To the editor | It was not an easy decision

It was with a heavy heart that I submitted my resignation to the Saint Joseph-Ogden High School Board of Education as head coach of the SJO soccer team. It was not an easy decision but at the end of the day it was best for the student athletes, the school, myself and my family.

I am very thankful to the school administration for giving me the opportunity to coach at such a great school. I truly enjoyed all of my years on the coaching staff. We can be proud of the many great accomplishments, including:

• Four players have been given the opportunity to play in college
• One player received National Player of the Week
• Two players made All Sectional Honorable Mention
• Seven players made All Conference First Team
• Seven players made All Conference Second Team
• Five players made All Conference Honorable Mention
• One player made All Area Second Team
• Ten players made All Area Honorable Mention
• Improved discipline greatly reducing our dissent yellow cards nearly 100%

I was honored in 2018 with the Sectional Coach of the Year award in which I was nominated and voted on by local coaches for the positive impact and development of our players we were making with SJO soccer. Sadly, there are still culture changes that need to take place with the soccer program.

Regardless, I leave this position with tremendous appreciation for both the opportunity and for the experience, but more than anything I value the relationships I have developed with past & current athletes and the many friendships made along the way.

Dan Vogelsang
St. Joseph

Flashback Friday: Spartans drop close one at home

St. Joseph-Ogden's Roth Vowels rubs the head of teammate Blake Hoveln after a big play during their Sangamon Valley Conference basketball game against Momence back on December 11 in 2009. The Redskins pulled out a 59-56 victory in an exciting 32-minute matchup. Vowels scored a team-high 20 points in the contest. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Blake Hoveln puts up a shot up for SJO while Redskins' Jose Andrade goes up next to him to block the shot. See more photos from this week's Flashback Friday feature here. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

SJO Dance Team Member strike a pose in the routine finale during their halftime performance. Follow this link to see more photos of St. Joseph-Ogden Dance Team from the PhotoNews. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Spartans' Will Firkins (right) gives teammate Shane Canfield a hug after sinking a basket and drawing a foul on the play. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Spartans' Jared Orcutt looks for an open teammate to pass the ball in his team's home game against Momence. See more St. Joseph-Ogden sport photos in the PhotoNews Media Archive. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)