The Optimist

MaryClaire Cieply

News Editor

Panther football alumnus Marcus Etnier, who is currently playing football for Indiana State University, said Drew Wood made his high school football experience great.  “Coach Wood worked hard to make his teams better not just on the field, but off the field too,” said Etnier, “He has done a lot for his players trying to play football at the next level.”
      After six years of coaching, South football coach Wood has decided to retire in order to achieve higher educational goals in his life.  Although he loves coaching, after a lot of deliberation, Wood has decided to begin taking classes at Ball State University to eventually pursue a career position of superintendant.  Wood will both miss coaching and be missed as a coach here at South.  “I love, love, love the kids.  South’s football program is great, and so is the parent involvement,” said Wood. 
      Wood has recently accepted the job of Energy Education director, a newly created position in MCCSC.  He will be working with all of the schools in the area to conserve energy and “go green.”  Wood is excited to begin brainstorming ideas to help put money back into the general fund so that things like teacher and pay cuts are not so prevalent in the system.  Wood describes this job as similar to coaching, in that he has to make people want to change their ways to help the bigger picture, just like as if it were a team.  “No one wants to be sprinting 40’s, but they do it to make the team better, which hopefully is how everyone reacts to ‘going green,’” said Wood.  Although he has accepted this position, Wood will still be taking classes at Ball State.
“I was lucky to have Coach Wood all four years,” said senior Jordan Hogue, “but he should do what he wants to do and what makes him happy.”