Armstrong accepts new roles at BEA

DUAL ROLES — Blue Earth Area head boys golf coach Travis Armstrong (right) watches former Buc standout Manning Lane’s swing during a retro high school golf meet. Armstrong recently accepted the dual role as Blue Earth Area High School’s new activities director and dean of students for the upcoming school year . (Greg Abel/Sentinel Archives)

BLUE EARTH — Travis Armstrong took a leap of faith and is now the new Activities Director/Dean of Students at Blue Earth Area High School this year.

Science students know Armstrong from his teaching days at the high school, which started in 1999.

Armstrong knew of the opening at the school last year, went through the hiring process and was told he had the job in May.

His first day on the job was July 1, the day after long-time Activites Director/Dean of Students Rob Norman spent his final day on the job.

Armstrong is only the fourth person to hold the position.

The first was Chuck Beyer, who spent 27 years at the helm, the second was Dick Maher, who was in the position for 22 years, and Norman, who held the title for 27 years.

Norman changed careers. He is now working with Midwest Sport & Turf Systems, which is based out of northern Illinois. Norman’s territory is Minnesota, Iowa and eastern South Dakota.

“I knew the opening was available and I thought I wanted to try something different at the school,” Armstrong said. “I’m excited for the oppportunity to get to know each student by walking in the hallways and say ‘hi’ to everyone, not just the biology and science students I taught. I have a lot to learn, but Rob has been available when I had a couple of questions and said to give him a ring if I have any other questions. He’s been a big help.”

Armstrong took the job knowing he would put in long hours at the high school, but his daughters, Te’a, a junior at the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire where she is a member of the women’s tennis team, and Addison, who is a senior at Blue Earth Area High School going through the college recruiting process. She plays No. 1 singles on the girls tennis team this fall, is a member of the gymnastics team in the winter and is a pole vaulter on the girls track team in the spring.

“I took this job because the girls are older now and not small children. If the girls were small, I don’t think it would have worked out,” Armstrong said.”

Not only is he looking out for each athletic team, but he’s looking at other extracurricular activies at the school. He remains an assistant football coach, but resigned as the boys golf coach.

Armstrong’s wife, Tami, also is employed by the school district as a social worker.

Armstrong graduated from Blue Earth School District in 1990, attended Gustavus Adolpus College for a couple of years and transferred to Mankato State University, which is now Minnesota State – Mankato.

He played football at Gustavus and was interested in a job in the medical field, but changed his mind and went into teaching.

He returned to Gustavus to work on his master’s degree.

Before he could finish his master’s degree, Blue Earth had an opening to teach biology and other sciences in 1999. He got the job and moved back to his hometown where he began his teaching career.

“I wouldn’t change my career path at all,” Armstrong said. “I’m enjoying the new job, but I have to make sure I attend the other events. I have to miss some of Addison’s tennis matches. She has a lot of home gymnastic matches this winter; so I’ll get to attend those.

“I want to make a difference with the students and their parents throughout the school year. It’s important to let them know I care about them.”

One of his biggest duties is lining up officials for home events and workers for other events to make sure each game goes off as smoothly as possible.

As the Dean of Students, Armstrong works with students and teachers on behavioral issues. Armstrong pushes BEA’s student-athletes and other students having respect for themselves, their opponents, other students, teachers and parents.

“I have added responsibilties, but I have a lot of people at the school who are willing to step up and help,” Armstrong said. “I look forward to continuing the Blue Earth Area tradition of strong activities.”