Page 24 - 2022-23 Annual Report

CHAMPIONS OF EDUCA TION CHAMPIONS OF EDUCA TION

the mental health of teenagers—which societal changes that he’s witnessed, the “Education-based athletics help prepare you
I’ve certainly seen go rapidly downhill.” role of the educator has stayed the same.
For the past couple of years, Bloom has “In my time coaching, a lot of things have for real life,” she said. “One day you’re going
used a phone lockbox when the team changed through the generations—yet there
travels. That allows student-athletes to is a constant in coaching. I think young to have a job and a potential marriage, maybe
not only focus on the upcoming match, people may not like it, but they yearn for
but it also encourages them to focus on discipline, belonging, and contributing. kids. The rest of your life is going to require
building relationships with teammates. High school sports provide all three of those
things,” he said. “It helps form so much of work and discipline. Once you understand
“Let’s take a break from it. Let’s be together. what’s to come for them in their lives.”
Let’s talk,” Bloom said. “It’s not that they’re that, the happier you’re going to be.”
unable to do that—but they can’t if they Bloom feels similarly. “Education-based
stare at their phones and never look up.” athletics help prepare you for real life,”
she said. “One day you’re going to have a
What Bloom is doing—and what job and a potential marriage, maybe kids. Coach Bloom poses for a photo with one of her
education-based athletics do—is help form The rest of your life is going to require students during the Yorktown graduation ceremony.
complete human beings through human work and discipline. Once you understand
relationships. Goebel also underscored that, the happier you’re going to be.”
the importance of these relationships.
Winning and losing is an outcome of a
“High school athletics aren’t only about game or a season. But the outcome of the
the thrill of being involved,” he said. “The education-based athletics journey is a
success of forming friendships and figuring student-athlete’s preparedness for the next
out how to deal with others socially is huge.” chapter, whether that’s post-secondary
education or joining the work force. To
Goebel also has observed rapid changes Goebel, Bloom, and all educators who devote
in the culture. But he believes this only their life’s work to preparing students and
makes the role of the educator that much student-athletes for the next chapter in life,
more important. Despite the cultural and the Association extends its deepest gratitude.

Coach Goebel celebrates after winning the 2022 IHSAA Football State Finals.

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