Who would’ve guessed that a student sitting in Art Paulson’s tech ed classes in the mid-1990s would someday design the sports fields just steps outside those classrooms at Oconto Falls High School.
On Monday night, the Oconto Falls School Board presented BJ Eisch with the Friend of Education award for nurturing the seeds planted by Paulson and producing the basis for designs of the softball complex and football stadium, as well as the renovated entrance at Abrams Elementary School.
“No big deal,” Eisch said in a telephone interview Friday, then quickly backtracked. “I mean it is is a big deal, but it was stuff I was going to do anyway.”
He was quick to share the spotlight with Mike Bouche, Debbie Woods, Jerry Moynihan and others.
“There’s a lot of people that are involved. It isn’t just me,” Eisch said.
He credited Bouche for doing most of the legwork for the softball fields, where the first games were played last spring.
“Between everybody, we’re dangerous enough to take care of business,” Eisch said.
Joanne Michalski, principal of Abrams School, nominated Eisch for the Friend of Education award, presented annually to a person who has made a valuable contribution to the betterment of education for students at Oconto Falls area schools. Michalski praised Eisch’s redesign of the vehicle entrance and parking lot at Abrams Elementary, funded by $660,000 in referendum money.
Eisch, a designer with CQM Inc., of Green Bay, took rough plans and fleshed out a design.
“He took time to meet with our parent organization to gain feedback,” Michalski wrote on her nomination form. “Even though his company was unable to do further work, he continues to assist with the planning and preparation. His expertise is valued and appreciated.”
The redesign is scheduled to take place this summer.
The nomination form also mentioned Eisch’s devotion to youth wrestling.
“While his son attended Abrams, he would assist with how the program ran within the building. I could contact him and he would follow through if there were concerns of safety or conduct of participants,” Michalski wrote.
Eisch assists with the Washington Middle School program, where his sixth-grade son wrestles, while continuing to organize youth wrestling events. Eisch said he wants the wrestling program to remain strong in the Oconto Falls School District.
“I’d like to see it stay successful. We’ve had such good leaders in the past,” he said.
Eisch graduated from Oconto Falls High School in 1996 and was three-sport athlete, competing in football, wrestling and baseball.
“I’m excited to see the games at both the softball field and football field. That should be fun and good for everybody,” he said.
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