In recent years, he is best known for leading the purple and white on the gridiron. Highlighted by Fair Grove reaching its first state championship game.
“It’s hard to not talk about the state championship game,” said former Fair Grove head football coach Bill Voorhis. “You know, we had the lead with 30 minutes and 19 seconds to go. Not that anybody will remember that maybe other than me.”
It turns out that Voorhis’ 17 years of coaching football includes a few springs and summers coaching another sport.
“There were lots of people who were like, oh, he does softball too? What?,” said Voorhis’ daughter, Addison. “So, it took lots of people by surprise, I think.”
Voorhis has coached his twin daughters’ travel softball team for eight years. Also taking on the role as high school softball coach the last two years.
“I think any coach that has kids, you kind of look forward to trying to coach [you own],” Bill said.
Bill is approaching his first season as Kickapoo head football coach. That school pride is on full display, while spending his final summer of coaching from the diamond.
“Seeing him around the football boys is definitely a more intense,” said Bill’s daughter, Aubrie. “[We see him] tone it back being around a bunch of teenage girls.”
“He still loves us like our dad, but he also coaches us and helps us get better,” Addison said.
The Chiefs’ softball and football season conflict, meaning Voorhis will retire one of his many hats.
“It was definitely hard knowing that he wouldn’t be able to coach our senior year, but it definitely has made it easier knowing that we have a great coach at Kickapoo,” Aubrie said.
“It’s nice to be able to turn them over to somebody like Coach [Jason] Howser and Coach [Chelsea] Turner
that are highly accomplished softball coaches in their own right,” Bill said. “I could just be dad and just watch for a little bit, just enjoy.”
