
3 minute read
Making changes… …but not too many
by cistercian
ATHLETIC FACILITIES RENOVATIONS
Bob Haaser, longtime teacher, administrator, coach and—in his heart of hearts—Hawk cheerleader extraordinaire, has had a front row seat for what may seem like many changes over the past 50-plus years. But mostly, he’s observed what has remained the same.
When Bob joined Cistercian in 1969, he had no office. One wasn’t available. In 1972, the first gymnasium was built, and he finally was able to move into his own office. “Bill Coombes, the head football coach and athletic director, and I got the two offices on the first floor of the gym,” he recalled. “And now, we’re blowing out all the walls and doing all this work. It’s almost as if we’re starting over. But it’s appropriate, because 50 years is a long time and this is more of a rejuvenation than real change.
“For me, the major renovations to the athletic department’s facilities symbolize good things ahead for Cistercian sports, so the future of athletics is exciting. But will anything really change? No. The monks will make sure of that. They have a program that was brought over from Hungary, and that’s going to remain stable. We are here to help build boys into strong young men. Athletics is a part of that puzzle, but just one part. We will continue to emphasize the other important components of academics, spirituality, social development, and community service.”
Appropriately enough, the rejuvenation has begun where Haaser began his career as a Hawk—on the ground floor of the gym. •







