Athens.

Youth Sports Experience:

I've been actively involved in youth sports from 2018 to current, previously volunteering with Canton Youth Football and Cheerleading Association (CYFCA), serving as a head coach for peewee football for four seasons, an assistant coach for one season of baseball, and president of the CYFCA Board of Directors for four years.

During my time as president, I led initiatives to:

-Include cheerleading in the organization's name to ensure it received the same benefits as football.
-Transition CYFCA to a non-profit status to pursue grants and donations for growth.
-Introduce the Heads Up Tackling method, a safety-focused approach that reduces the risk of concussions.
-Worked with the high school athletic director to provide a coaching clinic for peewee coaches, ensuring alignment with middle school football fundamentals.
-Develop a Coach Code of Conduct and a consistent curriculum across all teams.
As a head coach, I was fortunate to work with a dedicated staff, leading our teams to two Super Bowl victories. I implemented the Heads Up Tackling method and prioritized the well-being of all players. I believe in fairness and consistency. My grandson, who played on my teams, was treated like every other player. My focus was always on putting kids in the right positions to help the team succeed while striving to be a positive role model.

Favorite Quote:

"The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary." Vince Lombardi

Personal Philosophy:

I embrace risk and view failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. I tend to overthink things, carefully considering all possible outcomes before making decisions. I don't believe in participation awards. There are winners, and there are lessons to be learned in competition. I believe in structure, whether in business, sports, or everyday life, but I also value creativity and open-mindedness. I approach new tasks with research and study, and I never claim to know more than anyone else.

While I'm not a public speaker and don't possess the eloquence of an English professor, I pride myself on thinking outside the box and keeping an open mind. I'm not fond of running or swimming, and I have an irrational dislike of ladybugs.

Thank you for reading my bio. I will continue to update and refine it over time, but I hope this gives you a glimpse of who I am. I look forward to connecting with you and hope you become a part of the Canton Youth Sports family. Feel free to reach out to me via text, phone, or email if you ever have any questions.