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Wapak grad returns to face 'Skins |
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Wednesday, 07 November 2007 |
By JOSHUA KEERAN
Sports Editor
After several attempts at returning to coach against his alma mater, Wapakoneta graduate Kevin Thuman finally gets that opportunity on Friday at 6 p.m. when he brings his Westerville North Warriors to town for a scrimmage against the Wapakoneta varsity boys basketball team.
“This is the third year we have tried to scrimmage on a Friday,” said Thuman, who graduate from Wapakoneta High School in 1975. “The first year we were in the state soccer championship and then two years ago Wapak was in the football playoffs. It looks like this year we will finally make it.”
While at Wapakoneta, Thuman participated in baseball under varsity coach Jim Elshire and basketball under varsity coach Joe Allen.
“We always had a tremendous amount of school and community spirit,” said Thuman about his years as a high school athlete at Wapakoneta. “I remember the big crowds at football and basketball games. I was also fortunate to have some influential teachers that influenced my decision to be a teacher and coach.”
Following graduation from Wapakoneta High School, Thuman attended Capital University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and was a four-year letterwinner in baseball. After Capital University, Thuman earned a Masters of Arts degree from The Ohio State University.
“I have been teaching in Westerville since graduating from Capital in 1979,” he said. “I have coached all levels of basketball and baseball since that year.”
Thuman said he was inspired to become a coach by many of the coaches he played for while in high school.
“I was influenced by a lot of positive role models in high school. Coach John Nemec (even though I did not play football was a favorite teacher of mine), also Elshire, Allen, Bob Askins
and Steve Penhorwood,” he said. “I have found one of the most enjoyable and rewarding things about teaching is when former students or players want to teach and/or coach.
“Two of my assistants are former students and players of mine.”
Entering his 13th season as head boys basketball coach for the Warriors, Thuman also serves at the assistant baseball coach and currently teaches social studies at Heritage Middle School.
The Warriors struggled last season on the hardwood, but Thuman hopes to turn things around this year beginning with the scrimmage against the Redskins.
“We struggled to a 3-18 record, but we were young and hope to improve on that this year.”
Thuman said his son, Jacob, is a junior on the Warriors’ squad and is also looking forward to playing at the high school Thuman attended three decades ago.
No matter the outcome of Friday’s scrimmage, Thuman’s just happy to be back.
“I am excited to come back,” he said. “I saw several of my fellow class of ’75 grads last weekend and we all agreed that it does not seem like 32 years since high school.”
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 November 2007 )
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