Sara and Robert Rempel, and their four children, have made the move from Lyons to Hillsboro.

The administrative shuffle that took place at Hillsboro High School after the 2007-08 school year left a vacancy in the activities director position.

Dale Honeck, HHS principal for the past eight years, announced his June retirement and Max Heinrichs, activities director and assistant principal for seven years, was hired to take Honeck’s position.

In April, the school board completed the team with the employment of Robert Rempel.

Although Rempel is a new-comer to the Hillsboro school district—“I have not been directly involved with HHS,” he said—Rempel is well acquainted with the community through athletic events and his schooling.

A former Tabor College student, Rempel remembers his Hillsboro experiences when he watched local teams from the sidelines at various athletic events.

In addition to coaching 12 years of football, seven years of softball, five years of golf and seven years of power lifting, Rempel has taught business, technology and video production classes at Lyons High School.

“I have coached and watched many games against Hillsboro for the past 12 years while at Lyons,” Rempel said. “From my years as a student at Tabor College and coaching in Lyons, I have grown to respect and appreciate the Hillsboro schools and community.”

Heinrichs said the respect is mutual.

“At LHS, Robert was a highly-respected teacher and coach,” Heinrichs said. “His teacher and coaching background alerted us to him. His willingness to learn and accept new challenges, and his organizational skills, were all strengths in his favor as we looked to fill the activities director position.”

Rempel, who is working on the house he and wife Sara have purchased, said he is looking forward to living in Hillsboro. He and Sara have four children, all well under the age of 10. Rempel said Hillsboro will be a positive place for them to grow up.

“(Hillsboro) is one of only a few places I would want to raise my family in,” he said.

When Rempel saw the activities director position was open, he said he felt God was telling to apply.

“I have wanted to be an activities director for quite some time,” Rempel said. “I had even started my master’s degree in sports administration from (Wichita State University) before my wife and I had our first child.”

Rempel said, “When I saw the job open, I remember telling my wife this is exactly what I have been looking for. I really feel that God led us here.”

Despite his training and experiences in high school athletics, Rempel said he has a lot to learn yet about his new position.

“I have not had a chance to sit down in depth with Mr. Hein­richs about the past and how things were run,” he said. “We have discussed a few things, but I hope to do more of that later this month.”

Heinrichs said he looks forward to the conversations with Rempel, and “getting him up to speed for his new duties at USD 410.”

“I feel the main responsibilities (of an activities director) are organizing activities, managing the budget, hiring umpires and referees, keeping equipment and facilities up-to-date, supervising events and, most importantly, communicating with coaches, administration and the community,” Rempel said.

And, Rempel said Heinrichs successfully tackled his former AD responsibilities.

“Looking from the outside in, Mr. Heinrichs has done an excellent job,” Rempel said. “Hills­boro has a reputation for being very competitive and successful in the league and at the state level.”

Rempel, who officially begins his new role later this month, said he is excited about the future.

“I am anxious to meet the people I am going to work with every day, the students and the community members,” he said.

Heinrichs said he looks forward to Rempel joining the administrative team.

“We believe his experience from his previous positions will bring new perspectives to our school system and help us continue our growth toward excellence,” Heinrichs said.

“I can’t say there is a specific area that I am most looking forward to. I am looking forward to all of it.”

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