{"id":177391,"date":"2024-03-28T03:38:59","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T08:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=177391"},"modified":"2024-03-29T04:13:08","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T09:13:08","slug":"laudick-resigns-board-hears-eggerss-stadium-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2024\/03\/28\/laudick-resigns-board-hears-eggerss-stadium-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Laudick resigns as boys hoops coach"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SCOTT TRUXELL\/<\/strong>independent editor<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After five seasons, Van Wert boys varsity basketball coach Ben Laudick has resigned his position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Van Wert City Schools Board of Education accepted his resignation during Wednesday night\u2019s monthly meeting. Laudick, who was at the meeting, read a brief statement and thanked the board, coaches, players, his family and others for their support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be a part of the Van Wert basketball program for 25 years as a player and\/or coach,\u201d Laudick told the board. \u201cSome of my best memories have been in the Cougar Den and many other gyms across northwest Ohio. Not many people can say they got to coach or lead their favorite basketball team\u2026it\u2019s truly been a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Superintendent Mark Bagley updates the board on the second phase of work at Eggerss Stadium. Scott Truxell\/Van Wert independent<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Laudick replaced now-Superintendent Mark Bagley as head coach after the 2018-2019 season and went 58-60 in five seasons, including a trip to the Division II regional finals in 2023. The Cougars finished 4-19 this past season. A full story on Laudick\u2019s resignation can be found on the Sports<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board also accepted the resignations of Jalen McCracken as a volunteer baseball coach; custodial\/maintenance worker Tom Lee; middle school music teacher\/assistant band director Scott Turner, and fourth grade teacher Traci McCoy. McCoy was then hired as district media specialist. The board also hired Sydney Collins as a second grade teacher, Karlie Ulm as a third grade teacher, Ryann Morehous as a fourth grade teacher, and Aaron Ries as assistant to the director of technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his report to the board, Bagley gave an update on work at Eggerss Stadium and said Alexander and Bebout has started the second phase of the renovation project, including the removal of asphalt and the outer shell of the men\u2019s restroom on the home side. He said there will be new restrooms installed along with a new concession stand, along with a new press box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe press box will be brand new and much bigger and then the landing area in the front \u2013 that\u2019s going to be handicapped and elderly accessible from the elevator,\u201d Bagley stated. \u201cInstead of being shoved into the corners like they have for 86 years, they\u2019re going to be front and center between the 40-yard lines.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Bagley added that area will accommodate at least 50 people. He also said the completion date is scheduled for August 15, a day before the annual scrimmage against Crestview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treasurer Troy Bowersock told the board he\u2019s still in the process of fine tuning the budget for Phase II of the massive renovation project, but said it appear work will remain in the range of $2.2 to $2.3 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agenda items approved by the board included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n