The October 2013 special issue of "Social Education" dealt with almost all AP social studies subjects, but omitted AP European History. This is one of the most fascinating AP subjects for students and teachers alike. In this article, the author shares his experiences since hewas given the responsibility of building his school's Advanced Placement European History program from scratch seven years ago. A nationwide trend of offering Advanced Placement courses was gaining momentum, and his high school, Glenbard West in suburban Chicago, was eager to meet the challenge. This proved to be an opportunity that would dramatically change his teaching career. As a former head baseball coach, Fornaciari understood the idea of owning something and being held responsible for its success. Drawing on his experiences as a coach would prove invaluable in the AP classroom. Many parallels exist between quality coaches and quality classroom teachers--especially AP teachers, who often feel the pressure to produce positive test results. Having developed a series of techniques and strategies for building a team-oriented winning culture on the field, he adapted those methods to work in the AP classroom. Although there is no substitute for having the core fundamentals in place when teaching an AP class, the use of particular strategies can help develop a positive team culture inside the classroom. Strategies discussed in this article include: (1) Set high expectations; (2) Develop positive relationships; (3) Celebrate student success; (4) Involve parents in the process; and (5) Develop valuable alumni connections.