Published: July 2, 2015
West’s Stier ready to move into new role
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News
At one point, Scott Stier thought about being a
psychologist. Even that was iffy when he graduated from West Bend West High
School in 1990.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in college,” Stier said.
However, education always seemed to find a spot in Stier’s
heart when he was growing up. He admired how teachers he had could connect with
their students and colleagues.
Once he realized that was something he could do, he found
his niche.
“For some, it was their expertise,” said Stier when asked
which teachers left an impression on his eventual career choice. “But the ones
we remember the most are the ones who build relationships with kids. That’s
what stuck with me.”
“When we figure out our niche and identify with what we’re
good at, there’s that level of excitement,” he added. “You don’t look at it as
work, but as who you are.” Last month, Stier announced he was resigning as the
West athletic director after seven years to become an assistant principal for
the high schools.
“I got into education because I love teaching kids in the
classroom and I love coaching,” Stier said. “I miss my contact in the
classroom.”
Stier finished coursework at Concordia University-Wisconsin
in Mequon to become a principal in the winter, which he said accelerated his
desire to leave the AD’s office.
It was something he considered for a couple years.
“I gave it a good deal of thought,” he said.
Stier got his bachelor’s degree in science from the
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He got his master’s in education from
National Louis University in Chicago.
Stier’s first teaching job was at Badger Middle School.
“I saw myself teaching for 40 years and coaching,” he said.
He also coached track and field, football and basketball at
Badger, and coached baseball and basketball at West.
In 2008, the athletic director’s job at West became
available.
A three-sport star at West (baseball, basketball and
football), Stier saw an opportunity to be the athletic director at his alma
mater.
“I viewed it as an exceptional opportunity,” he said. “I
knew I was going to miss the classroom; it was just a matter of how much.”
Stier oversaw an athletic program that enjoyed success at
several levels in several sports, including baseball, volleyball, wrestling,
cross-country and track and field.
“The goal was just to put kids at the forefront of
everything we do,” Stier said. “I think our coaches and teaching staff at West
have done just that.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with people that I worked with
and the accomplishments of our student-athletes.”
He quickly earned respect from his peers.
“I had the privilege of working with him as an AD,” said
Bill Greymont, West Bend high schools principal and former athletic director at
Beaver Dam. “He was always knowledgeable, up front, a good team player, easy to
work with and finding the solution that’s best for kids; that’s what you want
as an assistant principal.”
Stier was also an asset for Shane Hansen, who took over as
the East athletic director July 1, 2014.
“Scott was very helpful with questions that I had,” Hansen
said. “He did a nice job helping me in the transition and the West Bend
dynamic, which is very unique. He had a good handle on that.”
To be the athletic director at West was a thrill for Stier.
But it was also time consuming, which had an influence on his desire to become
an assistant principal.
During the school year, it’d be normal for Stier to leave
his office, go home for dinner then go back to the school to help host sporting
events, such as football or basketball games.
He admitted it was tough on him and his family, but he also
credited and thanked them for their support and willingness to put up with
oddball hours he’d have to work.
Stier gladly admitted he won’t miss the headaches of
scheduling buses for games or make-up games because of weather, especially in
the winter.
As for his legacy, he said he’ll let other people be the
judge of it.
“I know I gave it my all,” Stier said. “I feel very
fortunate to have worked with the staff and coaches at West. I have a greater
appreciation for our coaches.”
Stier went into education because he liked the diversity of
opportunities it offered and so far it’s worked out for him.
He’s had the opportunity to be a teacher, a coach, an
athletic director and now an administrator.
And his former teachers should pat themselves on the back.
“They had a profound effect on me,” Stier said.
As for his replacement, the School District announced June
18 that Brian Heimark would take Stier’s place. It is effective Aug. 1.
“I’m thrilled Brian is going to be the next athletic
director; they don’t make them better than him,” Stier said.
Hansen said, “I appreciated working with Scott in this
capacity and all the advice he’s given.”
No comments:
Post a Comment