The Lowell Athletic Department recently announced the addition of a new assistant athletic director. In addition to Keith Kilmer, Erick Decker was selected for the position and was announced during last week’s school board meeting. Decker previously worked in the Lake Central Athletic Department before taking on this new role. With him being new, there are many questions people are eager to have answered.
When I spoke with Mr. Decker, he seemed extremely eager to take on this position. I asked him, “What does this position mean to you?” He gave a thoughtful response, saying, “This position means a lot to me. As a lifelong Lowell resident and former Lowell athlete, I am honored to be back home and a part of the great traditions associated with Lowell Athletics. It is a tall task, but I truly hope to leave Lowell Athletics in an even better place than I found it.”
Decker has also been involved in a wide range of sports. His coaching experience adds up to over 20 years. He has coached middle school football for 11 years, JV and varsity assistant baseball for five years, and boys and girls basketball for 24 seasons at levels ranging from varsity to elementary. He has also spent time as a youth soccer coach. All of this experience will help make him a strong assistant athletic director.
I also asked him, “What do you hope to get out of this position and program?” Decker said, “I hope to get out of this position many of the same things I have gotten out of 19 years of teaching. A sense that the students I interact with are better equipped mentally, physically, and academically for their future life paths. To me, it is all about relationships and challenging people to step out of their comfort zones and achieve beyond their expectations.” Decker seems very excited to begin this new role.
When asked if there were any interesting facts he would like to share, he said, “I love the Chicago Bears, and I am a fifth-generation graduate of Lowell High School. My great-grandmother was on Lowell High School’s first girls basketball team back in 1916. You can find her picture in the Heritage Hallway. Check out their uniforms.” Decker takes great pride in his roots and will be a valuable addition to the Lowell Athletic Department.
When he gets settled into the office, be sure to stop by, say hello, and help make him feel welcome.
