Greeter – Kelly Youngstrom

Prayer – Mark Barnes

Flag Salute – Win Eaton

Song – “America the Beautiful” Justin Salters

Our leader's half hearted salute. Pun intended.

Guest Spoke Editor

Clinton Trimmer

Clint and his wife, Megan, have served as Salvation Army Officers for over a decade, ministering in Los Angeles, Montana, and Wyoming before coming to Bakersfield in 2021. As Corps Officers, they lead the church and community outreach of The Salvation Army, helping neighbors in need and offering hope to those on the margins of society. Their mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name. 

Visitors & Guests

James McGill with DeWalt visited the club

Katie Barton had a guest, Victoria Potter, with Grimm Family Education Foundation

Good News:

Jerene Battisti announced Jim Burke Lincoln, on gasoline way, is committing to clothing a child for every test drive of a Lincoln on November 6. 

Shanon LaBare announced that the Woolworths building will have its grand opening on October 25^th, 3-7 pm, and will include musical acts. The soft opening of the lunch counter has already happened, allowing people to get lunch. 

Bill Lever announced now is a good time to purchase wreaths to support wreaths across America. Bill also told the club that he saw a homeless guy using one of his signs, so he asked for it back, and the gentleman gave it to him. 

We really do need to capture the disappointment on members' faces once they see what's in the merch bag.

New Member:

The club welcomed new member Ivan Carrasco, who is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Ivan is a veteran of the US Army and has worked for Kern Mental Health. 

Program:

Coach Tyler Thompson Shares Lessons from the Field

Rotarians recently heard from Tyler Thompson, head coach of the Bakersfield College Renegades Football Team. A Shafter native who played for BC and later the University of Nevada, Reno, Thompson reflected on the team’s strong start and current slump, emphasizing their continued focus and determination. He shared that coaching is about more than winning—it’s about helping young people build character, stay encouraged through challenges, and celebrate victories on and off the field. Through sports, he said, players learn perseverance, humility, and teamwork—skills that carry far beyond the game.

When asked about attendance and community engagement, Thompson noted several changes since the early 2000s—such as the addition of dorms and fewer at-home viewing options. He concluded that enthusiasm follows success: if the Renegades win and play exciting football, people will come back.

Chad Hathaway's head about to explode.

In the second half of the program, we heard from Chad Hathaway of the Nineteen13 NIL Collaborative, who explained what a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collaborative is and why it matters for both athletes and schools. While independent from college programs, NIL efforts help Bakersfield retain local talent and attract new players by providing financial opportunities to student-athletes. Hathaway emphasized this isn’t “pay for play,” but rather a way for athletes to partner with businesses and causes, promoting them while earning compensation. The support often bridges the financial gap of attending school and allows athletes to focus on their sport, learn real-world business skills, and engage with the community.

Win Eaton answered the unasked question that the reason the collaborative is named Ninteen13 is because that is the year Bakersfield College was founded. 

When asked about BC paying players, both Chad and Tyler informed the club that BC does not pay players; other schools might, but in Bakersfield, we are doing it the right way, which is the NIL Collaborative.