Former Fairbury teacher, coach to be honored with first Pillar of FPS award
FAIRBURY, NE — The Fairbury Jeffs are preparing to honor a longtime teacher and coach with an award that’s the first of its kind.
Don Mahlman will receive the inaugural Pillar of Fairbury Public Schools Award Friday during the Jeffs' basketball games against Crete. Jed Martin, now a teacher in Fairbury, was once coached and taught by Mahlman. He says the idea of the award came around while trying to figure out a way to honor the former educator.
"I think he represents everything good about Fairbury," Martin said. "Everything we would want, that everything I'd want for my kids, what I wanted as a student growing up. I think he's just someone who represents that to a T."
Mahlman was an assistant basketball, track and football coach while with the district in addition to teaching. He also helped launch recreational softball and swim programs in the community. Superintendent Stephen Grizzle says Mahlman was one of the first people he met when he took the job eight years ago.
"I can only imagine what he was like as a teacher and a coach back then," Grizzle said. "As someone who puts that kind of time and energy into kids when he's not on the job, I can only imagine what he was like on the job."
Mahlman worked for the district for over 30 years. On the coaching side, the high point came in the 70s when Fairbury won three state championships while he was on staff. The school will also honor one of those championship teams — the 1972-73 squad — Friday.
But his legacy goes far beyond any court or field.
"He's an example of giving back," Grizzle said. "I think that's something that today's society doesn't do enough of is give back to their community."
The former coach is still well-known around Fairbury. Activities Director David Davis says he lives up to the name of the award.
"When it comes to Coach Mahlman, the word pillar is really spot on," he said. "He's built so many little things. He's that foundation that so many things get built off of."
They hope the award ceremony will leave a lasting impression on current student-athletes and staff.
"It's giving back to that history a little bit and acknowledging that history of what's gone on here in Fairbury before so that our kids can learn about him and see that and be proud of where they're from," Davis said.
Fairbury Public Schools intends for the Pillar of Fairbury Public Schools Award to be given out annually going forward.
The award will be presented just before tip-off of the boys basketball game between Fairbury and Crete Friday night. For those unable to make it, the presentation will be broadcast live on Ol' Red 99.5.