Local basketball coach resigns for his family

Wife’s health is Studebaker’s main concern as he steps down at Northwestern.

Tim Studebaker

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By Kermit Rowe, Staff Writer Updated 8:19 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Stepping down as Northwestern High School head boys basketball coach was not in Tim Studebaker’s plans.

But neither was the ordeal Studebaker and his family has faced in the last month. So when he submitted his letter of resignation on Tuesday, Nov. 3, the Northwestern graduate was choosing a greater love over a lesser.

Studebaker’s wife, Gwin, a fifth-grade teacher in the Northwestern school system, was diagnosed with cancer four weeks ago and recently had surgery. The results weren’t what they had hoped for.

“She’s just going to need a lot of care,” said Studebaker. “We were hoping the surgery will take care of things, but it is going to be a little harder than we thought. I looked at everything, my work, family and basketball. As much as I love the basketball program, this was in the best interest of the program and for myself.

“My family is the most important thing in my life, and I have to take care of that first. Basketball is going to have to take a back seat for right now.”

The Warriors were 4-17 last season under Studebaker, who had spent five years as an assistant coach under Jim Allread prior to taking the reins in July of last year.

“It had nothing to do with wins and losses,” he said. “We ran the summer program and had open gym in the fall. I just didn’t have the time to do it right.

“Literally this last month I haven’t had time to prepare for the season. When most coaches are home preparing, I’ve been here at the hospital. It takes a lot of time to coach basketball.”

Studebaker said the fact that Allread had agreed to help with the transition helped make his decision easier. So when practice officially begins Friday, Nov. 6, it’ll be without Studebaker.

“He did a very good job,” said Northwestern athletic director Jeff Hobby. “Although wins and losses didn’t show it, he did a good job.

“We were looking for good things to happen this year and things just didn’t work out.”

So it’s on to Plan B.

“We’ve got some people who will be helping us out,” said Hobby. “The position was posted today and will be open internally for 10 days. Then we can look outside the system.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0364 or krowe@coxohio.com.

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Mrs. Studebaker taught my son in 5th grade and she is one of the kindest and most caring people I've ever met.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your husband and children.

Davis Family
7:26 PM, 11/4/2009

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Our prayers will be with the Studebakers in the coming weeks. I don't know Mr. Studebaker, but Mrs. Studebaker had both of our kids in 5th grade and she was so nice and such a good teacher to them. We pray she will conquer this and return to good health.

NW Parent
12:17 PM, 11/4/2009

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To all who don't know Mr.& Mrs. Studebaker , they are two of the finest people I have ever met . There is nothing they would do for anyone of us who was in need . Now, they need are prayers to get them through this . Please keep them in your thoughts in these weeks to come . Thank You .

Bret Nicewaner
9:25 AM, 11/4/2009

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