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Franklin Monroe gets
new Athletic Director
By George Starks
Matt Triplett
PITSBURG- When Andy McKibbon stepped down as the athletic earlier this
week, it was something no one saw coming except McKibbon himself.
That left a huge hole to fill at Franklin Monroe but it didn’t take
long for the administration to fill it. Matt Triplett was introduced to
the student body the next day as the permanent replacement for McKibbon.
Currently, Triplett is the FFA teacher at FM.
Married to his wife Brandy, Triplett, 25, lives in New Carlisle with
his wife and two children and is a graduate of Tecumseh High School.
“We have a big support system here at the school involving the
community and the staff and I’ve always wanted to be an Athletic
Director,” said Triplett. “When Mr. McKibbon stepped down, it was
brought to my attention and I was asked if I wanted to do it. I said
yes. I have a love for athletics and I thought this would be a good way
to get some experience.”
He got his degree from The Ohio State University and received his
Masters from the University of Dayton with his degree being in
administration.
So how did a guy from New Carlisle get to Franklin Monroe?
“The woman who was doing our wedding cake happened to live over here
and told me the Vo-Ag position was open,” Triplett stated. “FFA jobs
were hard to find at that time so I applied for it.”
It was a quick transition for Triplett.
“I have a lot going on with FFA activities as well as this,” Triplett
said. “I had to hurry up and jump on this being it was the beginning of
basketball season and I needed to make sure everything was right with
schedules of open gyms, that no one was over-lapping for gym time. It’s
been hectic.”
While some might look at the combination of the two jobs and the
commute as being a bit stressful, Triplett doesn’t.
“I see it as a challenge,” said Triplett. “If you schedule your time
properly and the fact that once we get things ironed out, it will be a
little smoother. In the spring, it’s not as hectic either so that
helps.”
Triplett said the biggest hurdle for him was to figure out everyone’s
schedules with open gyms and practices. He also said the kids, staff
and the community have been very supportive of him and the transition.
Currently, Triplett and the school is in the process of getting new
baseball and softball fields completed and hope to have them ready by
the 2013 season. The 2012 season will be played at the community park
in Pittsburg.
“The staff has told me if I needed anything to just ask. That made me
feel welcomed to the position,” Triplett said.
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