Becky Carlson s life goes full circle
Becky Carlson had not heard of Hillsboro before she moved here 27 years ago. Carlson, a graduate of Marmaton Valley High School in Moran, left the family farm in Elsmore to attend Allen County Community College in Iola. After her stint at ACCC, she was offered athletic scholarships at Tabor, and she headed northwest.
"I had never heard of Hillsboro when I was offered a scholarship at Tabor," Carlson said. "I came out, looked at Tabor, liked it, and I've been here ever since."
Now Carlson's life has come full circle and she heads back to Iola the end of July to begin and probably end her teaching and coaching career. According to Carlson, this is a good time in her life to return to her roots.
"This is a good opportunity for me," she said. "I've been looking to go back but I wasn't going back to just any job. I needed the ideal job."
The ideal job for her is teaching elementary physical education and being assistant high school volleyball and basketball coach. Her ideal job also is close to the community where she grew up and in the community where some of her family live.
After the death of Carlson's dad two years ago, her mother moved to Iola where Carlson's sister Sarah and her three daughters, Jasmine, Trilby, and Olivia, live.
"Moving to Iola is a good career and personal move for me," said Carlson. "It is where I want to be at this stage in my life — with my family and in a good school system."
Carlson leaves behind a strong tradition both as a physical education teacher and coach. In 1983 she began her career with USD 410 as a paraprofessional and coach. At the high school, she was head volleyball coach, assistant girls' basketball coach. She also was head junior high girls' basketball coach.
When Carlson began her coaching career in USD 410, the middle school practiced in the morning at Tabor gym and played games in the high school gym (which is now the middle school gym). With only one gym, the boys' and girls' teams took turns holding early and late practices.
In 1984 Carlson was head volleyball coach and head basketball coach at HHS. Carlson's tenure as HHS volleyball coach ended in 1998. The first and only state championship came for the volleyball team in 1987. Most of the girls on the volleyball team also played on the basketball team which took third in the state in 1988.
That class was the beginning of Carlson's dynasty at HHS. Many of Carlson's former players and students have chosen coaching and/or teaching as a career.
Susan Decker, head women's basketball coach at Baker University in Baldwin, was a member of the 87-88 team.
"I know a big reason I went into coaching is because Becky made basketball so enjoyable," Decker said. "She had and has continued to have a great impact on me as a person and as a coach."
One of Decker's first memories of Carlson is in JAM basketball.
"I always wanted to play her one-on-one after JAM was over, and she was willing to stay around," said Decker. "Most people wanted to get out of the gym but Becky stayed. As long as I have known her she has been that way — willing to help others become better."
A key player on Carlson's 1990 33-1 second place state volleyball team was Amy Klassen Ratzlaff, head women's volleyball coach at Tabor College.
"Becky taught me the value of hard work," said Ratzlaff. "She had high expectations of us that rubbed off onto what we expected of ourselves."
Ratzlaff also has seen that same attitude instilled in her children who have had Carlson as a teacher.
"That work ethic also has made an impact on the Tabor volleyball program," Ratzlaff said. "Hillsboro High School champions have been valuable contributors to what we have achieved at Tabor. Becky has left a legacy of champions in Hillsboro."
Riann Hill Woods, teacher and coach at Oxford Middle School in the Blue Valley District in Overland Park, was a member of the 1995 and 1996 back-to-back state basketball championship teams and a member of the 1995 second place state volleyball team. She remembers Becky's positive influence and encouragement.
"Becky had a way of getting the most out of her players," Woods said. "We all might not have been all-state players, but Becky helped us become all-state teams."
Woods incorporates some of Carlson's style and techniques in her teaching and coaching.
"I remember how Becky made us feel that we could be successful," said Hill. "I want students and athletes I work with to have that same feeling."
According to Carlson, the key to her athletic success includes dedicated athletes and good facilities. The key to her classroom success includes good students, colleagues, administrators, parents, and facilities. Carlson was the first full-time elementary physical education teacher for USD 410.
"I've been given opportunities to go to workshops and conventions to help me become a better teacher," she said. "This district has encouraged me to bring in new ideas and new techniques."
Leaving Hillsboro is bittersweet for Carlson. It is the best and worst scenario for her.
"Now I understand the meaning of bittersweet," she said. "My heart aches because I'm leaving Hillsboro, but I'm excited about going home to my family."
Carlson's excitement extends to her new job and the opportunities she'll have. She sees this venture as a refreshing and renewing chapter in her life.
"I'm anxious and excited. I have butterflies," said Carlson. "This job is a great opportunity for me and I'm going home."
Carlson leaves Hillsboro with a 333-149 basketball record. Her teams made 10 trips to state basketball with two state titles. Her volleyball teams had three trips to state volleyball with one state title. Not bad for a girl from Elsmore who had never heard of Hillsboro. Not bad for a tradition-rich girls' athletic program which owes some of its success to teacher, coach, mentor, and friend — Becky Carlson.
Friends of Carlson will host a reception in her honor from 4 to 6 p.m. in Hillsboro Middle School commons. The public is invited.
