Mike Megyesi doesn't mind wearing two hats, even though it keeps him busy.
The former Merrillville High School and Indiana State kicker is an assistant principal and athletic director for Washington Township middle and high schools. He has been for three years.
It is a culture shock after time spent at bigger schools like Merrillville, Munster and Griffith, where he has also taught and coached.
"It was a change, but I love every minute of it," Megyesi said. "It was somewhat of learning curve, but we are so community-oriented because we are a smaller school.
"It has given me a chance to really get to know the students, the parents and the community. Everybody knows everybody."
Megyesi was previously known as an all-state kicker at Merrillville. He kicked a state-record five field goals against Portage in 1998 and also holds the Merrillville school record for kicking a 52-yard field goal against Valparaiso in 1997.
He credits having been coached by, and working under good coaches. His dad, Tom, is the women's basketball coach at Purdue Calumet and the elder Megyesi also led the Lake Central girls hoops team to the 1994 state title and to second place in Class 4A in 1998.
"My mom and dad taught me to think first before you go in," Megyesi said. "They taught me to listen. My wife (Lindsey) has taught me to be patient."
Megyesi played football for Jeff Yelton, was coached by current Munster boys basketball coach Mike Hackett (when he was an assistant at Merrillville), and has served on the staff of Leroy Marsh's football team at Munster. Megyesi also was an assistant to Yelton and Zac Wells at Merrillville (football) as well as for Jim East (basketball).
"I learned from some of the best and that has helped me not only as a coach, but as an educator," Megyesi said. "Those men, they taught you about life, not just about football or basketball."
He said he uses that education in his dealings as an administrator.
"Any decision I make, I think out as to how this will affect others," Megyesi said. "As an assistant principal, I have to look at making what is the best decision for the school and community."
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