February 9, 2017 at 1:26 p.m.
Neil Fletcher retiring as Wildcats' Activities Director at end of year
Neil Fletcher retiring as Wildcats' Activities Director at end of year
Fletcher will leave behind a large local legacy, as he has spent 36 years in teaching, coaching and on the administration side, including stints as the AD at both Chisago Lakes and North Branch High Schools.
“It has been a privilege to serve our students, coaches, advisors and families as your Activities Director for these past five years,” Fletcher said in his statement. “I’m proud of all of our programs and all they have accomplished and I wish for them nothing but the best in the future. Our coaches and advisors are second to none!”
Fletcher came to Chisago Lakes from Blaine, where he was the AD for the Bengals. In his five years at Chisago Lakes, numbers grew, as well as the amount of activities offered. Fletcher oversaw numerous state tournament teams in his half-decade. But, those weren’t the only squads he cared for. “During these five years, our focus in Activities has been to value every student in our programs,” he said. “Value is in how we will help every person become excellent adults through what they learn by being in our programs. It doesn’t matter if you are fourth string or all-state, we will help every young person become excellent adults. All of our coaches and advisors have had numerous professional development sessions and are doing all they can to value every student. This has always been our purpose!”
Fletcher, who is married with two kids and recently welcomed his first grandchild, is thankful to many people in the area for making his job an enjoyable experience, but he had some particular words for some of those he was closest with. “Thank you to everyone who has made my time serving as AD so rewarding. Thank you to CLHS Principal Dave Ertl and Superintendent Joe Thimm for your leadership and support. Thank you to Matt Mitchell who serves so many nights as our site manager and for his love of the Wildcats. And thank you to the best assistant in the business, Theresa Cottingham for all of your hard work. We are a good team!”
Fletcher, who calls North Branch his home when he wasn’t in the Chisago Lakes gymnasium, ended his statements with a simple phrase he has said thousands of times over the past five years, and one that will surely be said by him in his retirement: “Go Wildcats!”
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