03/15/2026
TPM SHOWCASE #24
In honor of the UNI Men’s basketball team finding out where they’ll be dancing today, the TPM Showcase goes to the Courbat brothers, and current UNI Panthers, Chase man, and Cade man.
When I moved back to Cedar Falls in 2016 from Arizona, my former legendary Coach John Martin was looking for someone to work with his grandsons, Chase and Cade.
I remember the first time we all met up at Jeff Martin’s house for a little assessment and meet and greet.
Chase, Cade, and Kael Martin were all present.
I went through a little assessment with them.
I played a little one on one with Chase.
I Did the same with Cade and Kael.
Then we all played two on two.
Later that evening, Coach Martin sent me an email that I kept and it went like this:
“Great job Thad. I could see a difference already. Chase said he had fun. Couldn’t believe how quick you were. Became an instant believer. Kael and Cade have a new idol. Both of them used to want to jack up 3’s…now they are working on spin moves. The look in his eye already has changed. Already a better player. I trust your intuition, always have. Thanks so much Thad.”
Honestly, reading this email brings tears to my eyes because Coach Martin was an idol to me and the memories of those kids is special to me.
Having the opportunity to work with his grandkids is one of the greatest blessings I have ever received in my life.
My time with Kael was also very fun and special we just didn’t train as long together.
Throw Con man Martin and Adi cat Martin in the mix and they were so fun to be around and work with too.
I worked individually with Chase from his 8th grade year all the way through his entire high school career.
Occasionally, we would get together in the summer of his early playing days at UNI.
I worked individually with Cade from his 5th grade year all the way through his entire high school career leading up to his time as a UNI Panthers.
I also had the privilege to work with Chase man and Cade man in a team setting when they played for the CF Tigers.
It’s funny how brothers are cut from the same cloth but can be so different.
When Cade got older, sometimes he would come and work out with Chase too.
They had that brotherly competitive love.
Especially when Cade started to drunk.
Cade would tease Chase that he could dunk better than him and that he dunked at a younger age than Chase man did.
Their banter was pretty damn funny and I loved it.
Cade’s demeanor reminded me of a Kurt Rambis.
Chase’s demeanor was more like Bill Walton.
Sometimes we had some really intense workouts.
Other times we stretched and meditated to Tibetan singing bowls and visualized.
We always had a lot of great conversations.
When I first started working with Chase man I would take him easily.
As the years progressed he really blossomed into a talented player and I didn’t like getting blasted with his elbows.
I know he hasn’t played as much as he would have liked, but he is an outstanding teammate, and has made a lot of improvements in his game.
Most of all, Chase man is an EXCELLENT PERSON!
He is very kind hearted and would actually listen to me when I would spill the beans on some challenges in my life.
Obviously, when I started working with Cade he was very young.
Once he started to learn how to use his body and developed his strength I liked to stay out of his way.
He can jump out of the gym and is so strong.
I look forward to what he does in the coming years as a UNI Panther.
It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to get to know both Cade and Chase.
On this selection Sunday I have to give a shoutout to former CF Tigers Trey Campbell, and Hunter Jacobson who I also worked with in the past at CF.
I get goosebumps writing this, because I know those little youngsters from long ago are now men getting to live out their dream of playing in MARCH MADNESS!
Much love to you Chase man and Cade man!
I’ll always cherish our memories together!
GO PANTHERS!
GO WIN!!
