North Central athletic director battling COVID-19 has died, his son says
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Paul Loggan, athletic director at North Central High School, who was battling coronavirus, died Sunday, his son said.
His son, Michael Loggan, announced his father’s death on Sunday in a social media post, saying, “Dad just know you have a whole team down here, and please look after us! We love you! #Paulstrong.” The rest of the post said, “He gave us everything he had, and that’s all we can ask for. My dad passed away today at 1:32 p.m. Dad know you have a whole team down here that loves you and please look after all of us. #Paulstrong.”
Washington Township Schools on Sunday evening shared statements from the superintendent, the school board and others, in remembrance of Loggan.
The Washington Township (WT) school community has a very heavy heart today. Earlier this afternoon we lost a champion, North Central (NC) High School Athletic Director Paul Loggan. Our thoughts and support continue to be with his wife and children during this difficult time.
Mr. Loggan has been a vital part of the WT staff family since 1988 and became NC Athletic Director in 2014. During his 31 years at North Central High School he has been a Teacher, Coach, Department Chair, Assistant Athletic Director and finally Athletic Director. He has been dedicated to North Central and the success of students for decades. His competitive, hard-working and passionate spirit made him loved by staff, parents and students.
I recently interviewed Mr. Loggan on WJEL radio and he was beaming with passion for NC athletics. Any statistic on NC athletics he knew as well as the success stories of his thousands of athletes he oversaw. Mr. Loggan has touched many lives throughout his life and career.
Mr. Loggan, you will be missed. Thank you for being a great husband, Dad, coach, Athletic Director and champion for student success. You always made me a proud Superintendent Mr. Loggan and I will miss standing on the sidelines at athletic competitions with you. You are loved by many, rest in peace my friend.
– Dr. Nikki Woodson, Superintendent, Washington Township Schools
North Central Principal Evans Branigan shared a message for students and said the school’s stadium lights would be turned on Sunday and left on all night in honor of Loggan.
“North Central families, this is Principal Branigan and I come to you with a heavy heart this evening. North Central Athletic Director, Paul Loggan, lost his battle with Covid-19 and passed away earlier this afternoon. Paul has been the face of NC athletics for over 30 years and my friend for 25. I’m lucky to have been able to call Paul my friend as he modeled loyalty, dedication, passion and compassion. He and his family are engrained in the fabric of our NC culture.
Parents, although we’re not in the building to provide face to face supports, please share with your child that they can reach out to their counselor via email and their counselor will respond. Even if they just want to put their thoughts and feelings into an email and share them with no response intended, please do so. Paul Loggan, to his core, was a coach and thus I leave you with this quote from Coach Ara Parseghian, “A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are.”
Principal Evans Branigan, North Central High School
“The members of the Washington Township School Board were saddened to learn of the loss of one of our Washington Township family members, Coach Paul Loggan. For many decades, Coach Loggan has been a pillar to Indiana high school athletics, high school football, Washington Township Schools and North Central High School. If there was any question about any part of North Central athletics, Coach Loggan knew the answer. In addition to being a devoted husband and father to his wife and children, Coach Loggan was a dad, a mentor, a friend, teacher and coach to many students at North Central. He has followed many of his students way beyond their high school years and has been one of the most favorites for North Central’s alumni to visit when they are in town or visiting North Central. He is a legend that will truly be missed, but never forgotten.”
Washington Township School Board
And the North Central Athletic boosters spoke of Loggan’s work for student-athletes:
“The North Central Athletic Boosters are deeply saddened at Paul’s passing. Paul’s love for and dedication to North Central’s student athletes was unparalleled. He worked tirelessly on behalf of his athletes to ensure they excelled not only on the playing field but also in the classroom. He never stopped looking for ways to help his athletes and would always say, “I’m doing this for the kids.” Paul will be deeply missed and his legacy will last through the lives of all of the athletes and families he has supported over the years. Our sympathies go out to his wife, Kathy, and his children Michael, Will and Sami.”
North Central Athletic Boosters
News 8’s Dan Klein talked to Michael on April 6, when Paul was hospitalized with the virus. And he learned about Paul Loggan’s legacy at North Central from teacher and coach Mark Haste. Below find those interviews.
Students and even rival schools have reached out with support to Paul Loggan.
“Being with each other and know we have the support of the community behind us gives us that will to keep going,” said Paul’s son, Michael.
Paul Loggan has been a part of Washington Township Schools for more than 30 years.
Not even his family is allowed by his side at St. Vincent Hospital, as part of the precautions the hospital is taking. Loggan is heavily sedated and on a ventilator.
The prayers and support from the Washington Township community mean everything to Michael and the rest of the family.
“We’re sitting by a phone 24/7, just waiting for it to ring,” said Michael.
It’s a wait that has been going on for days for the Loggan family.
Michael graduated from North Central in 2014. His younger brother is also a North Central graduate, and his sister is part of the class of 2020.
The medical team usually calls twice with update: once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
After a roller coaster of sickness last week, Paul went to the hospital on Wednesday when he was having trouble breathing.
“Every day is a battle. We’ll have our good hours and we’ll have our bad hours,” said Michael.
As word spread, the support began pouring in, including a video compilation nearly six minutes long from senior athletes wishing him the best, sent to a man who tried not to miss a minute of their matches or meets, who is now in his own struggle.
Few would know better than Michael.
“North Central is just his life. That whole community, Washington Township would do absolutely anything for him. They are repaying the favor by sending all the prayers and having our back right now,” Michael said.
North Central teacher and coach Mark Haste has known Paul Loggan almost 40 years.
“He always puts himself behind everybody else,” Haste said.
The support from kids is no surprise to him, for as many years as Paul Loggan has put kids first.
“You know that people touch other people, but times like this, you actually see and get a chance to get a glimpse of what that impact has been like,” Haste said.
It’s a battle that’s come out of nowhere for Paul Loggan.
Michael’s message to everyone under the governor’s orders is “Stay at home. Do your part. You don’t think that it will happen to you, but you don’t know.”
“He’s a big softie for us, but he’s the toughest guy I know. He’s fighting for us and we’re fighting for him,” Michael said.
So while they may be apart, but Paul’s not alone, judging by all the messages and tweets with #PaulStrong.
“We just thank you as the Loggan family. It means the absolute most to us,” Michael said.