In more than 50 years of teaching and coaching kids – and as a high-level track athlete himself -- Stan has faced his share of hurdles.
He’s overcome them through faith.
“My faith is always there,” Stan said. “I would say a prayer before each race, that things will work out for the best. ‘Put your trust in the Lord,’ my mom would always say that. He comforts you in the bad times.”
Bad times, like when Stan narrowly missed the Olympic team as a hurdler in 1972, and again in 1976. Or when a team or runner doesn’t perform to expectations.
Faith provides perspective.
“It helps you get through it. You realize, ‘It is what it is,’” he said. “You realize you did your best and unfortunately it wasn’t quite good enough.”
“You don’t get such a big head,” he said. “You have to stay level-headed. As a coach, you ask for guidance, to help me make good decisions with the team, with the kids, don’t take everything so seriously. Give the kids a good experience.”
These are lessons reinforced in his 40 years as a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, with a foundation of faith that dates to his childhood.
Born in Green Bay, Stan spent his early life on a dairy farm in a town of barely 100 people. At Menomonee Falls High School, he was a standout track athlete, finishing second at State in the low hurdles and third in the highs as a senior.
Then at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Stan won 17 conference championships as an individual or part of a relay team.
Faith has always been a part of his life, even at college.
“Nancy and I met at church,” he said. “I went to a church a block from campus, and on Sundays there were no meals at school, so the church would feed you. She was going to church there too. One Sunday she didn’t come to church, but she still came Sunday night for the activities and the food. A bunch of us guys picked on her for that. I was a pretty shy kid, a goofy kid – I had thick black glasses, short hair – and that was my ‘in’ to talk to her.”
Three years later, they were married, while still in college. They celebrated their 53rd anniversary on August 16.
After graduating from UW-La Crosse, Stan received a graduate assistantship to teach and coach at North Dakota State University in Fargo. After earning his master’s degree, Stan accepted a teaching job in South Milwaukee.
With two children (Amy & Tom), they chose Trinity as their home church in the early 1980s because of its Sunday School, family atmosphere, and strong pastors.
At Trinity, Stan continues to give back through service on the Property Ministry team. He also enjoyed volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, through Trinity, building homes.
“You have to do your part,” Stan said. “I’m not good at Sunday School; somebody else can do that. I can do this. You kind of find your niche. Somebody has to keep the church up. It’s your church, and you want it to look nice.”
Stan’s impact extends well beyond 5th and Marshall. He was a physical education teacher in South Milwaukee for 32 years, and he has left his mark as the school’s head cross-country coach and girls’ track and field coach (assistant, then head coach) for 51 years. Along the way, he has guided two state champions and dozens of WIAA state qualifiers.
Stan is used to being near the front. For more than 30 years, he competed through World Masters Athletics, and at one point held world records in the 40-44 age group in the 110- and 400-meter hurdles.
Even though Stan hasn’t competed since 2019, and he retired from teaching in 2003, he has no plans to stop coaching. His faith will always keep him grounded.
