If Timpview football coach Chad Van Orden ever gets intimidated by one of his players' fathers, you could certainly understand why.
There are several well-known sports figures who have sons on Timpview's squad, including BYU assistant coaches Norm Chow and Lance Reynolds, and former St. Louis Cardinals receiver Tim Ross.But until recently, Stephen R. Covey, the highly successful businessman, motivational guru and best-selling author, was easily the most recognizable figure among the Timpview football fathers.
Now the honor goes to Larry Zieger - you might know him as Larry King. Yes, THAT Larry King.
You could say he stepped, so to speak, into that role when he married Provo resident Shawn Southwick in September. Southwick's son, sophomore Danny Southwick, is Timpview's third-string quarterback.
"I couldn't believe it," said Danny about what he thought when he found out his mom was dating the famous CNN talk-show host. "I was like, Larry King?"
Danny admits he had the butterflies before he met his new stepdad - the same one he had watched interview O.J. Simpson on TV - for the first time. King lives in Washington, D.C., so Danny only sees him and his mother together about four or five times a month. He says he gets along well with King.
"He grew on me," says Danny. "He's a cool guy."
Danny's trying to convince King to come watch his Thunderbirds play Olympus for the 4A football championship on Tuesday, but he's not sure if King can make the trip from D.C.
You can count on Covey, Chow, Reynolds and Ross to be there, though.
Covey's son, Josh, is the Thunderbirds' starting quarterback. He's made a name for himself the way he's played this year.
With a big game against the Titans, Josh could surpass former Timpview quarterback Bret Engemann for the best single season in the Thunderbirds' 20-year football history. Josh has thrown for 2,185 yards and 23 touchdowns. Engemann, who will go to BYU after he returns from his LDS mission, passed for 2,365 yards in 1995.
"I haven't seen a better QB in the 4A than Josh," says Van Orden.i
Josh credits his father for helping him with the mental side of football - and life, for that matter.
"He puts things in perspective. Whether I play terrible or good, he'll say, `Good job,' " says Josh. "He helps me to visualize and have confidence. He's a great model."
Josh says that his father hasn't missed a game this year despite a demanding schedule. He even made it to an occasional practice, though Timpview coaches nearly told him to leave once when he watched from his car. Van Orden laughs about it now, but at the time he thought Covey was a scout from rival Provo, so he asked an assistant to send him away before they realized who he was.
"He just wanted to watch us practice," Van Orden said.
So, which of the seven habits of highly effective people is Josh's favorite?
"I haven't read the books yet," Josh admits. "But people have told me all about them."
Timpview backup quarterback Cameron Chow said he's always getting some smart-aleck remark from opposing players when they find out that he is the son of Norm Chow, BYU's offensive coordinator. He's even had requests for BYU paraphernalia from other players.
"It doesn't bother me," says Cameron. "My dad has helped me quite a bit. We sit down together and talk about football a lot. It's been great."
Lance Reynolds Jr., a three-year starter for Timpview, also loves to talk football with his father, who has been BYU's running backs coach for 15 years. But he said he's never felt pressure from his dad.
"He's been real neutral," said Lance. "He's always told me, `If you want to play football, you can play.' "
Having a former NFL player as a father - Tim played for the Cardinals from 1973-75 - certainly paid dividends for Ethan Ross. The talented Thunderbird is Timpview's top receiver, defensive back, punter and place kicker.
Van Orden says the role all of these fathers plays in their sons' lives can't be overstated.
"They're a great support at home. It's nice to have parents so focused," he says. "They're blessed, they really are, with the parents they have."