Jim Hettler

JIM HETTLER, FW South Side, 1947

Coached at New Paris High School, 1957 to 1965, posting an overall record of 131 victories against 69 losses. At New Paris, he turned the program around immediately. He won the Elkhart County tourney that first year, beating a good Middlebury team, 51-50, then lost a heart-breaker to heavily-favored Elkhart, 41-39 in the sectional. His 1953-64 and 64-65 teams were 20-3 and 21-3. Jim went to LaVille for two years, then returned as assistant principal and athletic director at Fairfield, a consolidation of New Paris and Millersburg. He served four years as principal, then returned to the AD post and taught business and health. He served on the IHSAA board for five years (1985-80). After 33 years, he retired in 1986.