I told them, this was the way it was going to be. “We’d have a potluck with the parents and the players I’d say a few words to everyone and we’d dismiss the players so I could speak with the parents. “We had a when we started and it began during two-a-days,” Fortier said. “Surely he knew the family connections and the legacy there.” It took time for him to get his Arrows up to speed, finishing with a 4-5 record in his first campaign, but Fortier was quick to lay the groundwork for the highly successful seasons to follow. “Knowing Bob, he did his homework,” said Richard (Chuck) Schroyer, one of Fortier’s players who will also enter the Pipestone-Jasper Athletic Hall of Fame this fall as an athlete/coach. And newly appointed Pipestone High School Athletic Director Bob Nangle was quick to seek out the talented young coach whose first high school coaching stint was in nearby Tracy. The next year, though, we were 1-9.” His experiences as both a high school and college football player figured heavily into how Fortier approached his coaching duties after graduating from UK in 1970. “We had a plan couple of seasons where we didn’t do very well, but one year we finished 9-1 and went to the Orange Bowl. As a Jayhawk, Fortier again experienced a stellar season along with a not-so fruitful campaign. “We wanted to play big time’ football and received scholarships to play at the University of Kansas,” he said. “I learned what it took to do that, the dedication, the hard work and not looking ahead to the ball club even though it might not be a tough one on that particular Friday night.” Graduating from Bemidji High School in 1965, he and his twin brother Bob Fortier also nominated for the Bemidji Hall of Fame had their sights sets on continuing their football careers. “We were 26-0-1 during those three seasons, so knew what it was like to play on an undefeated team,” said Fortier, who started on both sides of the football after starting as a linebacker his freshman year. His father Bun, the first inductee in Bemidji’s Hall of Fame, led the Lumberjacks to several state basketball tournaments, and Fortier experienced three undefeated seasons in Bemidji on the gridiron. Nominated for induction to the Bemidji High School Athletic Hall of Fame for his prowess as a football, basketball and track & field athlete, Fortier learned how to succeed in competition early. While the Arrows’ success didn’t occur overnight, it was evident from the beginning of Fortier’s tenure that victories were bound to follow the young coach whose pedigree epitomized winning. Posting a record of 66 wins to a mere 19 losses over nine seasons under Fortier, the Arrows were the team to beat in the late 1970s and early 80s. Coach Lewis also has been a featured speaker at many coaching clinics across the country, including the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic and the Glazier Football Clinics.Ĭoach Lewis has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Secondary Education from Indiana University and a Master’s of Science degree in Education from the University of Southern Indiana.Ĭoach Lewis will be meeting with current staff immediately and with the returning players at Jasper High School Tuesday morning to introduce himself and begin a new chapter in Jasper Football History.Looking at Dick Fortier’s record as head football coach of the Pipestone Arrows, it’s quite easy to see why he will be inducted into the Pipestone-Jasper Athletic Hall of Fame, Sept. Tony has received several accolades throughout his coaching career including the Griddy’s 2010 Coach of the Year, Evansville Downtown Quarterback Club Coach of the Year in 2009, 3-Time Southern Ohio Conference Coach of the Year, and Ohio Associated Press All-Southeast District Div. Tony led the Reitz Panthers to 3 SIAC Conference titles, 4 City titles, 3 Sectional titles, 2 Regional titles, 1 Semi-State title, and the 2009 IHSAA 4A State Championship with a 15-0 record. While at Evansville Reitz, Tony compiled a record of 53-11. Tony is most notably known in the state of Indiana for his five seasons at the helm of the Evansville Reitz football program from 2008 – 2012. Tony Lewis has 17 Years of head coaching experience where he has compiled a career record of 131-66. ![]() Coach Lewis was a long-time assistant under state championship coach Bob Gaddis before he started his head coaching career. Coach Lewis has most recently served as the Head Football Coach at Richmond High School. Tonight, the Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools Board approved Tony Lewis as their Head Football Coach and only the 5 th leader of the storied football program. Jasper, January 28 th – Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools and Jasper High School has named a new Head Football Coach for only the 2 nd time since 1959. Jasper High School Names Tony Lewis as New Head Varsity Football Coach
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