By: Kylie Coffin, Co Editor-in-Chief
Posted April 1st, 2016
Slinger High School has announced that long time Guidance Counsellor Steve Bingen has been picked to fill the head coaching vacancy for the varsity cheer squad. Regarding the hire, SHS Athletic Director Dan Karius stated, “Boy, Steve is a great guy. He’s been around forever. He knows the kids. He knows the town. He knows the conference.” Then, with a well-known, enthusiastic grin, Karius concluded, “We had like 200 applicants, but after Steve’s interview, this hiring was a slam dunk.”
Steve Bingen is no stranger to being a leader in athletics. Three years ago Bingen was inducted into the Slinger High School Athletics Hall of Fame for his myriad of past coaching achievements. Even though he has been out of coaching for some time, Bingen does not seem concerned by the layoff. “I just wanted to get back in the game, so to speak,” said Bingen. “I feel like I still have a lot to give. I may be new to the whole cheer thing but finding new adventures has always been my thing. And, hey…when I was younger, I really was into acrobats and flips. In fact, I still now and then like to jump out of trees.”
When asked what these interests had to do with coaching cheerleading, Bingen countered with a blank stare.
Mr. Bingen will be starting his new duties this summer as he oversees cheer preparations first for the football season and then later for basketball. But Bingen does not want to just do some ‘standard routine’. Said Bingen, “We might be doing some routines down at the State Fair. I am in the Hall of Fame down there too, you know?” Bingen also would not rule out dressing like an elf and taking part in some Christmas themed event come next holiday season. “I used to run with the kids when I coached cross country. Maybe I can do some cheers with the kids now?” Bingen reasoned.
Karius’ rued one aspect of the hire, however. “My only regret is that the timing is bad since I’m retiring. I would love to see the day to day job this cat is going to be doing,” lamented Karius. When told about Karius’ regret, Bingen responded by indicating that “I actually tried to get this job five years ago, I think, but the application I filled out got lost on my desk”.
Happy April Fools!
