It was time to say goodbye.
After 43 years, hundreds of people took the time to celebrate, honor and most importantly, bid farewell to one of the most beloved and respected individuals in Columbus North athletics history.
June 25 marked the end of the Steve Souder Era at North, as he decided it was finally time to call it a career as an athletic trainer.
But before it came to an official end, there was one last surprise for him.
North athletic trainer Ashley Martin was one of the leaders who recently organized a special party for Souder, 66, in the school’s auxiliary gym. When Souder returned to the school at 4 p.m. on June 25, he was surprised to see decorations, a photo album and poster for guests to sign, and of course his signature golf cart, all inside the gym.
During the celebration, Mayor Jim Lienhoop gave a speech thanking Souder for his commitment to the school and community and used his powers to proclaim the day as “Steve Souder Day” in Columbus.
Once it was Souder’s turn to speak, it was him giving the thanks.
“I want to thank my family, especially my wife, Ardis, for the hours that I wasn’t at home,” Souder said. “In hindsight, it’s the staff that’s here, the athletes and my family that made it all worthwhile being here. If (former athletics director) Bill Stearman, rest his soul, had told me that I’d be here for 43 years, I would have looked at him and said, ‘Bill, you’re crazy!'”
For more on this story, read Sunday’s Republic.
