Coaching has given Levi Groom a whole new way to enjoy sports. His first season as a coach came at the middle school level with football, and it was one he will always remember. The year 2024 marked PC Middle School football’s first season playing 8-man football, which meant everything had to be built from the ground up. Coach Groom and Coach Roe designed the offensive playbook, while Coach Hampton and Coach Kerkenbush handled the defensive side of the ball. All the hard work paid off, as the team finished the season with a strong 5–2 record. More importantly, coaching gave Coach Groom a brand-new perspective on the games he has loved for so long.
In addition to football, Coach Groom also coaches basketball, where he has noticed major differences between middle school and high school athletes. The biggest difference is commitment. High school players are expected to attend summer league, open gyms, and every practice, while middle school basketball focuses more on learning basic skills and helping players decide whether they want to continue playing in high school. Because as high school athlete you are pushed to make a much bigger commitment. Coach Groom can push them harder and help them reach their full potential.
Sports have always played a huge role in his life. Coach Groom played Football, Basketball, and Baseball, which is what inspired him to start coaching. He wanted to stay connected to the games that meant so much to him growing up and give back to the next generation of athletes.
Balancing work, school, and coaching keeps him extremely busy. Most days begin around 5:00 a.m., and he is often not home until 6:00 p.m. or later after practices or games. During the school semester at UW-Platteville, he works about 15 hours a week at John Deere. His typical day includes working early in the morning, attending classes, and fitting in homework whenever possible. After school, he heads to practice and then works out to clear his mind. Later in the evening, he finishes homework and takes time to relax.
Through coaching, Coach Groom has learned many valuable lessons, but the most important one is the importance of consistency. He believes that doing the little things right every day builds strong habits. Over time, those habits become second nature and lead to real improvement.
His favorite part of coaching is watching his players grow and develop throughout the season. He also admits that winning is something he truly enjoys. For anyone thinking about becoming a coach, his advice is simple: “Go for it.” Coaching can be incredibly rewarding, but it also requires patience.
When asked if there is anything he would change about his coaching experience, Coach Groom says no. Even the challenging moments have taught him important lessons. His current season has been going fairly well, with a few close games that did not go the team’s way, but there is still plenty of season left.
Coach Groom credits many people for helping him along the way. Coaches Kerkenbush, Roe, Hampton, and Wunderlin have all been strong supporters. He is also grateful for his high school coaches—Coach Siegert, Coach Uppena, and Coach Edge—who taught him the games and continue to support him today.