The meeting was almost over, and the approximately 100 coaches in attendance were set to scurry to their next event.
Middleton athletic director Bob Joers — who runs the “all coaches” meetings three times every year — had covered all the nuts and bolts on Oct. 30. Then, when all the business involving sports had ended, Joers delivered a bombshell.
Joers informed his coaches that he has pancreatic cancer. Joers will begin an aggressive form of chemotherapy on Nov. 20.
“I’ve been at a loss for words this past week,” said Lauren Cabalka, Middleton’s girls swimming and diving coach. “It’s just heartbreaking how unfair life can be.”
Tim Simon, an MHS football and basketball assistant coach and one of Joers’ closest friends, agreed with Cabalka.
“It was just a blow,” Simon said “He’s such a tremendous athletic director, but an even better person. I’m praying for him, everyone is praying for him.”