Posted at: 07/02/2012 10:47 PM

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Two Generations of "Coach Strey"

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Tom Strey grew up in Austin when the baseball program was one of the best in the state, and athletics meant everything.

“Some of my best memories were just going to Westcott field to play baseball.”

“We we’re an athletic town, and have been an athletic town for a long, long time,” says Tom’s father, Howie Strey.  “It was important, athletics were important to the town, to the school system, to the teachers, and certainly to the coaches.”

Howie Strey was Tom’s coach in both basketball and baseball. His love for athletics helped his son develop the passion that would eventually have him following in his dad’s footsteps.

“That dynamic between being coach and dad is kind of tricky sometimes,” says Tom, a father himself. “I think my dad handled it very well and I try to do the same thing with my son.”

Tom’s son that he now coaches was on his Eastview High School team that won the Class 3A state baseball title in June. It was the school’s first state championship and came from a team that was a team….rather than superstars.

“We were not probably the most talent but we were the most together team and we know how to win. They did little things to help us win and that’s kind of our trademark throughout the year,” says Coach Strey.

Little things….like show each other some love.

“Tom, at Eastview this year, had sort of an unusual group,” says his dad.  “After every game, he had them hug each other. Guys hugging each other.”

That kind of passion for the game Tom learned from his dad. As a result, he is a respected coach and leaves a mark on his kids… just like the other Coach Strey did on him.