We take a closer look at Newman Catholic Coach Paul Michlig, with our world-famous interview: Baked or Fried? Read on to learn the inside scoop on the coach with multiple state championships to his credit…
OnFocus: What sports did you play in high school?
Michlig: I had the opportunity to play Football, Basketball, and run track at Newman Catholic High
School.
OnFocus: How do amateur sports benefit students, parents, and the community?
Michlig: Without a question high school athletics gives student-athletes opportunities just like the
classroom. For the students it gives them the opportunity to work with other people, strive
for excellence (and learning how to fail, we don’t ALL win), work ethic, determination,
revealing character in adverse situations, learning the process of being successful in the
sport and carrying over that to life. I could keep going with that for a long time. I am
learning as a parent, athletics gets to let us let go of our kids and having them handling
everything I mentioned above. It isn’t easy to do that, but they will be better off for it. The
community gets to see the end result, win or lose. Having the community support is
essential to the whole process. Nothing like having all three on the same page!
OnFocus: How have you been involved in sports in your adult life?
Michlig: Been the head football coach for 23 years at Newman Catholic. Head Boys and Girls Track
Coach for a combined 22 years. Varsity Assistant for Basketball for 8 Years, Middle School for another 5, and now Elementary coach for last two years.
OnFocus: What do you enjoy about your involvement in athletics?
Michlig: Nothing better then seeing student-athletes grown as players and off the field as adults that will go and become amazing husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, parents, etc. When you see players 10 to 15 years later and what they have become, pretty special. Going to weddings, see them become parents for the first time, seeing them succeed in their profession. Nothing better then that comes from athletics.
OnFocus: If there could only be one concession food in the world, what would you want it to be?
Michlig: Walking Taco’s Al Romportl has been at Newman for 30 years, and he had the best walking taco’s.
OnFocus: What would you do with the money if you won 10 millions dollars in the lottery?
Michlig: Go enjoy life with my loved ones.
OnFocus: Is there something most people don’t know about you?
Michlig: I worked on my Uncle’s farm when I was young for many years, in my second life, I want to do that. Love that life.
OnFocus: What job did you want when you were growing up?
Michlig: Excactly what I am doing right now. Dean of Students, Co-Athletic Director, and coaching.
Living my dream.
OnFocus: What do you most enjoy watching on television?
Michlig: Usually it is sports to be honest. The three shows always on when going to sleep, Seinfeld, King of Queens, and Survivor.
OnFocus: Who was an influential coach that has made a difference in your life?
Michlig: I was lucky to have some of the best coaches you could find. Two of the three are in their
respective all of fames. Kevin Grundy for football, Dan Witter for basketball, and Don Tinjum
for track. All three of them showed me what to do on and off the field, and all three of them would help anytime that I needed it starting my coaching career. Was lucky enough to win a state championship with Coach Tinjum as my assistant when is son was on our track team. Lucky to
have three coaches that were as good as human beings as coaches. I won’t ever forget that.
OnFocus: How do you unwind and enjoy your free time?
Michlig: Spending time with my beautiful wife and twin boys that mean the world to me. Coach Steff would say, don’t miss those times with the family. I try not to.
OnFocus: What would be an appropriate Super Hero nickname for you, and what would your powers be?
Michlig: I feel like we live in a make believe world sometimes so this is right up my alley. Let’s go with Flash. I like speed. Could use that at my age now!
OnFocus: Who are your favorite athletes?
Michlig: Terrell Buckley- 50 career INT’s, people forget that. And he started the Packers dynasty with that punt return against the Bengals at the start of the 4th quarter to make Brett Favre’s TD happen at the end of the game!
OnFocus: Who is your role model(s)?
Michlig: My parents. They still take care of me to this day! First call or talk is with them. They did it the right way I feel and I hope that I make them proud everyday.
OnFocus: Baked or Fried? If you could pick only one, which would it be?
Michlig: Fried
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
