What higher or more noble station could there be in life for one to embrace, than the responsibilities of teaching and coaching young growing minds in the hopes that, in fruition, they might someday make meaningful and beneficial contributions to all mankind and strengthen society’s moral fiber and much-needed values? Some day, the human touch may no longer be in the mix, and AI might punch out emotionless and cold, unfeeling data with no inspiration to motivate others to become leaders or to strive for success. 

On May 1, 1950 in Savanna, Illinois on the Mississippi River, population 3188, a son was born to Spiros and Dorothy Themas of second generation Greek American ancestry. They named him Mike. Three more sons would follow each year in succession—Ron, Danny, and Toby and later, Dorothy’s salvation, a girl she named Judy. As each of the boys grew it became clear that athletics was the centerpiece of the family’s social gatherings. 

Mike’s father Spiros was a foreman at the Milwaukee Road Rail Road Company and when Mike was old enough he helped repair track, lay new rails and ties, and became no stranger to a hammer and a hard day’s work. At Savanna High School, Mike was a notable standout three-sport athlete for The Indians, and in his senior year, he and his brothers ran a relay race with a Themas in each leg. After graduation in 1968, he was off to Knox College where he played wide receiver and defensive back and studied Chemistry, Math, and Science. In high school, Mike held his PE teacher and good friend John Shimp in the highest regard, but the strongest, most influential pull in his life would be his father, Spiros, who was the starting quarterback as a freshman in his day but had to drop out of school early and join the workforce to help pay the bills.

After college, at the Community Congregational Church on July 15,1972 in Savanna, Mike Themas married his classmate, best friend, and high school sweetheart, Sandra Phialmlee, who would later work 19 years at IVC and Mossville Grade school. As fortune would have it, Mike was offered and accepted positions at IVC High School in the Science Department with Football and Track and Field responsibilities, formerly held by the legendary football coach of the Grey Ghosts, George Taylor who retired. Their first daughter, Tressa, was born in 1973 and Gretchen in 75, with son Pete in 77 as the start of a long, fulfilling career of teaching, coaching, and parenting which lifted into flight and affect the lives of so many along the way. 

Three-quarters of a century has passed in his life but he knows it’s not the time in the life you have, it’s the life in the time that counts and although he still teaches as a part-time substitute at Dunlap and IVC a little, his grandchildren have captured his heart and extra moments. Not only being an outstanding educator for 40 plus years, Mike’s coaching record in Track and Field speaks for itself—eight conference championships, three sectional titles and 133 athletes qualified for competition in state IHSA finals, of which 28 were state medalists, five were state champions and one was state record holder. His varsity dual and triangular record was 282 wins, 92 losses, and two ties. Oh! and in his spare time he managed to coach freshman–sophomore football for 30 years and was cross country coach for 10. 

In 2019, Mike Themas and long-time coaching friend Paul Mercer were inducted into the Chilli-IVC Sports HOF and they each know that efforts from other coaches and faculty support, helped make it happen. One of Mike’s coaching staples was to expose as many potential student-athletes as possible to opportunities to succeed in track and field, starting at the freshman level. Opportunity is the first vehicle to success in learning or athletics, and leadership that inspires and motivates hungry minds with strong growing bodies completes the process. Coach Themas provided opportunities and motivation to hundreds and hundreds of student-athletes so they could realize their true potential, win or lose. 

Forty years as a coach’s wife will present many sacrifices and it takes a special gal to have her partner’s back through good times and bad but in all those times, Sandy stood by her man, especially when serious medical heart issues arose, and rehabilitation at home was needed. He was 38 years old at the time but later handled triple bypass surgery and came back swinging stronger than ever. Not surprisingly, athletics was always a part of their family, with Tressa playing volleyball at IVC and Gretchen volleyball, softball, and basketball while Pete played two years of football, four years of basketball, and four years in baseball for the Ghosts. Today, Sandy and Mike follow all the contests that the grandchildren participate in, which creates a lot of windshield time since there are 10 of them, but they won’t miss one game. When one sits with Mike and recalls grand old memories of the past, it should be obvious to them that he exudes a look and demeanor of accomplishment, contentment, and satisfaction knowing that he has given his best efforts to his student-athletes and hopefully has made long-lasting and positive contributions to their futures. 

Success comes in many ways: long hours, hard work, preparation, and sometimes a little support from our peers. Comrades and friends in arms like Ellis Horton, Marty Ogburn, Dale Lober, George Taylor, Tom Snyder, Greg Easter, Bob Prout, Jim Thornton, Ron Wietzel, Steve Mercer, Wendy Childs, and many more. Mike has come a long way since those early days as a scrawny kid in the Railyards of Savanna, driving steel spikes into crossties and daydreaming of touchdowns, home runs, and buzzer-beaters to come. But somewhere up high where loved ones are at peace Dorothy and Spiros are smiling down with proud hearts at all of their children’s lives and accomplishments. 

The story of Mike’s life, teaching, and coaching career should inspire all who know him and know that there are still those of his caliber left in our system of education for the moment. There have been and always will be Hometown Heroes in Chillicothe of different walks, occupations, and stature, and now Mike Themas joins those ranks. Happy Birthday Coach.  Go Cubbies!