DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Induction Year: 2011 | Graduation Year: 1962

Virgil Studebaker, son of Laurel and Frances Studebaker graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1962. While in high school Virgil participated in the Future Farmers of America where he served as vice president and president of the local chapter and sentinel of the county chapter. In his junior year he was awarded the degree of State Farmer and was nominated for state vice president at the state convention. Virgil was vice president of the National Honor Society and participated in choir in his senior year. He had the male lead in the junior class play and served as student director of the senior class play. During his time at Olive Branch Jr. High and Tecumseh High School, Virgil played basketball and earned All-League Honorable Mention his senior year.

After graduating from Tecumseh, Virgil attended Manchester College and The Ohio State University where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1966. He then came back to Tecumseh to teach Vocational Agriculture and Biology. After teaching for 4 years, Virgil worked and New Carlisle Tractor for 38 years. He was part owner for 22 years and served as it secretary-treasurer and general manager. While working there he was listed in “Who’s Who in American Business.” After one year of retirement, he is now working at The Dayton Tool Crib as shipping-receiving administrator.

Virgil married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Zeller, in 1966. They celebrated their 45th anniversary last year. Virgil and Joyce have 3 sons; Kevin, Jon, and Jason who also graduated from Tecumseh along with Jon’s wife, Amy Ledford Studebaker. Virgil and Joyce also have 6 grand children; Kirstie, who graduated from Tecumseh and is now attending Wright State University, Alec MacKenzie, and Brooke, who attend schools within the district, and Lily and Rhett, who are not yet in school.

Virgil’s love of sports has continued thoughout his life. As his sons were growing up, he coached youth soccer teams and TABB basketball for 10 years. Virgil has been a member of the Tecumseh Athletic Boosters since 1966 and served as it’s president for 5 years and as a trustee for many years. He also chaired the committee that established the Tecumseh Athletic Hall of Fame. He is now in his 46th year of running the clock at Tecumseh basketball games. Virgil presently is the statistician for the Arrow’s football team where he has been working for the last 22 years. Virgil is an avid Buckeye fan and has been working at The Ohio State University football games as a “Redcoat” for 15 years.

During the years since teaching, Virgil has served on the Tecumseh Strategic Planning Cabinet, now known as the Tecumseh Continuous Improvement Committee, since its inception in 1973. He is now serving as trustee for the Olive Branch School Preservation Board of Directors.

Virgil would like to thank his family for supporting him as he gave his time to the athletic programs here at Tecumseh. He would like to express his appreciation to the many coaches and athletic directors he has had the pleasure of working with during the years.