This past weekend, members of the 2010 Lima Central Catholic basketball team gathered to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their amazing run to a state championship. That T-Bird team became the first boys basketball squad in Lima history to capture a state title. It was also the last game of my coaching career. Where did the time go?
What I remember most about the team was its ability to overcome adversity and its unselfish chemistry. Nobody cared who got the credit, they just wanted to win. It was also a team that was loaded with leaders, top to bottom. It takes more than talent to capture championships.
The leadership and character the 2010 team displayed in their championship run didn’t end with a state title. Those traits followed them post-high school, college and in their careers. To illustrate my point, check out what these former T-Birds have been up to since bringing a state championship back to Lima.
SENIORS
Desi Kirkman: Graduated from Wittenberg University with a degree in sports management. Played four years of football there and made ESPN’s top ten highlights for an amazing touchdown reception. Took a position with American Airlines upon graduation. Currently resides in Los Angeles, California working as an agent for American Life Health Insurance. Has a son, Desmond Jr.
Jacob Rigali: Played one year of football at the University of Dayton before transferring to Ohio State University where he earned a degree in engineering (Industrial and Integrated Systems). Employed at Lima Memorial Health Systems as director of primary care and Walk-in Services. Coached in LCC junior high basketball program. Married to Morgan. They have a daughter, Poppy Jan.
Sam Stolly: Graduated from University of Dayton with major in management. While there he worked in various positions in the UD basketball program. After graduating he became a graduate assistant in basketball program at Purdue-Fort Wayne where he earned an MA in Organizational Leadership. Currently a media consultant with Cox Media in Dayton. He is engaged to Alysa and they plan a July wedding.
JUNIORS
Derek Allen: Upon graduation became a world traveler including much of Southeast Asia and New Zealand. Currently residing in Lima and pursuing a music career as a guitarist. Hoping to drop an album in near future.
Bubba Krieg: Graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Currently employed at Vertiv Corporation in Columbus as an engineering sales rep. He plans to pursue an MBA from Ohio State University.
Taylor Royster: Graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Business/Marketing degree. Walked on to Falcon football team and earned an athletic scholarship in his second year. Currently the Operations Manager for DHL Supply Chain in Columbus. Married to high school sweetheart and cheerleader, Ali.
John Steiger: Graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Health Sciences. He then earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Mount St. Joseph University. He currently works as a physical therapist for Travel Healthcare in Charleston, West Virginia. He is engaged to Brittany and they plan a June wedding.
Austin Stolly: Graduated from the University of Cincinnati with double degrees in finance and entrepreneurship. Currently employed as an agent with Stolly Insurance here in Lima. He volunteered as the JV basketball coach at Oyler High School in Cincinnati the past two years.
SOPHOMORES
John Kidd: Graduated from the University of Findlay with a degree in finance: While at Findlay he lettered in tennis four years. Currently runs his own financial planning practice. Volunteer coach for UF tennis program and is ninth grade basketball coach at LCC.
Ty O’Connor: Graduated from Michigan State University with BS in supply side management and a graduate degree in market tesearch. Played football at MSU and was starting QB, leading the Spartans to wins at Ohio State and Notre Dame. Was an Academic All-Big Ten selection. Currently employed as manager of Packaging and Procurement for Kraft-Heinz in Chicago, Illinois.
Cory Stump: Graduated from Wittenberg University with a degree in biology. Played four years of football there. Selected as an Academic All-American. Currently enrolled in Marion University College of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana as third year medical student. Interested in pursuing the field of Radiology
Billy Taflinger: Graduated from Bluffton University with a degree in Mathematics and Economics. Played four years of basketball for the Beavers. Currently employed as an Operations Center Analyst for Marathon Petroleum in Findlay. Married to Claire.
FRESHMAN
Tre’on Johnson: Attended the University of Cincinnati majoring in communications. He has established himself as a popular radio personality on I-Heart radio in Cincinnati. Recently promoted to custom producer. Also pursuing a musical career as a hip hop artist under the name Dayo Gold. He has a documentary produced and aired on the PBS network.
STUDENT ASSISTANTS
Cory Duff: Graduated from Rhodes State and Ohio Police Officers Academy with degrees in law enforcement. Currently employed by State of Ohio as a correction officer
Kian Searcy: Graduated from Toledo University with a degree in secondary education. He is employed as a Social Studies teacher at Lima Senior High School. He is pursuing a MA degree in American History and Government from Ashland University in order to teach college classes in high school.
Nick Schroeder: Attended Rhodes State University. Currently resides in Sarasota, Florida and is employed at Rhinestone World.
The rewards of being involved with athletics at the high school level are not limited to the accolades and attention focused on those fortunate enough to experience memorable achievements, like winning a state championship. The lessons learned and character built can impact young men and women for a lifetime.
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
