It’s not quite a locker room, and the scrambled eggs and bacon don’t exactly constitute a pregame meal, but the lower-level banquet room at Hereford House will accommodate several pep talks this year from coaches of Kansas University athletics teams.

Their audience: members of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce looking to succeed in a competitive marketplace.

This year the chamber is presenting a series of coaches meetings, called “Breakfast of Champions,” to bring chamber members closer to the programs and players that play such a large role in the Lawrence community and beyond.

Football coach Mark Mangino, women’s basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson and leaders in other sports are scheduled to headline events at Hereford House throughout the year.

And yes, Wheaties will be on the menu.

“This is a great opportunity,” said Don Johnston, president of Intrust Bank in Lawrence, a lead sponsor of the series along with Crown Chevrolet Toyota Scion. “Some of these coaches – it’ll vary from coach to coach – but some of these coaches, if they’re not already, end up on the lecture, speaker circuit around the country making inspirational talks to groups for just that reason: to inspire people how to get out and become winners.

“These are at 7:30 in the morning. The least they can do is wake us up to the fact that if we’re up and about that day, at that hour, we may already be miles ahead of the competition.”

Henrickson said she was honored to be given the opportunity to address chamber members as part of the breakfast series. Her event is scheduled for Oct. 12.

Coaches relied on business leaders to support their programs, through financial contributions, ongoing services and encouragement and attendance, she said. But business lessons also spill over onto the court.

“We talk to our kids about, ‘How does this affect you in the workplace 10 or 15 years from now – the decisions you’re making today and the habits you’re forming today? Are they going to be good work skills?’ ” she said. “We turn that around and use that when we work with our kids.

“We’re all in the people business.”

Henrickson said building a successful program started with being fair, firm and respectful to all her staffers and players, and working to challenge the team to reach new heights.

“It’s a lot of common sense,” she said of her style. “It’s about being a good communicator, being very honest, being straightforward, and not allowing people to settle.”

She’s confident that the insights shared by herself and her fellow KU coaches would pay off for attendees.

“I’m sure there will be similarities, because we’re fortunate over here to have a great staff of coaches and people that lead by example and are demanding – but demand more from themselves than they do from their kids,” she said. “I think there will be similarities, but I’m sure you’ll be able to walk away with something a little bit different from each one of us.

“We’re all different people.”

Bill Self, KU men’s basketball coach, also is expected to take part in the program, but a date has not been set.

Johnston said the series would give chamber members a chance to continue their already close relationships with the athletics programs at KU.

Such relationships can lead to jobs for athletes sticking around Lawrence for the summer, Johnston said, businesses certainly know the value of successful KU teams.

“There’s T-shirts, clothing, apparel, restaurants, hotels and motels for visitors to the games, and parents visiting student-athletes,” Johnston said. “It goes on and on.”