GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Kaukauna head basketball coach Mike Schalow is calling it a career after leading the Ghosts for 30 years.
Schalow won 482 games, a pair of state titles, and six Fox Valley Association championships in those three decades.
He was also inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018.
Ultimately after claiming the program’s first FVA title since 2016, and reaching the sectional semifinals, the time was right for Schalow step aside.
“Had great support here at Kaukauna for 30 years, and we’ve had a lot of success and a lot great teams and great people. You know, we put in so much time, have such great expectations. I know for me personally, the amount of time I want to put into it to continue to keep things going was going to continue to be a challenge. Along the way I had to really reflect on that,” said Mike Schalow.
“Knowing what you need to give and being able to continue to give everything that you ask of yourself. So, I needed to evaluate, can I do this at the level I want to do it at for another year, and then re-evaluate. I felt this is the time. Certainly the success of this season, I like the position our program’s in, some great talent coming back, I think we have a solid coaching staff. So, there’s things in place that hopefully it can continue.”
Schalow’s impact on the game of basketball in the Fox Valley and the FVA is immense as well. Especially when it comes to the future of the game with those former players that have followed his footsteps into the coaching ranks.
“I’m so proud about, not only some of the teams, but some of the players and the coaching staff that we’ve had. We’ve had players come back that are currently on our coaching staff. I reflect back on in 1995 the coaches of Frank Schade, Ron Parker, and John Miron and Dick Diener, people that when I came in, the respect I had for them. How good you need to get yourself to be able to compete and to last. I’m grateful for that opportunity and now hopefully we’re leaving this in a really good place,” said Schalow.
You can’t completely take the game of basketball away from Schalow. He’ll likely still be at games in Kaukauna from time to time, and will remain a resource for the Ghosts.
As well as his son Jake Schalow, who takes over the boys basketball program at D.C. Everest next season.
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