Hobart High soccer coach Craig Osika, who led the Brickies to a runner-up end on the 2020 4A state championship, has resigned to give attention to his duties as college co-principal and as a dad.
“This is the first year I’ve really felt the strain of doing both,” Osika mentioned Wednesday.
His resignation is on Thursday’s college board agenda.
“My girls are getting older, they’re 12 and 8 and I’m missing experiences. My parents never missed anything that I wanted to do and I want to do the same for my kids,” he mentioned.
His oldest daughter is working cross nation and his youngest youngster is specializing in ballet and tumbling, he mentioned. Both children take pleasure in swimming, too.
In six years as head coach, Osika posted a 52-20 document. His 2020 workforce misplaced to Roncalli within the state championship sport, 49-7.
A 1998 Hobart graduate and former NFL lineman, Osika performed for the Brickies earlier than leaving for Division 1 school ball at Indiana University.
“I’ve either been a player or coach for the last 32 years. I make my living as a principal, and football suffered a little bit. My total focus wasn’t on football. It was time to step away,” he mentioned.
“It’s not like it’s August to November anymore. It’s year round,” he mentioned of the soccer dedication.
He served as a dean of scholars at the highschool and was named co-principal with Colleen Newell in 2021.
His workforce, which can return a number of seniors subsequent 12 months, had combined feelings on shedding Osika. “Change is scary for anyone, whether you’re an adult or a kid,” he mentioned.
“Academically, they’re very strong, they’re just a good group, and there’s a lot in the pipeline coming through here,” he mentioned of the longer term.
He’ll nonetheless be their principal, simply not their coach now.
“I’m not going anywhere. They’ll see me every day,” he mentioned.
Osika mentioned athletic director Mike Black has posted the teaching opening and interviews will happen after the vacation break.
Superintendent Peggy Buffington praised Osika’s ardour and success.
“He coached winning teams, which is always exciting for Hobart fans. More importantly, he shaped the lives of his young players,” she mentioned.
“As one of the co-principals at HHS, his dedication to the students and their successes in life is paramount. He truly makes a difference for our kids, and we are proud of his accomplishments.”
Carole Carlson is a contract reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com