Senior Libby Newkirk has spent her entire life involved with Rams sports. Her dad was a football coach when she was born and became Athletic Director by the time she was in kindergarten. She has been on the sidelines at Cook Field for her entire life, either as a fan or part of the staff.
For the last five years, Newkirk has been a student manager for the Varsity Rams Football team, assisting at practices, preparing for games, managing water, and handling uniforms and equipment.
“I wanted to become a manager because I wanted to be involved in the program and step out of my comfort zone,” said Newkirk.
This commitment recently earned her a nomination by former Head Coach Neil Dittmer to participate in the annual IPC North/South II Star Classic
as one of five managers for the South Football team.
game at age 4. (Courtesy Photo)
“Football has meant a lot to me over the years, and being nominated means a lot to me,” said Newkirk.
Newkirk found out that she would be one of the managers selected on February 4, joining four managers from the Southern Region. Newkirk is the first manager to be selected since 2014, when sisters Hannah and Riley Balsmeyer served as managers for PHS, to represent Paoli at the game.
This event brings together managers and players from all across the state for a week of activities, awards, and competition. Information on the game’s location has not been provided yet.
“Libby has dedicated a lot of time to the Paoli Football program, and we would not have been able to function without her. She is one of the most deserving candidates we have ever been able nominate for the team,” said Dittmer.
Managing sports is not something she plans to leave behind after high school. Newkirk has been accepted to attend Indiana University in Bloomington and plans to pursue a degree in Sports Management and Marketing.
“I will miss all of the coaches and Ian (Bostock) giving me a hard time, and I’ll miss just being a part of the program,” said Newkirk.
