By Gavin Keefe , Day Sports Writer Published on 5/16/2008
Ledyard wrestling coach Steve Bilheimer is leaving after guiding the Colonels to four state titles in seven seasons.
Steve Bilheimer didn't just have a good run during his seven years as Ledyard High School wrestling coach.
He had a great run, Ledyard athletic director Pete Vincent said.What he's done has been remarkable.
Great, indeed. Remarkable, too.
Bilheimer, who announced to his team Thursday that he's resigned from his wrestling job, led the Colonels to four state championships, five Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division championships (in a row) and four ECC Tournament titles.
Ledyard won its state record 17th state class title this season in Class M.
I'm very happy, said Bilheimer of the program's accomplishments.I feel very fortunate. Part of it was luck because I was coaching at a time when a lot of kids came into the program. ... T.J. Hepburn really helped elevate kids around him.
Hepburn, a two-time All-American and national champion, graduated in 2007.
Bilheimer is stepping down to spend more time with his family, including 4-year old daughter and 1-year-old son born the day after the New England tournament in 2007.
But he isn't stepping away from the sport. He's just moving to the junior high ranks.
I'm still going to help build the program, Bilheimer said.It's tough for me to do but it's the best thing for the program. We have a need for a middle school coach next year. I have two young kids now. It's getting harder and harder to coach (high school) wrestling with the time (involved).
Bilheimer, a Ledyard health teacher, will still be around school, too. He's built some tight relationships with his wrestlers, who often hang out with him during free periods.
He's an excellent coach and an excellent person, Vincent said.He was perfect for the kids that we had. He had a great demeanor. The kids truly respected his knowledge of the sport. They loved wrestling for him. ... He will truly be missed.
With the start of the wrestling season still months away, Vincent will take his time to name a successor.
When the new coach is hired, Bilheimer - The Day's 2007 and 2008 Coach of the Year - will be there to lend advice, if needed.
I'm still going to be around but I'm not going to be the coach, Bilheimer said.I'm still going to contribute somehow.
Best wishes to Steve, and congrats on a great job (and for putting up with CJ--just kidding C)
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Good luck to Coach Bilheimer. He did a wonderful job and will be missed. It is nice to see him taking over the middle school. A little more layed back but still an important part of the wrestling program. Not to many could do that. That move is very respectable!!!
Congrats on a job well done!!!
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Congratulations on such a successful high school coaching career Coach Bilheimer. You certainly did do some remarkable things with that program, and I'll try to keep the Gabordi brothers in check next year at Springfield haha. Take care.
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He's only stepping down because he knows ledyards going to get wrecked next year because of all the seniors their losing ex. Satti, but thats just my opinion. But still good luck to him
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Oh really? hes only stepping down because hes afraid to loose? Thats funny because i remember last year we lost a great group of seniors the great TJ hepburn whos credentials speak for themselves. Mike baker state champ nick morales state finalist and davey bellaflores (got dqd but would of been at least top 3 seeing how he bea taddison flemming who was the champ) that sounds liek an awsome group of seniors what makes you think ledyard cant do it again? sure mayeb we wont win states next year but I totaly see ourselves being a top ten team even though we will b quite young. Bilhiemer is a great guy and is not afraid to lose thats why we wrestle one of the toughest scedules in CT besides danbury who else takes on the 07&08 NE champs and 2006 NE CHAMPS (timberlane n lowell) every year? Bilhiemer stepped down for personal reasons. Being a wrestling coach ecspecially one as decdicated to his job on and off the mat is very stressful and time consuming. He has 2 kid snow and wants to be there for there childhood. hes giving up 7 of his winters to ledyard wrestling and four to me while ive been there. and im thankful for that. ANd that fact that he will be coaching at themiddle school next year is AWSOME hes going to mold those kids into high school wrestlers before they even get into our famous mat room aka the bomb shelter. PLease dont make comments when you have no facts to back them up.
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and i never said bilheimer isn't a great guy i have nothing against him i was just stating my opinion and you proved me wrong good luck to Ledyard next year
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Sorry. your right you have the right to state your opinion. i took it as an insult to him (even though you said you didnt mean to) and got defensive becuase bilhiemer is my coach and has been one of the biggest influences in my life. So sorry if i like snapped at you.
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Ledyard will always be a great program, with great youth coaching and fantastic alumni, so you can't ever count them out.
There will always be someone there to try and make them better throughout the season, they have some tough new guys and will always be competetive
To them i wish them good luck next year
and classy guys like Satti, Gabordi, Hightower, etc have really represented Ledyard well
I know i would be devesated if Coach Bowen left after 22 seasons, so i can imagine what they are going through
I may be babbling now so i think ill end here lol
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