Kokomo HS Athletic Director Jim Callane '64 Announces Retirement

February 8, 2005

jim callane.jpg February 8, 2005, Greencastle, Ind. - "After 40 years in the education field, including 29 with Kokomo Center Schools, Kokomo High School athletic director Jim Callane said he's had enough," begins an article in Indiana's Kokomo Tribune on the 1964 DePauw University graduate. "Callane's retirement, approved at Monday night's school board meeting, takes effect at the conclusion of this school year."

Callane tells the newspaper, "You kind of know when it's time to get out of coaching and you also know when it's time to get out as an athletic director. I thought about retiring last year, but didn't. It's been fun, but it's time to step away and do other things."

The story notes, "Callane is a 1960 graduate of Rushville High School where he lettered in football, baseball and basketball. He continued his basketball career at DePauw University and in 2002 was inducted into DePauw's Athletic Hall of Fame."

Writer Dave Kitchell adds, "He taught at Spencer, Rushville, Danville and Linton before coming to Kokomo, where in 1976-77, he took over as varsity boys basketball coach at Haworth High School. He stayed in that position until the reorganization of Kokomo and Haworth in 1984. Callane replaced Ron Barsh as Kokomo High's athletic director in 1987-88 and during his tenure, three times received the Charles F. Maus Distinquished Service Award. He was also named Athletic Director of the Year in District II in 1997. While Callane has been the school's athletic director, Kokomo teams have won four state championships and five North Central Conference All-Sports Awards."