Over 300 employees of the Corbin Independent School District gathered in the campus auditorium for the annual opening day event to hear University of Kentucky Head Baseball Coach Nick Mingione deliver an inspiring keynote address on building a winning team.
This wasn’t Coach Mingione’s first visit to Corbin, as Superintendent David Cox recalled. “Coach Mingione has been here before,” Cox said. “Last year, after hearing about the tragic death of our student, Eli Hill, he called and asked if he and his team could stop by. That’s the kind of person he is. He didn’t want any media attention; he just wanted to come and support our community in our time of need.”
Cox noted that the culture Mingione has cultivated within the UK baseball program is a model of success. Since taking the helm in 2016, Mingione has led the Wildcats to numerous achievements, including their first-ever appearance in the Super Regional in 2017 and the first-ever appearance at the College World Series in 2024. His leadership is characterized by a deep commitment to integrity, passion, and player development.
During his keynote, Mingione shared several favorite quotes, including one from Billy Graham: “A coach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in a lifetime.” He used this quote to set the tone for his message, emphasizing the profound impact educators and staff can have on students.
“I believe we can take that quote and replace the word ‘coach’ with whatever position you hold here at Corbin,” Mingione said. “A teacher will impact more young people. A bus driver will impact more young people. Whatever your role in this district, you have the potential to make an incredible impact on the lives of young people.”
Amy Floyd, Project Director of Knox Promise Neighborhood, highlighted the significance of Mingione’s message on culture-building. “We supported the invitation of Coach Mingione because of his reputation for building a strong, positive culture within his team,” Floyd said. “We knew he’d offer great advice on how to start this school year off strong. When you have a positive culture within your school, it will enhance and improve everything from staff retention to student attendance.”
Throughout his speech, Mingione shared stories of how he transformed the culture of his baseball program, offering relatable examples for educators, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and staff. He encouraged self-reflection, urging the audience to consider what they allow within their own areas of influence.
“For example, on our team, I allow our players to be the best versions of themselves and to compete at the highest level,” Mingione said. “But I also allow them to have fun.” He emphasized the importance of serving and respecting each other as teammates. “After every game, I ask my team to give examples of who was a great teammate and why. It’s my way of reinforcing behaviors that strengthen our culture. My challenge to you is to reflect on whether you value and respect the contributions of your teammates throughout the district.”
At the conclusion of his speech, Mingione was presented with a gift from the district by Eli Hill’s mother, Ashley. In return, Coach Mingione presented Ashley with a signed photo from the team’s championship game, a poignant reminder of the community’s bond.
“This was the motivation and excitement we needed to kick off a new year,” Cox said. “We are grateful to Coach Mingione for his visit and extend our thanks to Knox Promise Neighborhood and Partners for Rural Impact for supporting our initiatives and helping us ‘strive to be our best.’”
Knox Promise Neighborhood, a cradle-to-career initiative from Partners for Rural Impact, brings a holistic approach to school and community improvement in Knox County and Corbin. Their mission is to ensure all Appalachian students succeed. In addition to sponsoring the keynote speaker, every CISD employee received a complimentary copy of “The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics” by Daniel James Brown.
