Steve Hanlon

Prep Beat

I got a phone call a few weeks ago while driving my daughter to softball practice. Since I have the worst cell service in the Northern Hemisphere, I couldn't hear much. Snap. Crackle. And Pop.

"Steve, it's Dirk," my phone said. Then it went silent. It was Whiting principal Dirk Flick. I called back. I left a message. I haven't heard anything since.

An illness has kept the Valparaiso resident at home.

"He needs our prayers," Whiting athletic director and softball coach Paul Laub said.

I met Flick in 1995, when he energetically became the poster child for class sports in Indiana. He believed when most mocked. He led a boycott of Nike products by small schools in Indiana. He took on all comers, and never hid under his desk. He celebrated when a four-class system took place in 1997-98.

He cried when Whiting's softball team won the Class A state title in 2006.

"This is what high school sports is all about," Flick said on that warm day at Ben Davis. "I'm so proud of these girls."

Flick was an assistant coach on Merrillville's 1976 state championship football team. He was not always a small-school principal. He worked in Hammond, Hobart and Crown Point before moving up to Whiting. In the next few weeks, Flick will be named the District One high school principal of the year from the Indiana Association of School Principals. He earned the same award two years ago.

There is a reason Flick has been honored by his peers. He's good at what he does.

Crown Point principal Ryan Pitcock is a dear friend of Flick's. His comments need to be heard,

"Many know Dirk because he has not been afraid to be out front and to make decisions, albeit not always popular, but in the best interests of kids. Beyond athletics, he runs a school with many more challenges than a Crown Point, but achieves at an equal level if not better in areas. He is a giant in education and a great friend to many of us and someone I owe much of my success. Having spent time with Dirk, he is approaching this battle like he has all others -- head on."

When the Big Six left the Lake Athletic Conference, Flick was the one leading the charge to form a more perfect union, which became the Greater South Shore Conference.

"We'd love to get him out to a softball game," Laub said.

When my phone rang recently, and I had known then what I know now, this is what I would've said. This is from my heart.

I've known a lot of great educators since I started this job 15 years ago. Flick is the best. If trouble is happening, he always answers his phone. That is a special quality these days. He's always stood up for the overlooked, something we need more of in today's America.

This weekend, I'm going to church to say a prayer for Dirk. I believe in miracles. I know they still happen. And I believe this phone call will not be interrupted. See you at an Oilers game soon.

This column solely represents the writer's opinion. Reach him at shanlon@nwitimes.com.