Service with a Smile : Former JBU hoops coach joins Coldwell Banker
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008
When it comes to selling real estate in Siloam Springs, former John Brown University head men's basketball coach John Sheehy has a take charge attitude.
"I hope to be perceived as a Realtor who is hard working, dependable and credible," Sheehy said.
Sheehy, who recently earned his Arkansas real estate license, is working part-time for Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate.
"Having bought and sold rent property throughout the years, I've always been intrigued with the real estate profession," Sheehy said. "Like coaching, this line of work still gives me a challenge."
A lot of Sheehy's coaching philosophies still pertain to way he attracts clients.
"The key to recruiting in any area of work is to not go with a slick sales approach," Sheehy said. "It should consist of a lot of hard work over time. People with a need to sell should match up with people who need to buy so in time the pieces of the puzzle will start falling in place."
Blessed with a warm, friendly personality, Sheehy said meeting people is what makes the job fun.
"I consider myself a people person and I'm always looking to build new relationships," Sheehy said.
Always cordial and full of life, Sheehy never backs down from a good con- versation.
"In order to be a strong sales person, your primary role is to make the customer happy and meet their needs," Sheehy said. "If I'm in this business for the compensation, then I'm doing it for the wrong reasons."
Since retiring from coaching the JBU Golden Eagles men's basketball team, Sheehy also stays busy working part-time at Dawn Hill Golf Club.
Sheehy added that his life-long goals have more or less changed now that he's not pacing the sidelines.
"I don't have to worry about wins and losses anymore," Sheehy said. "I can leave that up to my son, Clark."
Sheehy's son, Clark, succeeded his father this past season as the JBU head men's basketball coach. Clark was a four-year letterwinner for the Golden Eagles and also starred on the 1995 Siloam Springs Panthers state runner-up basketball team.
It's also noted that Clark was named the 1995 state tournament most valuable player despite leading his team to the state championship.
Sheehy added that being involved in coaching has allowed him to meet people from all types of ethnic backgrounds.
"One thing that holds true is that it doesn't matter what background or culture that we come from, we're all blessed in ways that are accepting to God. "Doc Dunn, Sheehy's high school basketball coach at Bernie, Mo., planted the coaching seed, while Rex Grady, Sheehy's college coach at Southwest Baptist University, laid the foundation. "Both of those men were instrumental in my life and really showed me the passionate side about basketball," Sheehy said.
"Coach Grady was a teacher of the game and a goal-setter. He taught me how to chase my dreams and become a winner on and off the court. "As a man of his word, Sheehy stands strong in his beliefs that hard work pays off. "It's always been my philosophy that you do the best you can with the opportunities that lie in front of you," Sheehy said. "The longer I coached, the less I focused on the wins and losses. I was more concerned with directing young people toward succeeding in life away from basketball. "Sheehy also said that God's influence has also impacted his life in more ways than one. "God teaches us that if we treat people the way we want to be treated, then the blessings will be overflowing down the road," he added. The greatest impact that Sheehy sees himself making as a Realtor is serving the people of Siloam Springs with a smile. "My job is to help people who have real estate needs. I want to be of service to the people of Siloam Springs."
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