By Jeff Dobbs
Delta HS Eagle’s Eye newspaper
On the job for just 18 months, Delta High School athletic director Stan Daugherty has overseen the creation of the Blue Crew student cheerblock, the Building Foundations program and Fellowship of Christian Athletes Ignite chapter. And he has watched the volleyball team win the Class 3A State Championship. But he isn’t even close to satisfied.
Daugherty hopes that he can establish a real emphasis on Delta Athletics as a learning tool for life skills.
“I know that every coach and player wants to win (championships), but it’s just not a reality for most teams,” he said. “I want teams to reach their potential as teams, and I want athletes to reach their potential as people.”
He has to think of new ways to bring fans and students to sporting events and get them involved in as many ways as possible. Daugherty is responsible for organizing and running about 250 home sporting events during the school year. It is a busy job, but one which he enjoys.
“The most fun and enjoyable parts of this job are the relationships with people, particularly the administration, coaches and students,” Daugherty said.
Despite the long, strenuous days, Daugherty said he never gets bored. “My days change from day to day, but normally my day is spent organizing athletic events, fixing problems and answering questions,” he said. “I like to be out working with people, so I try to get out of my office each day and just be available to help coaches and students.”
His secretary, Mrs. Tammy Hahn, handles everything when he is out of the office. “She does a great job of running the office in a sense of computer and paperwork that needs to be done on a daily basis,” he said.
Daugherty does everything he can to make Delta Athletics the best that they can be.
“Mr. Daugherty stands out because he’s always positive, he’s genuinely interested in the students and he goes far beyond what he’s required to do,” said Tim Cleland, boys’ tennis and girls’ tennis coach.
Daugherty returned to Delta as athletic director in the Fall of 2007 after a long career as a basketball coach. He coached the varsity basketball team at Delta High School in the 1980s. One of his players was Matt Painter, now the head basketball coach at Purdue University. Daugherty went on to coach at Anderson University and Goshen College before accepting the Delta AD position.
“I miss not having a team because it is easier to connect with a student as a coach than it is as an athletic director,” he said. “I am trying to find new ways to connect with our students as an athletic director. I enjoy when a team does well and they are rewarded for their hard work.”
One of his innovative ways to connect with students was his creation of the Blue Crew last year. The student cheerblock now has more than 325 members. During halftime contests, Blue Crew members have chances to win cash and other prizes. Contests include such things as paper-airplane flying contests and kicking footballs for distance.
“I would like to see all of the Blue Crew at all the varsity games and meets and actively cheering during the games,” he said.
Daugherty also implemented his Building Foundations program for all of the athletic teams. This program stresses the character values of Commitment, Perseverance, Self-Control, Integrity, Responsibility and Respect.
“If all the coaches and athletes are touched in some way by these characteristics, then my job as athletic director at Delta High School has been successful,” he said.
He helped start the FCA Ignite chapter this fall. About 25 students meet on Tuesday mornings before school.
Daugherty also organized a 40-Year Reunion of all Delta athletics and arranged for Matt Painter to return as speaker.
Daugherty enjoys biking, walking and playing golf in the summer. And after his day as athletic director is over, he likes to spend time with his wife, Brenda, their two sons and grandchildren.
“We enjoy going out to eat and having our grandchildren over to spend the night with Papaw and Nana,” he said.
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