Thank you Mallory and Sariah == very kind words . . . . and very well done.
Thank you to Mr Schmitt and to the Wall of Fame Committee – Bart and others. . . . This is really a wonderful honor. Thank you to Mr Benash for the Art work and Tony Schmit and Marian Viney for the kind words on the plaque. And thank you to my family, and many friends and everyone who has come today.
First, I’d like to congratulate Mr Gentilli – or G as the kids call him. . . I can think of no one better to be sitting alongside for this honor. Your accomplishments as a teacher – as a coach—as a dad and husband – something we all have appreciated.
I am sure some of you may not know me – but probably had heard about me. Yes, (and I will paraphrase an old Bob Uecker quote in a way – Yes, I was the guy that combined with Ken Bartelt to score nearly 30 points a game in Basketball back in 1981 – you may not have heard that my 4 points a game is what put us close. Or maybe it was my football accomplishments – yup – That one touchdown I scored against Verona in 1980 is probably how you know me. So maybe it’s not my athletic achievements that got this recognition.
All kidding aside, It is a very nice honor - to be recognized .. . . and I am more than a little uncomfortable up here with any kind of recognition. I really have been lucky to have so many past winners being part of my life. . . . . to touch on just a few—Van Rear and I were talking about how lucky we were to have had really the same coaches for our high School sports – Mr. Becker, Mr Freitag and Mr Wick were our football, baseball and basketball coaches all four years – and Add in JP as my Junior Varsity Basketball coach. Mr Vogler was my junior high science teacher, Mike O’Connor, who has done so much for our community, has been a good friend since high school and college. Mr Fitch, Mr Hagemann, really so many I can’t mention them all . . .. I have been lucky.
When I think about some of those coaches. . . . They really had an impact on me . . . . and so many memories . . . . Mr Becker would, after we ran a play in football that wasn’t successful, he would holler across the field – so that everyone, including the opposing coaches and players – RUN IT AGAIN! Needless to say, Mr Becker wasn’t much for the element of surprise! Mr Frietag would get so frustrated after a fumble in football – In all his excitement, He’d holler – You are carrying it like a loaf of eggs. I remember Mr Wick really let us have it after one game, I think in Albany, where we decided to go the concession stand before the Varsity Basketball game They had a bake sale going on, and we all ate a bunch of pie . . . . well, we didn’t play well that night . .. and when we got to practice the next week – He really let us have it for not being focused on the game. . . . . But It worked – we went on a roll after that -- and won Conference basketball title that year—I think at the time for the first time in 20-30 years! And didn’t eat any more pie before games. Other coaches – Monte Olson and John Morgan as well – people who gave so much of their time – it really set an example for me for later in life.
My life begins and ends with Gratitude. So besides being grateful for so many past winners – because of their influence on my life – I have to stop and show some gratitude for the most important people in my life. First, my best friend and wife Lori – Thank you! EVERYTHING in my life since we met some 40+ years ago has been accomplished with the two of us working together on it. Love you! I’d also like to thank our three sons – I understand they may have been some part of the application process for this award—which makes it even more special – Thank you Ross, Tom and Justin! I am so proud of each of you – and who you have become. And now joining our family with Ross-- Amanda and our granddaughter Palmer – as well as with Tom with his Fiancé Stephanie – Thank you to all of you too – for adding so much as you have become members of our family!
As for the award – I suppose it has something to do the time spent over the years – as a youth soccer, basketball and baseball coach when they were growing up. I started as a soccer coach when Ross was just 4 and they needed a soccer coach for kindergarten soccer – well, I ended up coaching soccer for over 15 years – and also coached many years in basketball and baseball as the kids grew up. I really enjoyed that time to be with them and
all their friends.
I remember coaching early on– I would tell the kids to turn and run down around the soccer goal as a warmup – they would immediately turn and do it. No questions asked. Man, I thought I must be a really good coach – for them to do exactly as I told them – well, The next group of kids I coached, If I told them to turn and run around the goal – some would probably do it – but others would trip a buddy on the way – or tackle someone – or just goof around. I couldn’t believe it—why weren’t they listening to me-- but over time I learned to appreciate this group for their fun loving nature and their desire to make everything fun. And it was probably much later – I finally had an aha moment – when I realized to appreciate each team, each individual – for who they were and what they wanted out of the game. Its not really about the coach!
My family has always been involved in the School District. My Dad was a school Board member -- I think more than 10 years -- my mom was a kindergarten aide for many years after she was done raising 7 kids and feeding and caring for a Cheese factory crew as we grew up. With my career at Findorff – I was able to be part of the building of the remodeling of the Elementary School as well as the new Tech Ed department, And no – I didn’t do any actual building – I have no talents that way – but really enjoyed helping with that project to help the Schools grow. All of my Brothers and sisters have gone through here -- and I am a proud Class of 1981 graduate. And Obviously all our kids have graduated from here. I also had the opportunity to be part of the School Referendum planning Committee this past year.
A school is really the heart of a community – and Belleville has been that and much more. Belleville Schools provided everything I needed to be successful in career, in family life, to raise children, who also have grown to be successful in college and their careers.
I know that I have had opportunities that many kids didn’t have – which is one of the reasons why we all need to work hard to continue to provide opportunities for all kids – from all backgrounds—from wherever they have come from in their lives --even those with special needs. Belleville School District has always provided those opportunities for all kids. And it’s also why we need to continue to support Public schools for the benefit of all!
Another area we have been recently involved with is helping downtown to grow some business. Lori and I along with the wonderful partnership of Denny and Rachel Baker had the opportunity to help get some buildings remodeled and open for business. After Lori and I retired – we both wanted to get even more involved in Belleville. Lori with her work at the food pantry – and I got involved in some Village of Belleville Committees. We tried to support local businesses during COVID as much as we could – we’d get pizza delivered from JonnyO’s carryout business – and because I was missing talking business –Jon Sunderlage, JonnyO—would deliver our pizza to us at home. And we would end up talking about his business – often, the pizza would get cold as we stood outside on our front porch talking about his business. And when the opportunity came up, we were able to buy the old
Monona Bank Building to remodel into the new JonnyO’s Pizzeria. Somewhere along the line – The 1917 Garage Building came up for sale –as well as what was the Quilt Shop – or Becker Funeral Home and Furniture store. So, Lori and I and the Bakers invested in those buildings too. We are VERY close to moving Rich and Michelle Joseph and the team into the Hop Garden at the 1917 Garage building –I’m so excited to show you the view of the dam and across the water from the back of the Hop Garden 1917 Garage– and have been working with Akaylah and Erik Jaeke on what could be next for the Quilt shop.
I guess the point is – opportunity comes up at times – for you to get involved in projects that both would benefit Belleville and also be fun to help get going. I’ve seen it with lots of people here in town – Rodger Goke retired and as soon as he could, he became a school bus driver – and has now for 15 years! Van Rear has been reffing basketball and umping baseball for many years – besides hosting many events for kids down at Borlands. And when the time came that the Softball field needed a lunch stand and dugouts – Bill Froehlich and Denny Baker stepped up to help build those with others. Lots of people continue to give back to our community.
So, for the Seniors out here—I’m sure you are anxious to get back to class, so I won’t keep you much longer – look for ways to help others out – and it’s OK to do it in areas that you enjoy spending your time and are good at. There are lots of opportunities to help others.
Belleville is at a unique point in its history – we are growing with houses and apartments being built. We are starting to take advantage of the wonderful beauty we have along the Sugar River and Lake Belle-View as well as the bike path -- and we are getting businesses built downtown that are excited to be a part of that growth. In 5-10 years, we have no doubt, Belleville is going to be a destination for many people for years to come!
It’s an exciting time to be in Belleville! And a Great day to be a Wildcat!
Thank you!
Tim Stadleman