Shane Osting
Shane Osting has been impressed with the commitment level he’s seen from his coaches. Osting was recently appointed as New Castle’s new athletic director, and he’s noticed the Trojan coaches have hit the ground running with summer programs.
“The coaches are very committed to their sport,” Osting said. “They’re really out there trying to do the best that they possibly can. They’re trying to get as many athletes involved and work them in the summer. So, so far right now, the commitment of the coaches is really impressing me.”
One of Osting’s first challenges will be to round out that coaching staff. Former Trojan volleyball coach Mike Dodrill was recently appointed to the same position at Burris, and New Castle is also in search of a boys track coach. Osting said the volleyball position will take priority as the season is looming for fall sports.
Osting came to New Castle after serving three years as assistant principal and athletic director at Blue River. His prior experience includes stints as the athletic director and girls basketball coach at Randolph Southern. At New Castle, he is replacing Brandon Ecker, who recently became the athletic director at Mount Vernon.
Osting said his long-term goals with the Trojans include taking a look at facilities. With the baseball, softball and soccer teams playing some or all of their games off campus, Osting said he hopes to explore ways to move those teams closer to the high school or improve their existing facilities. He said he also plans to emphasize communication with coaches, student-athletes and community members.
“The more stuff we can get closer to the school and have the facilities here at the school, I think it’s going to make things better for our student-athletes, our coaches. As far as a sports administrator, as far as me getting around and seeing everything, it’s going to help that so I don’t have to travel so far between one sport and the other sport,” Osting said. “So that’s a long-term goal, as far as improving the facilities and trying to get them as close as we can to the school.”
Osting said his new job allows him to focus more time on athletics after also working as an assistant principal at Blue River, though he is now in charge of a much larger athletic department.
“So far it’s been great getting to know the community members, getting to know the coaches,” Osting said. “(I) haven’t really had much of a chance at this point to get to know the students, but it’s been a great transition so far.”
Contact prep sports reporter Sam Wilson at (765) 213-5807. Follow him on Twitter @SamWilsonTSP.