Tag Archives: Teacher Athletes

Former Minnesota science teacher Jeff Isaacson is also an Olympic athlete

Posted on by

Olympic athlete Jeff Isaacson taught junior high school science courses in Gilbert, Minnesota. Photo credit: Time Magazine

There are a few examples in our country’s history when an outstanding athlete is also an educator. One of these is Jeff Isaacson, a former science teacher from Minnesota who  competed in the Olympic Games—twice!

Jeff was born on July 14, 1983, in Virginia, Minnesota. Even as a boy, he expressed an interested in the sport of curling. As a young man, he attended Bemidi State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Science, and the University of Wisconsin, Superior, where he earned his Master’s degree in Teaching Administration.

In 2010, Jeff worked as a substitute teacher in Gilbert Junior High School in Gilbert, Minnesota. Eventually, he was offered a permanent position as a science teacher at Eveleth-Gilbert Junior High. He instructed courses in chemistry, Earth science, and life science to students in grades six through eight.

While earning his living as a teacher, Jeff formed a curling team and developed his talents as an athlete. In 2007, he captured a World University Gold Medal title in Italy. In 2009, the team captured the Moncton World Men’s Championship title. In both 2010 and 2014, Jeff and his team competed in the Winter Olympics. In the 2010 Games, which were held in Vancouver, Canada, the men finished in 10th place. In the 2014 Games, which were held in Sochi, Russia, the team finished in 9th place.

As a send-off to the Olympics, a special assembly was held at the school. His kids presented him a jumbo-sized gold medal and chanted encouraging slogans. “The students were so excited about it,” Jeff recalled. “They all had these signs with my picture on it. What a nice thing they did,” he continued.

Currently, Jeff works as the Curling Center Manager at the Chaska Curling Center in Chaska, Minnesota.

 

AAGPBL player Mamie Redman taught math and PE, and coached sports

Posted on by

Magdalen Redman, who played for the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, taught mathematics and physical education and coached a variety of sports after retiring from the League. Photo Credit: All American Girls Professional Baseball League

Many times excellent physical education educators were established athletes in their own right. One of these was Magdalen “Mamie” Redman, a math and PE teacher and coach who also played in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) during World War II.

Mamie was born on July 2, 1980, in Waupin, Wisconsin. When she was young, girls were not allowed to participate in Little League Baseball, so Mamie was confined to playing sandlot ball with her neighborhood friends. By the time she was 17, though, she was able to join an organized softball team in Oconomowoc, about 17 miles away from her home town. It was while she was playing there that her talent was spotted by an AAGPBL scout.

After signing with the AAGPBL, Mamie travelled to Opa-locka, Florida, for spring training in 1948, and then she was assigned to the Kenosha Comets. At 5’5″, 150 lbs., Mamie served as the team’s catcher and third baseman. She played for the Comets from 1948 to 1950, and then transferred to the Grand Rapids Chicks, where she played from 1950 to 1954. While playing there, she helped her team win the Championship Series in 1953. In all, Mamie played seven years in the AAGBL. Once the League was disbanded in 1955, Mamie was recruited to play for a national touring team known as the All American All Stars, a team comprised of women players who toured the country competing against male teams.

After she retired from baseball, Mamie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, with minors in Physical Education and Biology, from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. For the next 37 years, she taught mathematics and physical education and coached a variety of high school sports at Valdez, Mukwonago, and Oconomowoc High Schools.

To commemorate her impressive career as an athlete, Mamie’s story became part of the Women in Baseball exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. She was also inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame, the Wall of Honor at Miller Park in Milwaukee, and the Waupun High School Hall of Fame. In addition, the 1992 film A League of Their Own shared the story of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League to generations of baseball fans.

In her final years, Mamie Redman lived in Oconomowoc. She passed away on Aug. 22, 2020, at the age of 90.

 

Former NFL player Roger LeClerc became a high school math teacher

Posted on by

Once former NFL player Roger LeClerc concluded his career in football, he taught high school mathematics for 30 years. Photo credit The Republican Obituaries

Many times talented athletes go on to become accomplished coaches and teachers. One of these is Roger LeClerc, an NFL football player who also coached football at the college level and then taught high school math for many years.

Roger was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Oct. 1, 1936. As a young man, he graduated from Agawam High School in 1954. He then enrolled in Trinity College, a private liberal arts college located in Hartford, Connecticut, where he played both football and baseball. He earned his Bachelor’s degree there in 1960.

Roger became part of the draft for the National Football League (NFL) in 1959. He was drafted by and played for the Chicago Bears for the next seven seasons, from 1960 to 1966. During this time, he earned 377 points, making him the second highest scorer in team history. In fact, he was one of the members of the team that took the NFL championship in 1963. As a football player, Roger served most often as the team’s place kicker, but at 6’3″ and  235 pounds, he also played center and linebacker. In 1967, Roger transferred to the Denver Broncos, where he played one season in the American Football League. He also played amateur baseball in Massachusetts during the football off-seasons. He was a catcher for the Holyoke Orioles in the Tri-County League for several years.

Once his NFL career was concluded, Roger accepted a position as Head Football Coach at Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts. His tenure there lasted one season. That was in 1982.

Next, Roger returned to his home town of Agawam, Massachusetts, where he taught eighth grade and ninth grade algebra and geometry. He also coached football there. His career as an educator and coach spanned 30 years. After his retirement from teaching, he worked at Southwick Community College.

For his work as an athlete and an educator, Roger was inducted into the Agawam High School Hall of Fame in 2016. In addition, he was one of the first 11 individuals inducted into the Trinity College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

Sadly, Roger passed away on Jan. 22, 2021. He was 84 years of age.

Former MN high school PE teacher, coach Carol Peterka was an Olympic athlete

Posted on by

Former high school physical education teacher and coach Carol Peterka was also a celebrated Olympic athlete. Photo Credit: Trading Card Database

Many talented athletes go on to establish careers in education. One of these is Carol Peterka, a former physical education teacher and coach who once competed in the Olympics.

Carol was born on Dec. 23, 1963, in Little Falls, Minnesota. After her graduation from Apollo High School in St. Cloud, she enrolled at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, on a full basketball scholarship. While there, she competed in track and field and played basketball for the Golden Gophers. A second team All-Big Ten selection in 1984, Carol scored 1,441 points and grabbed 744 rebounds during her collegiate career. She still ranks seventh all-time in scoring and sixth all-time in rebounding in the school’s history.

After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Teaching/Coaching in 1987, Carol joined the US National Handball Team. She competed in three Olympic Games representing the United States. She was a member of the gold medal winning team at the 1990, 1991, and 1993 US Olympic Festivals. In 1990, she was named the US Team Handball Female Athlete of the Year. Later she was named the captain of the national team, a position she held from 1990 to 1992. In addition, Carol garnered gold medals at the 1987 and 1995 Pan American Games.

During the years she played for the US National Team, Carol also worked as a physical education teacher and coach at Poinciana High School in Osceola, Florida. Later she relocated to Cobb County, Georgia, where she coached basketball and taught physical education at Harrison High School in Kennesaw from 1999 to 2005.

In 2006, Carol accepted a position as the Assistant Coach for the women’s basketball team at Hofstra University located in Long Island, New York. She has held this position for the past 17 years.

Impressive, Carol!

Math teacher and Major League Baseball player James Brideweser

Posted on by
James Brideweser

Math teacher James Brideweser also played Major League Baseball. 

Many successful athletes also become successful educators. One of these is James Brideweser, a Major League Baseball player who went on to teach high school mathematics in California.

James was born on February 13, 1927, in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio. After his graduation from Washington High School in Los Angeles, he served his county in the military during World War II. He then earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California.

The 6-foot, 165-pound shortstop and second baseman inaugurated his MLB career on Sept. 29, 1951, with the New York Yankees, for whom he played a total of three years. In 1954 he played for the Baltimore Orioles, and then he was traded to the Chicago White Sox, for whom he played in 1955-1956. The last team he played for was the Detroit Tigers. In all, James’ career spanned the years 1951 to 1957.

Once he completed his career in baseball, James earned his teaching credentials. He secured a job as a mathematics teacher and Title IX counselor at Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach in Southern California. He also served as the coach of their varsity baseball team, which logged two championship seasons under his leadership. In addition, James coached the baseball team for nearby Saddleback College from 1982 to 1985. The team made it all the way to the Mission Conference championships in 1983 and 1984.

Sadly, James passed away on August 25, 1989, in El Toro, Orange County, California. He was 62 years old.