It’s nonetheless there, rising in flight on Michael Fowler’s higher proper arm.
A tattoo of the Mighty Mouse cartoon character Fowler had utilized when he was 19 years previous pays homage to one of many 2000 West Aurora graduate’s heroes — former NBA standout Damon Stoudamire.
District 129 officers are hoping it turns into symbolic of Fowler’s return dwelling and the influence the previous state champion has as coach of this system he performed for throughout the Gordie Kerkman period.
West Aurora athletic director Jason Buckley confirmed Monday that Fowler had been employed to succeed Brian Johnson, who was let go in early March.
“I was a quiet kid and also a lefty like Stoudamire, who has the Mighty Mouse nickname and tat,” Fowler stated.
Toronto followers booed his choice on draft night time however Stoudamire was named the NBA’s rookie of the 12 months. He performed 17 seasons and was featured with the tattoo in a Nike promotional poster.
As a junior for the Blackhawks, Fowler was a 5-foot-10 level guard — identical to Stoudamire — when buddies gave him the identical nickname.
“It has stuck my whole life with my close friends,” Fowler stated.
That’s why he received the tattoo, which has significantly extra muscle behind it lately than when he weighed 155 kilos and averaged 7.7 factors and a team-high 4.5 assists for state champion West Aurora (32-1).
The District 129 college board made extra information Monday night time, voting 7-0 to simply accept an invite from the Upstate Eight to rejoin the convention for a 3rd stint. The Blackhawks will go away the Southwest Prairie Conference after a fifth season in 2024-25.
“We feel, based on our experiences the last few years, it would be a better fit all the way around as far as pros and cons,” Buckley stated.
The Blackhawks have gone winless in soccer all 4 seasons within the Southwest Prairie West.
Buckley stated when West Aurora joined the expanded 12-team convention he was informed the plan was to reevaluate the divisions periodically, however his request for such a overview didn’t get answered.
Three different colleges — Riverside-Brookfield, Elmwood Park and Ridgewood — have additionally been prolonged invites to hitch the Upstate Eight Conference, which might characteristic two seven-team divisions in some sports activities.
Buckley insisted that whereas there’s an underlying notion the convention change is a football-only choice, “this is not the case.” He stated there can be extra choices with an expanded UEC.
Fowler stated he had no enter on the UEC choice however welcomes attending to play East Aurora twice a season.
“I think it’s needed for the communities on both sides of the river,” Fowler stated.
His ties to West Aurora run deep since his dad, Herman, performed for the Blackhawks underneath Kerkman predecessor John McDougal. Many kinfolk nonetheless dwell on the West Side.
Michael Fowler went on to play in school at Lincoln and NCAA Division II Ashland earlier than beginning his teaching profession in 2008 when Plainfield East opened.
Fowler assisted Plainfield coach Branden Adkins at numerous ranges, lastly as varsity assistant, after which turned the top coach in 2017 when Adkins left to turn into Neuqua Valley’s athletic director.
Fowler’s groups went 57-69 in 5 seasons. He stepped down following the 2021-22 season. He continued to show at Plainfield East however hopes to be within the constructing at West Aurora subsequent college 12 months if a educating place could be finalized.
“It wasn’t my end game or overall plan to be the head coach there forever,” Fowler stated of Plainfield East. “I had 15 years there, and I wanted to spend more time at home with my family, my girls.”
Fowler and his spouse Victoria have two daughters, Isabel and Zoey, who’re 12 and 9, respectively.
He didn’t plan to surrender teaching for good, nonetheless, saying he thought he would possibly ultimately transfer to a different program as an assistant.
“It had to be the right spot,” Fowler stated. “I was OK with not being a head coach.”
That is, till the West Aurora place opened up.
He utilized after getting the OK from his household.
“I thought about it long,” Fowler stated. “It’s a distinct degree, particularly with the custom over there. I do know what’s anticipated and I’m conscious of the pressures.
“I’ve been there. I understand what it’s about.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com