Whether on the basketball court, football field or classroom Douglas Dillion was a teacher’a distinction earned after three decades as a sports referee and Brandon School District educator.
Now, the Brandon Fletcher Intermediate fifth grade mathematics, social studies and science teacher, the former ‘Announcement Man of the Hour,? says it’s time to sign off.
‘It’s been fun and I’ve enjoyed ever minute,? said Dillion, 57, who started teaching in the Brandon School District in 1978 at Belle Ann Elementary will retire at the end of the 2007 school year.
‘After all the years of teaching I must say, ‘kids are still just kids.? The greatest difference I see are kids today have a lot more demands on them, the greatest influence now is the technology. It used to be the encyclopedia was where information was found. Today, students have it all and even more at their finger tips’they can find just about anything in just seconds.?
Dillion, a Flint native and Davison resident earned three degrees from Michigan State University between 1967 and 1976 including a Bachelors of Arts in Industrial Administration, a Masters in Business Administration and a teaching certificate. He also attended the University of Michigan where he earned a masters degree in education in 1981.
Dillion served as a substitute teacher in the Flint area before landing a full-time teaching position at Belle Ann Elementary School, where he taught fourth and fifth grades.
While education was his profession, Dillion began refereeing intramural sports while he was a student at Michigan State in 1976.
‘I refereed both football and basketball at college then a friend suggested I try high school sports’so I did,? said Dillion, past president of the Genesee County Coaches and Officials.
‘That was more than 30 years ago, and I still find the kids that play are great’it’s often the coaches that loose it. The key to a good ‘ref? is communications with the players and fairness’not everyone is going to like what you do’try to defuse a problem in a game before it gets worse.?
While Dillion strives for impartiality on the playing fields, the veteran official admits he’s missed some calls during a game.
‘Well, when I make a bad call I talk to the coach and let them know’if I said I get it right every time I’d be a liar.?
Dillion emphases the importance of education and how sports can help a student grow in the classroom.
‘Often students who play sports learn how to deal with problem solving better and to be a leader in the classroom. They also can better balance the workload between homework and sports practice.?
While Dillion will conclude his career in the classroom opting for more relaxing times between a home in Caseville and Florida with his wife Patrica and daughter Erie’he’s not yet ready to concede the striped shirt and whistle planning to stay active as a high school referee.
‘You have only failed when you have failed to try,? said Dillion, referring to a poster in his classroom. ‘Something to live by.?