By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – For the first time since the school’s inaugural year, Bedford North Lawrence is looking outside of its normal boundaries for leadership in the athletic department.
Michael Babin, with previous experience at high schools in Ohio and Florida, has been hired as the new athletic director. He follows in the footsteps of Gil Fey, Ray Manis, Mike Short, Jeff Callahan and Adam Yates as the sixth man to lead the sports programs in the school’s 52-year history.
Babin comes to BNL after three years at North Central, a small school (student population of 240) located in Pioneer in northwest Ohio. He was also the AD at Liberty High School (over 1,900 students) in Kissimmee, Fla. for two years.
Stepping into the void created by the unexpected departure of Yates after one season, Babin inherits a staff with nine first- or second-year coaches. His first priority with be introductions to start the process of familiarizing himself with the coaches and athletes.
“Any time there’s this large of a change, and the AD is a very important position at any school, I don’t want to come out and say we’re going to change X, Y and Z,” Babin said. “The big thing for me will be learning more about the culture, having the important one-on-one meetings with the coaches, with members of the community, the athletes and parents, to figure out what works and doesn’t work.
”Not being from the area is a challenge. I don’t see myself wiping the slate clean, I have no interest in doing that. I want to learn first. I also want to re-establish the standard of a championship-caliber mindset across the board.”
Babin was attracted to BNL’s history of success and tradition in multiple sports, plus the recent additions and upgrades to on-campus facilities.
”It’s the history of BNL sports, the recent success, that is always a good thing,” he said. “You want to go somewhere where the programs are winning on the scoreboard. That’s exciting for anybody. But it’s also the community support I’ve seen.
”It’s a great size of school for my personality and experience. The facilities are the best I’ve ever had the chance to work with. That’s big, to be able to brag we have some top-tier facilities in the state of Indiana, and the country.”
Recent turnover in the coaching staff is not unique to BNL. In fact, other schools in the Hoosier Hills Conference have gone through leadership change with new ADs. In a league that used to be known for its longevity, Seymour’s Kirk Manns is now the dean of the ADs in the HHC with nine years on the job.
Babin, who has coached soccer and golf, wants the Stars to continue shining in multiple sports.
”The recent success of girls basketball (with a fifth state championship in 2023) is fantastic, and I’m excited to be in a bigger school with football,” he said. “Friday Night lights are fun. When the basketball teams are playing well, the gym is packed. When football is playing well, the stands are packed.
“Having the other sports being successful is also important. The ‘marquee’ sports get all the attention, but I’m a big proponent of shining the spotlight on the individual sports as well.”
Babin graduated from high school in 2011 and later earned degrees at Florida Gulf Coast and Lynn University. He and his wife Dena (who is originally from Jennings County) have a one-year old son Maverick.
Callahan will continue with his interim duties until Babin can integrate into the area.
