‘Teacher, coach, friend will be missed’

RANDOLPH – Randolph High School’s business teacher is reluctantly leaving a job he loves after impacting students for more than three decades.

Reflecting on his 27 years at Randolph 34 years total as an educator - Jim Hixson said he is most proud of his students and how successful they’ve become after high school.

“That’s what education is all about, helping young people be successful in life,” he said. “It is especially gratifying and humbling when former students thank me for helping them become successful. My contribution was just a small part in their success but I am very appreciative of those thoughts.”

Many of Hixson’s former students have found success in the banking and accounting fields. He takes considerable pride in Randolph students’ selection into the Scholars Academy at the University of Nebraska- Omaha. Only 20 students are accepted each year.

In the six years since the academy was created, three Randolph students have been accepted into the prestigious academy.

“Per capita that has to be among the leaders of any school in Nebraska,” he said.

Hixson has also been a part of many students’ success on the field, court and track.

“He always put the players first and constantly rooted for them and wanted them to succeed,” said fellow coach Mark Lech. “The players always knew where they stood with Mr. Hixson and they knew he was going to be tough on them but also be in the battle with them thick or thin.”

During his decades of coaching, Hixson’s record includes two state basketball champions and about 10 trips to the state basketball tournament while he was on the school’s coaching staff.

In track, Hixson has coached a state champion and state runner-up girls 4x800 relay team; state champion in the 3,200-meter run; and a two-time state runner- up in high jump.

In football, Hixson added state runner-up honors to his coaching resume, multiple times ranked in the state top 10 as well as making the playoffs.

“He worked extremely hard at being prepared each week in football,” Lech said. “He spent hours on the weekend, breaking down film and getting it ready for the coaches and players.”

With more than 24 years together, Lech and Hixson have been through it all.

“We spent endless hours standing in the rain or cold,” Lech said. “We got to witness big wins and blowout losses. We spent a lot of time riding on the buss all over the state.”

Lech chuckles when he thinks back through their shared memories like the time Hixson almost got knocked down on the sidelines; Hixson’s pregame ritual of driving to Osmond and back; and the nicknames Hixson came up with for all of the players.

“He was a vital part in what we did as a football program and a key to the success of the coaching staff,” Lech said. “We will miss him at Randolph High School as a teacher, coach and friend.”

Along with being a business teacher and coach, Hixson has worked as the Randolph Public Schools’ technology coordinator, the seventh grade sponsor, math instructor, and PE/Weights instructor over the years.

Prior to coming to Randolph, he taught and coached at North Loup-Scotia and Winside.

“It sounds cliche but I just like spending time with kids,” Hixson said. “The relationships I formed with students are the very best part. Some of my closest personal friends are former students from years past.”

With so much passion being funneled into his career, it was a difficult decision to retire, he said.

“The lack of flexibility, coaching three sports per year, takes up a massive amount of time,” Hixson said. “I loved it more than I can describe but it is time for me to help my family.”

The flexibility of retirement will provide more time to care for his aging parents. He also recently became a grandpa and wants to be an “emergency babysitter” when needed.

As his final days as an educator loom near, Hixson is grateful for the relationships he’s built with administration, students and staff to fellow coaches and the community in general.

“I have been blessed to work under great head coaches while at Randolph,” he said. “The things I learned from each of them allowed me to become a better coach. I cannot imagine a better place to work and raise a family than Randolph. I am very appreciative of the support the community gives to all of the activities at RHS; not all school systems enjoy the same level of support.”