HS Athletic Director Jim Callane '64, Retiring in June, Honored by Indiana's Governor

May 17, 2005

May 17, 2005, Greencastle, Ind. - As Kokomo (Indiana) High School Athletic Director Jim Callane prepares to retire after 39 years in education, what has he enjoyed the most? "Seeing a boy or girl come in as a freshman and four years later, watching as they graduate as a young man or woman for whom athletics became an important part of their high school experience," the 1964 DePauw University graduate tells the Kokomo Tribune. "They don't have to be an Indiana All-Star or all-conference to be successful, but seeing that athletics played a big part in their development and growth."

Today's edition of the newspaper includes an article on Callane, who will step down at the end of June. John Dempsey writes, "Callane was honored Friday night with a retirement party that was attended by present and former KHS and Haworth coaches, along with friends and athletic department officials from Marion and Muncie Central. State Rep. John Smith, R-Kokomo, surprised Callane by giving him the Distinguished Hoosier Award, signed by Gov. Mitch Daniels. 'That was great to see,' said longtime Kokomo High School swimming coach Bob Croll. 'Jim is deserving of everything he gets.'"

Callane, who has served as Kokomo's athletic director since 1987, tells the newspaper, "Look at the other athletic directors in the North Central Conference and most are in their late 30s and 40s. This is a great job, but it's a demanding one with no timetable. It can go from sunrise to whenever that last contest finishes at night. After that amount of time, it takes its toll on you and you don't recover from those 16- or 17-hour days like you used to do." He adds, One thing I'm going to miss is the camaraderie with the coaches -- the chance to sit and eat lunch with them. We have a great coaching staff, a great mix of newcomers, experienced coaches and those there in the middle. It's been interesting to watch the transition. Twenty to 30 years in one building, you see some changes."

Access the article, headlined "A job well done," in its entirety by clicking here.

Jim Callane was inducted into the DePauw University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. Read more here.

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