Written by A Note from the Marion Watch Investigates Team
This past week was an emotional one for our community, and especially for our team. We spent the week in “side chats,” outside of our usual group chats, sharing stories and discussing the two amazing men being honored: Coach Mac and Coach Henning. They were invaluable influences on all of us.
As we watched the ceremonies Friday, we found ourselves shaking our heads in agreement with each and every touching speech. The stories of old-school discipline—like “putting someone against a locker”—may seem intense by today’s educational standards, but we understood. It was always necessary, and it helped guide and shape us in ways we still struggle to explain with words.
Even those of us who were not in sports looked up to these amazing mentors and leaders who dedicated their entire lives to the City of Marion. The following article is a summary of the two events that so deeply touched our community and our team.
A Legacy of Love and Leadership: Marion City Schools Unveils the Michael J. McCreary District Service Center
Community members, colleagues, friends, and family gathered at Marion City Schools for a special occasion: to honor a man whose heart and influence shaped the district for over three decades. The district’s service center was officially renamed the Michael J. McCreary District Service Center as a lasting tribute to the man affectionately known to all as “Coach Mac.”
The ceremony, led by Superintendent Brian Murphy (Class of 1992), was marked by raw emotion. The weight of Coach Mac’s legacy was palpable, as several guest speakers fought back tears while recounting his personal impact. Harding High School Principal Todd Schneider, who was hired by Mac, was visibly moved, describing his mentor as “a light in the dark for so many… a smile when you needed it… a hug when you didn’t even know you needed one.” Schneider, who also spoke at Mac’s funeral, added, “He took a chance on a young man 21 years ago that was very rough around the edges, but he took a chance on me… and that’s why I’m here today.”
“He Coached Us All in Life”: Speakers Share Their Stories
A unanimous portrait emerged of a leader who masterfully blended firm, old-school discipline with an even greater capacity for love. City Council Member Sean Barr, who wrestled for Mac, recalled “messing around in the hallway” and suddenly finding himself “up against the locker and it’s Coach Mac in my face.” Barr explained that his parents had told Mac to “treat him like your own,” and, with emotion in his voice, he affirmed, “that’s exactly what Coach Mac did.”
This duality of toughness and support was a common theme. Scott Weibling, President of the Board of Education, recalled how Mac, his first principal, “supported me when I needed it… but he chewed my butt when I needed it, and I most definitely deserve that.” Weibling shared a story of misspeaking during a parent meeting, noting Mac had his back until the parents left. “As soon as the parents left the room he said ‘don’t you ever use that phrase again’… and I didn’t.”
His impact, however, went far beyond discipline. Heidi Jones, President of the Marion Chamber of Commerce, spoke to his ability to see every student. Identifying as a kid who “liked to fly under the radar,” she said, “I wasn’t an athlete… but Coach Mac knew my name… It was that constant reminder that I mattered… If you ever met him… you remembered that not because of what he said, but because of the way he made you feel. I felt special. I felt seen. I felt capable. And I felt loved.” Mayor Bill Collins shared a similar long-term perspective, recalling a memory from 53 years ago as a second-grader in Mac’s gym class, playing with “this huge parachute” in what, for Collins, was the beginning of a lifelong friendship with “a role model.”
Others spoke to his lasting professional mentorship. Sean Kearns, Director of Athletics, said that for him, “Coach Mac was my boss.” He recalled his 1999 job interview, where Mac offered him the position with the caveat, “we’re going to expect that you coach for us for about five years at least.” Kearns, now in his 27th year, called him “a man that I wanted to work for… I still want to make him proud.” Assistant Law Director Jeff Ratliff told a vivid story from his freshman year of being caught in the hall without a pass. Coach Mac gave him two options: detention, or “drop down right here and give me 25 push-ups.” Ratliff chose the push-ups, after which Mac made him “shake on it” and “give me your word.” Ratliff concluded, “I gave him his word and I kept it.” Head Football Coach CJ Westler perfectly encapsulated this, citing a quote he feels defines Coach Mac: “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
The ceremony concluded as Coach Mac’s wife, Jan, and his family joined board members—including Kathy Swanger, Evan Geyer, and Rocky Ratliff—to unveil the new signage.
A “Surreal Moment”: Marion Honors Coach Ed Henning in Emotional Second Ceremony
Later that same afternoon, the community gathered again for what Superintendent Brian Murphy described as another “surreal moment.” This time, they assembled at the fitness center to honor another district pillar, Edwin D. Henning. In a ceremony just as emotional as the one that morning, the facility was officially dedicated as the Edwin D. Henning Fitness Center.
Henning’s daughter, Kelly Dael, spoke first, capturing the family’s perspective. “He was just our big teddy bear,” she said, admitting they were shocked by the honor. “We’ve been talking a lot about what would he think about this… we know that he would be humbled by it, but he would also in his gruff voice would say, ‘Well, I don’t know about that.'”
A Legacy of 100 Seasons and Countless Lives
The speakers, many of whom had also spoken for Coach Mac, told stories of a man who was a “giant” in humor, compassion, and character. Todd Schneider was again visibly moved, calling Henning one of his “heroes.” He shared a heartbreaking memory from Henning’s final days: “I’m holding his hand and I’m crying… I’m like, ‘Coach, I can never pay you back. I’m always going to pay it forward.’… and he looked at me and he just goes…” Schneider laughed through tears, adding, “it was his way of even in his final moments, he was still… busting my chops.”
Others remembered his unique personality. Sean Barr shared a story of finding him in the locker room wearing “his boxers and t-shirt and got his shoes and socks on.” When Barr asked why, Henning replied, “‘Well, Sean, what if the place catches on fire? I don’t want to be out there barefooted.’… being prepared and thinking ahead was just the way he did things.” Sean Kearns drew laughter with a story about Henning’s “retirement” from wrestling, only to immediately become the JV girls’ basketball coach. “I said, ‘This I got to see.’… And if I remember correctly, they went 18 and two. I mean, the guy was a magician.”
His influence was felt in the classroom as well. Heidi Jones fondly remembered him as her science teacher. “One day in science class, a couple of students were flirting and he simply said, ‘You are in science class, but it’s not chemistry.'” CJ Westler recalled meeting Henning in eighth grade as an aspiring quarterback. “He was asking me how tall I was… and he basically said, ‘You’re not getting much taller. You’ll be here next year.’… I don’t think he was waiting for an answer.”
Scott Weibling and Kathy Swanger spoke to his broad impact as a colleague. Weibling reiterated, “I cannot separate Coach Mac and Ed.” Swanger praised Henning’s “global view,” noting he supported all students, not just athletes: “He was at every music concert. He was at every music performance… it didn’t matter what kids did, Ed was there to support them.” Head Wrestling Coach Jeff Ratliff shared Henning’s core philosophy. He explained that Henning, knowing his own limitations, would bring in other coaches to help. Henning told him, “Jeff, the important thing is the kid learns the technique that helps him win the wrestling match, not that you taught it to him.” Ratliff concluded, “And that’s what I try to do today.”
The ceremony concluded with the Henning family, joined by an emotional Rocky Ratliff and other board members like Tara Dyer, unveiling the new sign.
More Than a Name
The day was filled with tears, laughter, and a profound sense of gratitude. Marion didn’t just name two buildings; it collectively paused to honor two men who were, for so many, a compass, a father figure, and a lifeline. The stories told were not just memories; they were testaments to a legacy that doesn’t fade.
As the sun set on a day dedicated to two giants, it was clear that while Coach Mac and Coach Henning are gone, their lessons, their love, and their unwavering belief in the potential of every kid will echo in the halls, fields, and hearts of this community forever. They built more than athletes; they built people. And Marion will forever be better for it.