Q: Currently, you and your wife, Patty, are retired and live in Elida, Ohio. After teaching, coaching and administration stints in Blanchester, Teays Valley, South Central and Granville, how did you end up in Elida?
A: Elida is Patty's hometown. She has a sister in a nursing home and we felt it was necessary to be near her. Also, she followed me around the state of Ohio for forty years in our teaching career and my coaching, so it was time to take her home.
Q: In 1998 you were inducted to the Wilmington College Athletic Hall of Fame for your efforts in football and baseball. You were All-Conference in football and baseball, and I assume you were a solid student. How were you able to balance, as well as excel in, two sports and academics in college?
A: When I entered college I considered myself an average student. It took me some time to understand the importance of balancing my time between academics and athletics. After meeting Patty it seemed to fall together. I realized the career I wanted to follow and what was needed to achieve my goals.
Q: From 1959-1961 you were part of 3 consecutive Mid-8 championship teams. Given the opportunity, how deep into the playoffs do you think those teams would have made it with the modern day playoff system?
A: I have no idea how far those teams would go. I do know there were some great athletes at Hilliard High School during those years. A good example was our class of 1962. We not only won the football championship but were District Champs in both baseball and track.
Q: I have had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Coach McElheny on 3 separate occasions and I really enjoyed every second of it. How big of an influence did Coach Mc’ have on you going into education and coaching?
A: We were blessed with great coaches during our time at HHS. Coach was a great influence and inspiration to all of the athletes. So many life lessons were learned. He was, also, a wonderful teacher. I tried to emulate him in my coaching career as well as my teaching. One of the most important things I learned from Coach was to be empathetic. I knew he really cared for us and I tried to carry that in my teaching and coaching. Make sure the kids know you really cared.
Q: Do you have any good Coach Mc’ stories that you would like to share?
A: Stories about coach. We seemed to always have a hill to take, stemming from his time during WWII. He would make you run to the well if you messed up. He always had names for certain groups i.e. our freshmen defensive team was called the "Terrible Tubs". We went against the Varsity in practice. We felt like a real part of the team.
Q: Hilliard Davidson vs. Dublin Coffman is a pretty big rivalry. What opponent did you love to play while at Hilliard High and why?
A: Our "Big" rivalry was London. Of course winning Championships and our senior year we beat London 20-6.
Q: What is your favorite Hilliard football memory?
A: Playing with some great people and having those friendships still today.
Q: What were the big “hot spots” in Hilliard during the early 1960’s?
A: I don't know if there were any real hot spots. Any place we could find to play some game. We would spend a lot of time at the "Big Bev" (Similar to Frisch’s Big Boy) on Broad St.
Q: How often do you come back to Hilliard?
A: I get back to Hilliard quite frequently. One of my sisters still lives in the house we lived in all those years ago and I have two of my brother’s still living in Hilliard.
Q: What advice would you give to the current Davidson football team?
A: I would tell the Davidson players to enjoy their time. It goes bye so quickly. Fifty years have gone bye in the blink of an eye. Play hard and play to the whistle, but do it with class because you represent a great program with a long and glorious tradition.
A: Elida is Patty's hometown. She has a sister in a nursing home and we felt it was necessary to be near her. Also, she followed me around the state of Ohio for forty years in our teaching career and my coaching, so it was time to take her home.
Q: In 1998 you were inducted to the Wilmington College Athletic Hall of Fame for your efforts in football and baseball. You were All-Conference in football and baseball, and I assume you were a solid student. How were you able to balance, as well as excel in, two sports and academics in college?
A: When I entered college I considered myself an average student. It took me some time to understand the importance of balancing my time between academics and athletics. After meeting Patty it seemed to fall together. I realized the career I wanted to follow and what was needed to achieve my goals.
Q: From 1959-1961 you were part of 3 consecutive Mid-8 championship teams. Given the opportunity, how deep into the playoffs do you think those teams would have made it with the modern day playoff system?
A: I have no idea how far those teams would go. I do know there were some great athletes at Hilliard High School during those years. A good example was our class of 1962. We not only won the football championship but were District Champs in both baseball and track.
Q: I have had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Coach McElheny on 3 separate occasions and I really enjoyed every second of it. How big of an influence did Coach Mc’ have on you going into education and coaching?
A: We were blessed with great coaches during our time at HHS. Coach was a great influence and inspiration to all of the athletes. So many life lessons were learned. He was, also, a wonderful teacher. I tried to emulate him in my coaching career as well as my teaching. One of the most important things I learned from Coach was to be empathetic. I knew he really cared for us and I tried to carry that in my teaching and coaching. Make sure the kids know you really cared.
Q: Do you have any good Coach Mc’ stories that you would like to share?
A: Stories about coach. We seemed to always have a hill to take, stemming from his time during WWII. He would make you run to the well if you messed up. He always had names for certain groups i.e. our freshmen defensive team was called the "Terrible Tubs". We went against the Varsity in practice. We felt like a real part of the team.
Q: Hilliard Davidson vs. Dublin Coffman is a pretty big rivalry. What opponent did you love to play while at Hilliard High and why?
A: Our "Big" rivalry was London. Of course winning Championships and our senior year we beat London 20-6.
Q: What is your favorite Hilliard football memory?
A: Playing with some great people and having those friendships still today.
Q: What were the big “hot spots” in Hilliard during the early 1960’s?
A: I don't know if there were any real hot spots. Any place we could find to play some game. We would spend a lot of time at the "Big Bev" (Similar to Frisch’s Big Boy) on Broad St.
Q: How often do you come back to Hilliard?
A: I get back to Hilliard quite frequently. One of my sisters still lives in the house we lived in all those years ago and I have two of my brother’s still living in Hilliard.
Q: What advice would you give to the current Davidson football team?
A: I would tell the Davidson players to enjoy their time. It goes bye so quickly. Fifty years have gone bye in the blink of an eye. Play hard and play to the whistle, but do it with class because you represent a great program with a long and glorious tradition.