The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1097179
C-12 Wednesday, March 27, 2019 The Press-Dispatch EAST GIBSON NEWS Submit school news: Email: egnews@ pressdispatch.net Deadline: Noon on Friday SOMETHING NEWSWORTHY? Give us a call: 812-354-8500 Wood Memorial Francisco Elementary Kilian has worn many hats at Wood Memorial By Kenzie Rudolph There has been talk that Steve Kilian, Wood Memori- al High School's Athletic Di- rector, is nearing retirement, but he does not seem to be ready to finish his career. Kilian has been at Wood Memorial since 1979, which makes this his 40th year. He added that he has seen numerous changes in the building, the facilities and the staff. At the start of his career as a Trojan, Kilian taught until 2002. Then he became the athletic director in 2002 af- ter spending time in the as- sistant AD spot. He taught health, Driver's Ed. and P.E. before taking on the AD po- sition. While at Wood Memo- rial, Kilian has also coached football, basketball and base- ball. He gave up coaching base- ball in the early 90s, but he said that he loved coaching the kids and wanted to get back into it. He finally gave it up this past year, handing the reigns over to his 2018 assistant coach, Luke Mess- mer. Kilian went to Jasper High School, and he started col- lege at Indiana State Uni- versity and received his mas- ter's degree. "When I graduated col- lege, I applied at about ev- ery school in Southern In- diana, and I got some offers from places, but this kind of appealed to me," said Kilian regarding how he made his way to Wood Memorial. He said that even though he is not coaching or teach- ing, he is still around the kids a lot. "They're good kids. Obvi- ously like any other school, we have our problems, but our kids here are really good kids, and they come from good families," Kilian added. He said that since his of- fice is in the junior high, he handles some discipline problems there as well. He said that his Athletic Director duties mostly in- volve scheduling and man- aging the referees. The numbers are low at Wood Memorial when it comes to sports, but Kil- ian thinks that the students are mostly working to help their families. He said that it comes in cycles where there will be high numbers for a couple years, then that it will drop back down and then go back up again. Kilian added, "You can encourage kids to come out, but you can't force them be- cause if they don't want to do, they're not going to give much effort." He is proud of the facilities that Wood Memorial has for being just a 1A school. "You take a look at the football/ soccer field, the track, ten- nis courts are brand new, our gym...I think that's a plus for here. It's a small com- munity..but we have that old school philosophy, we have people come to the games," Kilian said. He added that at basket- ball games, the Trojan side of the bleachers are full and even when the football team was struggling, the stands were full of community members cheering on the Trojans. "We are fortunate, as an athletic director I am fortu- nate. A guy can be an athlet- ic director for their entire ca- reer and never get to go to a state competition, but I have got to go twice. It's fun," said Kilian regarding two girls' basketball teams making it to the state finals within his time as the athletic director. He said that people tell him his job is a lot of work, but he said it's much bet- ter to keep busy. He enjoys bringing fun events, like the Harlem Wizards for ex- ample, to the school to enter- tain the students as well. "I just like what I'm do- ing," said Kilian. He said Steve Kilian. Kenzie Rudolph photo that even though he is tech- nically from Jasper, he on- ly spent 18 years there, and that Wood Memorial is his home. "If you honestly coach for the money or become an ath- letic director for the money, you won't do it for a year," said Kilian. He added that his wife helps out with the busy schedule, and that he is thankful to have a wife who enjoys sports like he does. He enjoys the busy sched- ule, and says that a person would be miserable if they did not like the fast-paced way of life that comes with being an athletic director. Next Week Wood Memorial LOOK FOR Above: John Louis uses Francisco Elementary 5th grade teacher Mrs. Mokris for a trick. Kenzie Rudolph photo Left: Kindergarten student Shiv Patel excitedly cheers at the start of Wednesday's magic show at Francisco Elementary. Kenzie Rudolph photo Above: John Louis makes two doves magically appear to entertain the Francisco Elementary stu- dents. Kenzie Rudolph photo Left: Dean Wentworth, a first grader (in front) and second graders Damien Maier, Zackery Mor- ris and Peyton Morrison count down for the mag- ic show to start at Francisco Elementary. Kenzie Rudolph photo Kindergarteners Brentley Norrington, Carter Bailey and Bentley McGillem are on the edge of their seats at the magic show put on by John Louis at Francisco Elementary. Kenzie Rudolph photo Second graders Lilly Sloan and Cora Sensmeier are excited to pet the magician's rabbit, Snowball. Kenzie Rudolph photo Waylon Lamson pulls himself up after a roll- erskating fall at Francisco Elementary. Kenzie Ru- dolph photo First grader Max Froemming uses his arms for balance while rollerskating in P.E. class. Kenzie Rudolph photo First grade students Kolten Stewart-Green and Leo Froemming race to see who the best skater is during P.E. class at Francisco Elementary. Kenzie Rudolph photo Kolten Stewart-Green, a first grader at Fran- cisco Elementary, laughs after a skating mishap. Kenzie Rudolph photo