Hasseman lends his years of experience to South coaching staff

Bob Hasseman turns 63 next month, meaning he’s probably above being overcome with emotion no matter the individual accolade.

Or so one would think.

A longtime assistant football coach at Franklin Community High School, Hasseman can’t hide his excitement over being selected to be among the coaches at the North-South All-Star Classic on July 17.

The Grizzly Cubs’ defensive coordinator and linebackers coach will be in charge of the outside linebackers for the South All-Stars.

“It’s a great honor. A football thing. I was voted by our region coaches. As the oldest dog in the game, I think some of the old-timers voted me in,” said Hasseman, who is also Franklin’s head wrestling coach.

“You can never be too old to learn.”

Head coach of the South All-Stars is Kyle Ralph, who in two seasons at New Palestine has guided the Dragons to a 28-1 record and the Class 4A state championship in 2014.

One of Franklin’s Mid-State Conference rivals also is represented on the South coaching staff, with Decatur Central head coach Justin Dixson in charge of the inside linebackers.

The South All-Star roster includes three Johnson County players — Indian Creek offensive lineman Braxton Zachery, Center Grove center/guard Austin Smogor and his Trojans teammate, linebacker Keith Sears.

There was a chance Hasseman could be joined on the South team by Grizzly Cubs’ running back Jake Stevenson. However, an injury to Stevenson’s left ACL toward the latter stages of his senior wrestling season made it impossible for him to participate.

“If Jake hadn’t gotten hurt he would’ve been on the team,” Hasseman said.

Hasseman’s accomplishments in 29 seasons as Franklin’s wrestling coach are many, the most recent the Cubs’ runner-up finish in the team standings at the 2014 state finals.

Now it’s football praising his years of dedication.

Hasseman along with the other coaches, players and trainers for the North and South squads report to the University of Indianapolis on July 12.

Rest assure, he plans to wring every but of enjoyment out of the six-day experience.

“I think working with the athletes is a big deal. Just the camaraderie between the players and coaches. It’s going to be great,” Hasseman said.

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ALL-STAR STAFFS

Coaching staffs for the North-South All-Star Classic football game July 17 at North Central High School:

South

*Kyle Ralph, New Palestine

Jimmy Graves, Pike

Justin Dixson, Decatur Central

Brian Crabtree, North Vermillion

Todd Wilkerson, Heritage Hills

Anthony Levy, Trinity Lutheran

Bob Hasseman, Franklin

Stan Jochim, Heritage Hills

Aaron Humphrey, Charlestown

North

*Chris Meeks, Rensselaer Central

Phil Mason, Andrean

Derek Thompson, Lowell

Tom Wogoman, Northridge

Bill Gumm, New Prairie

Doug Dinan, FW Carroll

Bill Skelton, Homestead

Eric Nowlin, Rensselaer Central

Mike Wilhelm, Yorktown

Steve Brown, Yorktown

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