Matthew Prusiecki draws on his experience in the classroom and on the football field in his office as a school superintendent.
The 1987 Andrean High School and 1991 Indiana University grad said he has called on his background and education to provide the Indian Creek Community Unit District No. 425 and its students with the best resources to be successful. His district is housed in Trafalgar, Ind., and includes the communities of Nineveh, Hensley and Jackson south of Indianapolis.
"It is public relations, getting to know the community, working with community leaders and finding ways to keep our schools doing well," Prusiecki said. "Everyone knows you have to be a little creative to make sure everything is taken care of when you have limited money coming in. It is a challenge, but what isn't? It helps when you have good people around you and a good community to support you."
Prusiecki coached at Warren Central and Harrison high schools as well as at Franklin College (now Franklin University) and said that also helped him understand the total picture.
"I think athletics are great, and a great part of your curriculum," Prusiecki said. "Sports taught me discipline and I think it enhances the educational experience."
Prusiecki was an all-state kicker in 1986 for Ivan Zimmer's 59ers. He later walked on at Indiana University as a punter/kicker and was part of three Hoosiers teams that played in bowl games under Bill Mallory. He also played baseball and ran track at Andrean.
"I am the superintendent and I work for the school board," Prusiecki said. "They put me in charge to see that our schools and students have the best."
Prusiecki can draw upon his athletic, teaching and coaching experiences as well as his education. He went to St. Bridget's School in Hobart before attending Andrean.
"The teachers I had at St. Bridget's and Andrean, they were a big influence why I got into education," Prusiecki said. "At Andrean, I had a lot of fun playing sports and I got a real good education. I loved going to practice every day.
"At Indiana, it was great to be a part of those bowl teams. We beat South Carolina in the Liberty Bowl, lost to Auburn in 1990 in the Peach Bowl and then beat Baylor in 1991 in the Copper Bowl."
Please Wait…