Michael Delp Named New Plymouth High School Athletic Director

Michael Delp

On Tuesday, June 5, 2018, Plymouth Community School Corporation school board approved the appointment of Michael Delp as the new Plymouth High School Athletic Director. Delp succeeds Roy Benge, who retired last month after holding the role of the school’s athletic director for the past 18 years.

Delp was an outstanding student-athlete at Plymouth High School, graduating in 1994. He went on to play basketball at Taylor University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics education. He completed his masters at Indiana Wesleyan University where he also received his administrative certificate in K-12 education. He served as a math teacher at Plymouth High School from 1998 to 2012. The following year Delp taught math to students who attended the newly launched Project Based Learning school Weidner School of Inquiry @ Plymouth High School. In June 2014 Delp was named Co-Director of WSOI; a role he has held proudly finishing out the school year last week.

For the past 19 years, Delp has been the head coach of the Plymouth High School boys tennis team. During that time, the team won 19 sectional championships, 8 NLC championships and never finished lower than fourth in the Northern Lakes Conference. Other coaching positions include coaching boys golf in 2006, which is the only team in PHS boys history to qualify and play in the State Championship. Delp also enjoyed 10 years as an assistant varsity boys basketball coach.

Michael is married to Heather (Pickerell) Delp. Heather, is also a PHS graduate, and a 12 varsity letter award winner as well as a former Kizer award winner. She represented Plymouth as an Indiana All-star in Volleyball in 1994.  She went on to be a Hall of Fame and All-American volleyball setter for Taylor University from 1995 to 1999.  She is currently a Developmental Therapist for First Steps and coaches volleyball for Lincoln Junior High.

The two have two children; Taylor will be in 8th grade at Lincoln Jr. High next year. She is an athlete and a talented artist. She has competed in volleyball, basketball, and track for the Red Storm this year. She also plays tennis in the summer. Trey will be a 6th grader at Riverside. He loves playing a wide variety of sports which include basketball, baseball, tennis, and golf.

Delp’s grandfather, Robert Hileman, was the first athletic director for Plymouth High School from 1962 to 1986. Michael has fond memories of this time. They include his grandfather and grandmother working on the season ticket seating chart at their house, getting to play in the gym with his cousins during Christmas break, and the run that the 1982 basketball team had to a State Championship. Because of his grandfather’s role, he got to be around the team at various times throughout the year (practice, games, and tournament games). Delp also said, “Most importantly, I remember my grandfather’s love for Plymouth athletics. I remember him as a strong, quiet and humble man who appeared to have a servant leadership approach.”

In response to his new position, Delp said, “I consider it an absolute honor and privilege to be the next Athletic Director at Plymouth High School. I have vivid memories of attending numerous sporting events as a child and participant as a high school student-athlete. While at PHS, I was blessed to be mentored by Hall of Fame coaches Mary Beth Hunter (Tennis) and Jack Edison (Basketball). So, I know firsthand the importance that great teachers and coaches have played in my life. My hope is that as I move a little further away from the front lines of the classroom and practice field, that I will be able to find, serve, and support the next round of great PHS coaches. Over the years, the challenges may have evolved but the mission remains the same, and that is to mentor and mold the next generation of great leaders and learners in the Plymouth Community. I look forward to carrying on the legacy set by my predecessors Mr. Roy Benge, Mr. Bill Nixon, and my grandfather, Mr. Robert Hileman, as I become the next caretaker of what it means to be a Plymouth High School student-athlete. Thank you to the PCSC School Board, Mr. Hartley, Mr. Condon, and as well as all of those who have supported me in this process. I am so excited to get started. Go Big Red!”


Michael and Heather Delp