Bachmann named softball head coach
News | Published on December 22, 2021 at 5:27pm EST | Author: Chad Koenen
0By Barbie Porter
Editor
The Frazee High School softball team officially has a new coach in place.
The Frazee-Vergas School Board approved the recommendation for head coach to be Tavia Bachmann at its monthly meeting on Monday, Dec. 13.
When longtime head coach Matt Bauer resigned to accept a collegiate coaching position in Missouri with Moberly Area Community College, the school district began accepting applications from those interested in leading the successful program.
Three people threw their hat into the ring and after much review the interview committee recommended Bachmann for the job.
Bachmann is the summer softball recreation director. She also “has a great understanding of the game of softball and has many great years of experience coaching multiple activities,” the interview committee noted.
Bachmann is also a science teacher at the high school and has been coaching in FHS sports since she started working for the district several years ago.
She will be paid a season stipend of $5,219.
Broden Fleisher may also be a familiar name to those in the Hornet athletics world. The FHS grad was a powerhouse player on the high school basketball team for many years and he is returning to his old stomping ground as the coach of the ninth grade basketball team (also known as the C team).
The interview committee noted Fleisher will work under the direction of the program’s head coach, Ryan Vigen, and will assist at all varsity levels, travel with the team and work on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball to enhance the player’s aptitude of the game.
It was noted Fleisher has “assisted at the elementary level as a volunteer coach” as well.
“Broden (Fleisher) has great passion to be involved in the basketball program and wants to help in any way,” the recommendation for employment notes stated. “He is a former athlete from FHS and wants to get back involved in the activities he loves.”
There were two applicants for the coaching job and both were interviewed. Fleisher will be paid a season stipend of $3,312.
Elementary physical education teacher Bryan Gillespie was also brought aboard the coaching staff. He will lead the junior high boys basketball program. The recommendation for employment noted he also coaches football for the district and has coached basketball at the youth and junior high level in schools prior to arriving in Frazee several yeas ago. He has also been officiating games at times.
Gillespie will work under the direction of the program’s head coach and assist in practices at both levels. He will be paid a season stipend of $2,485.
FHS teacher Katie Hoekstra will be a new weight room supervisor for two days a week after school. She will be paid $25 per hour.
Other hires at the school district include Sheryl Mahnke and Diana Dugger for food service workers. They will both be paid $14.30.
Resignations approved by the board included Amy Blaine, a .5 special education teacher (at the end of the current school year), Kayla Colvin, a latch key aid, and Autumn Mahoney, a junior high softball coach.