sedaliademocrat
Darren Pannier always had a vision for growth within the State Fair Community College athletics department.
When Pannier took over as athletic director 26 years ago, the colleges athletic offerings looked vastly different than they do today.
The initial foundation eventually gave way to a massive expansion under his leadership, growing the department to as many as 15 sports programs and culminating in the construction of a new on-campus outdoor athletics complex before his recent retirement.
They said that I did a lot, but I say, Well, I maybe did a lot, but I couldnt do it without certain people in the community, Pannier said.
The community has been a blessing for State Fair as well as for me as an employee at State Fair for the new complex and adding sports.
They got behind us and they supported us.
Its not a one-person gig.
Its a village.
Its a community, and the community has always been an asset for me at State Fair.
Panniers retirement officially took effect July 1.
Michele Rupard, who previously served as State Fairs head softball coach, now holds the reins to the athletic department.
Pannier spent 28 years at State Fair, including 26 as athletic director.
He also served as the head coach of the womens basketball team from 2005-2010 and was the first head coach of the since-discontinued womens volleyball team.
During his tenure as athletic director, Pannier heavily focused on adding athletic programs to give more students a pathway to education.
I thought if we could start sports, we could build teams and give them an opportunity to be a student first and an athlete second, Pannier said.
Students can get their degree or certificate in welding, machine toolist, HVAC, some Allied Health stuff and still participate and play on the NJCAA level.
Then, two years later, theyre out in the real world, or if they want to move on, they move on.
Its just about giving students a different opportunity to come to college.
Pannier said he began pushing to add sports in the mid-2000s, when State Fair only had mens and womens basketball.
By the 2016-17 school year, SFCC restarted its baseball and mens soccer programs while adding softball and womens soccer.
Mens and womens cross country, mens and womens track and field, mens and womens golf, clay target shooting and esports were all added by the 2021-22 school year.
The golf programs have since been temporarily suspended.
Pannier said the addition of sports grew the number of student-athletes at State Fair from about 30 to almost 400.
Pannier added that one of his favorite memories was watching the first baseball and softball games take place.
Just seeing that come to fruition, seeing that actually come together, that was pretty impressive, Pannier said.
Just watching those first pitches, those first hits, as a matter of fact, softball came from behind.
A girl from Cole Camp hit a homer in 2016 to win our first home game.
That was awesome.
And baseball won their first home game at Liberty Park.
It was awesome.
As a result of the initial additions, Pannier received the George E.
Killian Award of Excellence from the NJCAA National Office Staff in 2017.
The award recognizes individuals dedicated to the ideals of volunteerism, achievement, service, leadership and excellence.
After adding sports, the next goal was to find them a permanent home.
The baseball and softball programs played their first games at their new on-campus facilities this past spring, while construction continues on the soccer field and track.
Pannier said the most rewarding part of the process was seeing how the complex is already transforming the campus culture.
You see a lot of different students, a lot of different employees at the games that you wouldnt see, Pannier said.
I think its going to be more active.
Maybe the intramural program will increase.
Maybe keep more activities on campus and more students in the residence hall, not just athletes, but general students can be participating in different activities during week and weekends.
They can also watch baseball, softball, soccer and track and field.
The atmosphere should be a little different.
Beyond the growth of the department under his leadership, Pannier said the true measuring stick for success happens on graduation day.
When they come in and they walk across stage at graduation, and you know they were student-athletes, thats the national tournament for me, Pannier said.
That is the plaque.
Thats the trophy for me.
Then, in a year or two, theyre out in the community and they might be working on my air conditioner, you know, they might be welding something for me, and they say, Hey, Coach P.
Thats the winning product right there.
Even though he is stepping away as athletic director, Pannier will still be involved with the Region 16 Board of Regents and will still serve as the chair of the NJCAA Division I Womens Basketball Committee.
Pannier said without the support of his family, his achievements might not have happened.
Change is good, Pannier said.
Ive been blessed to be at State Fair for 28 years and 26 of those as athletic director.
Sports editor Jack Denebeim can be reached at 660-530-0142.