Clash of alumni coaches

Fremont-Angola game coached by TSU grads

 

The first game under the new lights on Trine University’s Shive Field Friday night will involve a couple more firsts—the first high school teams to play on the new artificial turf and the first clash of Tri-State alumni coaches at Shive Field.

Angola football coach Luke Amstutz graduated from Tri-State, now Trine, in 2004 with a degree in social studies education. Two years later, Fremont football coach Nick Maksimchuk earned the same degree at Tri-State. Both gravitated to local school systems to establish careers.

The contest represents a Fremont home game, and the Eagles fans will occupy the home bleachers at the athletic field when the game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Fremont season passes will be honored. Admission for all others will be $5 per person.

The game excites the Fremont community, said Fremont Athletic Director Roger Probst. “Everybody’s excited to experience the inaugural night under the lights with a different turf than we’re used to playing on, the great facility, and so forth. The other reason is we’re playing Angola. We‘re rivals, and we’re both having good seasons. We’re coming in with a four-game win streak and I think Angola had a big win over Prairie Heights last week. I can’t wait. I think it’s going to be a great night for Steuben County football.”

He complimented Trine Athletics in organizing the event. “Trine has been outstanding with all this. They have accommodated and helped us in any way they could. The relationship and communication have been great – we couldn’t ask for more.”