When Richard Bechard was pulled to the side by his coach during basketball practice in college, he didn’t know it would change his life. Bechard was taking classes to be a fish and game biologist, but his coach suggested he consider teaching or coaching.

Bechard has been the district activities and athletics director in Blue Valley for eight years. When Southwest opened, he took on the position of school activities director as well. He is also an assistant principal at the school.

Bechard didn’t expect to be a teacher or administrator. He loved the outdoors and wanted to pursue that passion. However, his basketball coach suggested otherwise.

“I admired him and changed my career,” Bechard said. “It’s funny how things like that happen but feel like exactly what you want to be doing.”

Bechard recently returned to his job after a seven-week absence in which he finished a kidney transplant. Two years ago he received a new kidney from his son because his two weren’t working well due to Polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

According to the Mayo Clinic, PKD occurs when cysts grow on the kidneys.

“My old kidneys were literally as large as footballs,” Bechard said. “One weighed four pounds and one three pounds.”

While he was gone, Steve McIlvain, a substitute administrator, filled in for Bechard. He had also substituted for Bechard two years ago when Bechard was having his first surgery.

“I think Southwest is a great high school,” McIlvain said.

Bechard is planning to retire in Kansas and spend a few years working in Missouri. He is going to be the district Athletic Director for Lee’s Summit School District.

Bechard said Lee’s Summit is a good fit for him. It is a good school district academically and is only 22 miles from his house. He also wants Southwest to have its own athletic director, not one split between the district and the school.

“Anytime you leave someplace like I did at Blue Valley, it comes with mixed emotions.” he said.

Bechard said the change of schools was a good opportunity for him professionally. He wants to stay ‘green’ and keep growing in his career. “I guess I’ll be leaving when the first class is leaving; I’m leaving with a good group,” Bechard said, smiling.

Bechard impacts students involved in their school.  He facilitates all clubs and the performing arts, as well as a few other activities, at the school.

“I really enjoyed working with Mr. Bechard,” band director Ed Protzman said. “He has an excellent way of communicating his knowledge in a way that makes people very comfortable.”

Coworkers enjoy working with Bechard.

“He adds a lot of happiness to the office, and a KU theme,” administrator assistant of activities Kathy Nichols said.

Bechard wants education to be applicable in the real world.

“We have to prepare kids with a skill set for college, but also with a skill set to be a good person,” Bechard said.

Making the most of ones life is very important to Bechard.

“Everyone has the same number of minutes in a day,” he said. “It is up to them to determine how they use those minutes. Think of great leaders – they had the same amount of minutes we had. The difference is attitude. If we have a positive attitude, most days will be extraordinary.”

Bechard keeps a water pump in his office to remind him of important life values. He had a plaque made with the “Rules of the Pump” on it.  These rules stress the importance of working hard and not giving up.  Once something is accomplished it can be used to help others in the future.

After he retires, Bechard hopes to still stay involved in Kansas activities and athletics. He likes to travel and will hunt, fish and golf.

“I have a lot of hobbies; I will stay busy,” he said.

Bechard will continue to impact staff and students as he transitions to a career in Missouri.

“I have done in the past 34 years what I love,” Bechard said. “More important than money is doing what you love. I can’t thank that coach [enough] for steering me in the right direction. Set your goals on doing what you think you really love.”

Rules of the Pump

The water pump Bechard keeps in his office reminds him of important life values. He had a plaque made with four important rules that apply both to the pump and to life.

• If you start pumping water and never get there, never quit and keep pumping every day.
• Once the  water flows, you don’t have to pump that hard to keep it going.
• You have to put something in to get something out.
• The best water is the deepest and coldest but the hardest to get to.

Timeline

1979- Graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelors  degree in Biology, Physical Education and Health.

1980- Worked as a teacher and coach for basketball, football and track and field in Stockton, Kan. for ten years.

1990- Began working in an administrative position at Holton High School as an athletic director. Was at Holton for 16 years.

2001- Elected president of the KIAAA (Kansas Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association).

2006- Came to work in Blue Valley.

2012- Elected president of  the  NIAAA (National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association).

2014- Retired from Blue Valley.