Matthews takes over as Tipp Middle School AD

For Kaci Matthews, she has been a key part of the Tippecanoe athletic success the past several years as the head coach of both the boys and girls tennis programs at the high school. Now, Matthews takes on a new role as she moves into the athletic director position at Tippecanoe Middle School, and she looks to continue the growing success of the athletes as they make their way to the high school level.

Matthews, a Milton Union graduate and former National Champion point guard with Ashland University’s women's basketball team, makes the move from teaching physical education to the position where she will oversee the entire middle school athletic program.

“Karl Stanbery was the AD here last year, and they created the position last year because there is a lot that goes into it. I think that Tipp, in general, places a lot of emphasis on not only our academics but also our athletics,” Matthews said. “They saw the need to have someone who is in the building and with the kids to support them not only academically, but also athletically.”

“They needed someone to fill that AD role because it is so much, and there are only 24 hours in a day. You can’t be everywhere at once, and they saw a need to have a permanent fixture in that role. When they approached me, I had to take a step back because this could be pretty life changing in terms of how much time I was going to be spending outside of the home. I have a great support system at home with my husband, and we talked about it. I never like to turn down an opportunity and this was put in front of me. I have been a fan of sports for so long and my dad instilled a lot of competitive nature in me when I was young.”

“I don’t like to do anything if I can't do it well,” she added. “I told the admin here let’s try this and I am so glad I took advantage of this opportunity.”

Matthews knows this job is very detail-oriented and combining that with her teaching Life Skills at the middle school, it keeps her busy through the entire school day.

“They worked with me with the schedule because there is a lot that goes on throughout the day. I am constantly getting emails dealing with parents, coaches. and officials, and it really is a full-time thing,” she said. She teaches all morning, then has the last two periods of the day to handle all of the athletic duties that need to be done.

“If I don’t respond to emails before noon, that is why,” she joked. “It has been an adjustment; you really have to prioritize what is an emergency and what can wait. It has been a great learning opportunity for me.”

Matthews has learned a lot of the insides of the job from high school athletic director Kregg Creamer, and Matthews is glad to have a good mentor.

“I have learned a lot about the process, and Kregg has taught me how to do the back work that is done,” Matthews said. “He is a walking rulebook, and he knows so much about being a leader; he has blessed me with a lot of that knowledge. Bottom line, I am just learning everything.”

She also praised the secretary, Jane Stenger, who has helped her make the move to the new job.

“She has been a Godsend for me,” Matthews said. “She has handled all the athletic fees, back work to the officials, and so much behind the scenes; she has done so much for me.”

*Some coaches have been named at the middle school as we begin the new school year. The head coach of 8th grade football is Chad Kuhn, and 7th grade football is Tony Craft. Volleyball has named Alexa Vagades as their 7th grade coach and Ashley Flynn as the 8th grade coach.

Also, 7th grade boys basketball is Dillon Blair, 8th grade boys basketball Wayne Games, 7th grade girls basketball is Corinne Thomas, and 8th grade girls basketball is Daniel Bentley.