Wauwatosa East's John Dobbe doesn't like the limelight, which makes him a perfect subject for this column.
Dobbe, who is beginning his 10th season on the board with the Junior Raiders program, has worked his way up the ladder, going from 'What can I do to help?' to coach, to treasurer to president. No, make that program coordinator.
"I don't like to be called 'president.' I told them I will be the 'program coordinator,' " said Dobbe, who started coaching in 1995.
Dobbe called former varsity coach Tom Swittel in 2001, and Swittel suggested he get more involved and get on the board.
"Then they asked me to take over as treasurer the next year. … Eventually, I became program coordinator, and I was finally thinking of making a move this year. But with the change to Jake Wolter (as East's head coach), I figured it wouldn't be a good time."
"He has been around here a long time," Wolter said. "He does all the little things - setting up for the games, working the parents, the coaches; he handles the registration and handles the money."
Wolter forgot to add Dobbe makes sure every roster is filled, checks out the various residencies, meets with coaches, and hands out and returns equipment.
"He's a man with a lot of character, a great guy," Wolter said. "He always wants the right thing, whether it's the popular choice or not."
Dobbe is consumed all day Saturday when the Junior Raiders play. Seeing the results of his hard work show up at the high school level is what pleases Dobbe most.
"That's the completion of the program," he said. "Seeing the kids play on Friday nights."
Away from the Limelight features the unsung heroes of the local high school athletic scene. Have an idea? E-mail tskibosh@cninow.com.
THE DOBBE FILE
WIFE: El
SONS: Justin, 18; Kyle, 17; Nathan, 17 (step-son); Calvin, 7; Tyson, 4
EDUCATION: UW-Whitewater 1988, Hartford Union High School
OCCUPATION: service distributor, General Mills
HOBBIES: being involved youth athletics
I POD: "I have four with nothing on them."
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