Page 24 - 2022-23 Annual Report
P. 24

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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