FORT LORAMIE — The Fort Loramie Education Foundation (FLEF) is proud to announce that Jane Poeppelman will be inducted into the Fort Loramie Schools Wall of Honor for 2016.
One of the most successful athletic programs at Fort Loramie High School in the past 40 plus years has been the girls’ basketball team. In fact, one of the most successful basketball programs in the entire state of Ohio has been the Fort Loramie High School girls’ program. Although numerous people have contributed to that success, Jane Poeppelman, the architect and first coach of that program, deserves much of the credit.
After graduating from Fort Loramie High School in 1967, Poeppelman attended Bowling Green State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education and, later, a Master of Education degree. While an undergrad at BG, she lettered in both basketball and softball. Having graduated from BGSU, Poeppelman returned to Fort Loramie Schools in the fall of 1971 to teach physical education and health.
She took initiative in getting the proper sports equipment and items needed for the various activities she planned for the many grade levels. Her goal was to make Fort Loramie Schools the best possible place for education and sports. With limited resources, staffing, and equipment, this was not an easy task. However, with hard work and determination, she developed her programs to the maximum.
In 1971, girls’ interscholastic athletics under the Ohio High School Athletic Association were in their infancy, and Poeppelman was eager to get a serious start. Who could have imagined that in just eight years after her initial season, Jane’s high school girls’ team would be playing in the state basketball tournament in Columbus?
She coached girls’ basketball for 22 years. Her teams had a record of 339 wins and 115 losses, for a win percentage of 74.7 percent. During her years, her teams garnered 11 league championships, seven district championships, two regional championships, and two appearances in the Ohio state basketball semi-finals.
In 1998 Jane was inducted into the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the first woman to be inducted.
Throughout her tenure at Fort Loramie Schools, Poeppelman also coached boys’ and girls’ golf, volleyball, and track. In 1997, the girls’ golf team qualified for the state tournament. Jane’s boys’ golf teams won six league titles and had several teams and individuals qualify for district tournaments.
While a teacher at Fort Loramie School, Poeppelman coordinated the “Jump Rope for Heart” for the American Heart Association for a number of years. While coaching golf, Jane was a member of the Ohio High School Golf Coaches Association. She is a lifetime member of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association. She also belonged to the District Nine Basketball Coaches Association. Jane was named to the Ohio Girls Basketball Magazine Hall of Fame. She was a member of the Fort Loramie Education Association during her time at Fort Loramie Schools.
Jane taught at Fort Loramie Schools for 35 years. Since retirement, Poeppelman remains active in her community by chairing local blood drives and being an active member of the Fort Loramie Community Service Club. She is also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher Honor Society, and was a member of the G.Y.M. Committee, having served as secretary. Jane is a member of Saint Michael Catholic Church, where she assists with funeral masses. She has volunteered with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, was a local member of the Loramie Cancer Crusaders, and has walked in the survivor’s lap at the Shelby County Relay for Life and the BGSU Relay for Life.
Jane’s contributions to Fort Loramie Schools and the community of Fort Loramie have been immeasurable. Throughout all her many involvements, Jane always gave 100 percent.
Carla Siegel, former player for Jane, and the current coach of the Fort Loramie High School girls’ team, said, “Jane taught many students and players skills that have lasted a lifetime. For me, it was perseverance and working towards a common goal. She challenged us to always put forth our best effort. Playing basketball for Fort Loramie has always been a proud moment for many young women. That strong tradition was started by Jane.”
The ceremony to induct Poeppelman will be held in the fall of 2017. The Fort Loramie Schools Wall of Honor Committee has a policy to hold the induction ceremony for multiple inductees only. Therefore, Poeppelman will be honored in 2017 during the induction ceremony of 2016 and 2017 inductees.
The purpose of the Wall of Honor is to recognize and honor those persons living or deceased, who, through their performance, achievements and contributions, reflect credit on the Fort Loramie Local Schools so that present-day students may find identity with the past and establish goals for the future. The Wall of Honor will reinforce and enhance a positive image inside and outside of the Fort Loramie school district, as it also strives to foster an increased sense of pride among students, faculty, administration, alumni and residents.
FLEF has worked in collaboration with Studio Eleven Promotional Products/Vivid MFG Group on the Wall of Honor display. The Wall of Honor display at the Junior/Senior High School is an everlasting visual reminder of the dedication the inductees have provided to the Fort Loramie school district, community, and world.
