Worries about possibly losing the Lincoln Middle/High School football program and the hiring of a new coach has people “coming out of the woodwork” to help.
A crowd jammed the LMHS cafeteria on April 10 for a Meet the Coaches meeting. At the same time, the Western Wayne Schools board met and formally approved Jeremy Bane’s contract as varsity football and wrestling coach. The board’s agenda showed the names of seven men who have volunteered as football helpers.
“Some of them are veterans of the program,” said Andy Stover, Western Wayne superintendent, “and some are former Lincoln players who’ve stepped up to show their support.”
The volunteer helpers include Chris Dykes, Bryan Ervin, Chad Bowman, Chris Trent, Jim Bogue, Joseph Lightfield and Marc Johnson. A few more people have also volunteered.
A lack of players has dogged the Golden Eagles football team. Building a feeder program is one of Bane’s goals. An elementary school tackle football program is being restarted and will play in a TEC League, where they will play teams from other elementaries whose high schools play in the Tri-Eastern Conference.
The Golden Eagles went 1-16 in the past two seasons. Some in the community speculated that the program would be discontinued and several came to a school board meeting. There, board members strongly affirmed that the board supports continuing football. In February, Stover announced Bane’s selection as coach.
Also last Wednesday, the board approved hiring Jerry Ingalls as Western Wayne’s first adjunct faculty member. He will teach physical education and supervise the alternative school program at LMHS. Adjunct faculty members don’t have a teaching license, but do possess the skills needed for a teaching position, Stover said. Western Wayne had been searching unsuccessfully for someone to fill the PE and alternative school position since December. Ingalls has been a life skills assistant at LMHS and has officiated at high school wrestling meets for more than 20 years, Stover said.
“He’s a mainstay in our district,” Stover said, “and he intends on going back to school to get his credentials.”
In other business
The board also approved the superintendent’s personnel actions in addition to the football volunteers, as listed below.
Noncertified personnel: Elijah Berry and Brody Puckett, IT summer interns.
Coaching recommendations: Kelly Klein, Tyler Klein and Ross Ferguson, athletic supervisors; Garrett Singer, MS cross country, Emily Webb, MS cheer coach; Jacalynn Stapleton, varsity cheer coach; Rodney Klein, varsity basketball coach; Matt Webb, JV basketball coach; Mark Cronk, volunteer assistant coach boys basketball; Jeremy Bane, varsity football and wrestling coach; Tyler Klein, boys and girls tennis coach; Elizabeth Wonsettler, volunteer tennis coach; Don Crum, varsity volleyball coach; Morgan St. John, assistant volleyball coach; Craig Pennington, girls golf coach; Ron Puckett, varsity coed cross country coach.
Departure: Richey Rains, elementary school PE instructor.
The board’s next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, in room 80 at LMHS, 205 E. Parkway. The public may attend.
A version of this article appeared in the April 17 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.