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Tim Garver is North Putnam's new AD
ROACHDALE -- Only one year after accepting the head coaching job for the South Putnam girls' basketball team, Tim Garver has accepted the position of athletic director for North Putnam.
Announced at the North Putnam school board meeting Wednesday night, Garver's contract with North Putnam will officially take effect July 1.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to work with student athletes at North Putnam," Garver said.
Garver, 55, was an assistant coach at Cascade before accepting the head coaching position at South Putnam. While at South Putnam, Garver worked with parents to bolster the performance of the Eagle girls' basketball program which included setting up the elementary league, working with the booster club and setting up the summer league in which several area school now participate.
"There are things happening very fast," Garver said. "That's for sure. Here was the opportunity that was presented. I applied and it was a good fit."
Garver has done his part trying to improve the girls' basketball program in just his one year and hopes to have a bigger impact on the athletic program in Cougar Country. NPHS has several vacant coaching spots including both varsity basketball head coaching positions and boys' golf.
"I'm really looking forward to helping to improve athletics at North Putnam and working with student athletes, coaches and the administration," Garver said. "Obviously a goal is to get all the positions filled and making sure that the game contracts are up to date."
Of course with North Putnam's inclusion into the realigned Western Indiana Conference, Garver's plate is more loaded than a typical athletic director's would be at the onset.
The new WIC will be split into two divisions for athletics with the East consisting of North Putnam, Cloverdale, Owen Valley, Edgewood, Brown County and Cascade. The West will include South Putnam, Greencastle, West Vigo, Northview, South Vermillion and Sullivan.
"The biggest challenge I see is making sure we get all those conference games scheduled," Garver said. "The year after North Putnam will be moving to the other side of the conference taking South Vermillion's place. So that's another challenge getting contracts in place for that following year."
While he has never held the position of athletic director, Garver's had plenty of experience dealing with matters typical of the position.
"For the past 28 years I've worked with schools, superintendents and athletic directors all across the state of Indiana," he said. "I have a good understanding of school finances and school law. That was my role. I have a lot of experience going into a school and figuring out solutions that would help improve the learning environment for students and staff."
Garver will be leaving an Eagle basketball team that improved dramatically in his year there as South Putnam climbed to a .500 season. The coach consistently talked of developing a winning atmosphere at South Putnam.
"I totally enjoyed coaching a great group of girls," Garver said. "I enjoyed helping to build programs that weren't there when I arrived. I will definitely miss those girls that I started with. They are a great group of kids."
While Garver is still coaching the Eagles in the summer league at South Putnam, Garver met with the players Thursday evening. It will be the players' decision as to whether Garver finishes out as coach during the summer tournaments or if one of the assistant coaches will take over.
"We're going to put it back on the kids and see how they want to handle this," Garver said. "I'm good with it either way. For the seniors Katie Hewitt, Jessica Modglin and Becca Hazlett I'm going to miss those kids. I'm going to miss them all but for the seniors that's a special time."
While the term may not have officially begun, Garver said he is anxious to get into North Putnam and get the ball rolling for next season.
"I'm excited to get in there and hit the floor running," Garver said. "I've already begun working with the administrative assistant there. The big thing is to get there and get an opportunity to meet the students."