District Mourns Loss Of Teacher, Coach

HILLIARD, Ohio -- Many high-school teachers are also coaches. Often, teachers who coach seem like two people because they impact so many lives and connect with so many people in such different ways.

As a special-education teacher and wrestling coach, Shawn Watton was no exception.

So, when he suddenly passed away on Oct. 8 at the age of 45, a collective sadness settled across Central Ohio from Cochocton to Hilliard to Springfield.

Born in Zanesville to a local celebrity football coach, it seems that Watton grew up on the field.

Moving to Coshocton in early elementary school and progressing through the local school system there, his father coached him in football and wrestling.

Graduating from the University of Dayton, Watton married one of his college classmates, Inge, and lived and worked in Springfield for much of the early part of his career.

His daughters, 13-year-old Emily, 15-year-old Erin and 18-year-old Amanda, still live there with their mother.

While teaching at Springfield Shawnee, Watton coached state champion wrestler Rick Allen.

In August 2001, Watton began teaching in the special-education department at Hilliard Davidson High School and immediately befriended fellow teacher Hutch Hubschman.

“Shawn was very opinionated and not a typical special-education ‘touchy-feely’ teacher. He taught his students that life is hard and life is tough,” said Hubschman. “But he had a knack for getting to kids that other teachers couldn’t get to.”

“Shawn's strongest attribute was his ability to see great qualities in all of his students," Davidson Principal John Bandow said.

Watton spent many years as the head coach at Springfield Shawnee High School and the past eight seasons as an assistant coach at Hilliard Davidson and Big Walnut high schools.

Watton coached wrestling nearly every year that he taught at Davidson and had a huge impact on the players and coaches there.

“Coach Watton was a dedicated father, teacher, coach and friend. He had a big heart and passion to help students in all aspects of life. His knowledge of the sport of wrestling made a big impact on our team and our success over the last decade,” said Davidson Head Wrestling Coach Dominic DiSabato. “Shawn touched so many lives here at Davidson, including mine. He will be missed.”
“Coach Watton always supported me, win or lose, and always was there to help,” said Alex Friedman, a Davidson junior who wrestled for Watton. “Coach Watton was the first every time to come up and say ‘great job’ after a match.”

When Hilliard opened its third high school this fall, Watton was one of many who moved to Bradley to teach and coach. He taught intervention math and U.S. History classes and was going to coach wrestling with Head Wrestling Coach John Riggs.

“Shawn was a tremendous addition to our teaching and wrestling staffs here at Bradley. We were looking forward to the opportunity to work with him this winter,” said Riggs. “We will miss his contribution to the sport of wrestling and his positive impact on kids.”

Though his time in the newly established Bradley teaching family was short, his impact was still felt.

“Shawn had a passion and a knack for reaching students who had never before experienced success in school,” said Bradley Principal Dave Stewart.

Sophomores Tony Harvard, Jasmine Price and Michael Sengkhamvilay knew him well.

“He was a good guy,” said Harvard. “He helped me pass last year and helped me with my grades. He was a good guy to me.”

“Mr. Watton was a great teacher and helped very much with my grades. He was very sweet and even made you laugh a little,” said Price. “He would always ask how we were feeling or ‘What’s up?’ He was my favorite teacher.”

“Mr. Watton was one of those teachers you’d love to have in any of your classes. He was special to me because of the things he did. I would talk to him about anything -- about my day or what I do like break dancing,” said Sengkhamvilay. “He always supported me. He helped me so much in school. Without him, school will be harder for me. He was a good teacher, and I’ll never forget him.”

Many across Central Ohio gathered during the week following his passing.

In addition to the calling hours and funeral in Coshocton, Watton's daughters hosted an open house in Springfield that they called a "Celebration of Life," on the farm of former wrestler Rick Allen.

Current students and graduates of Davidson as well as current students from Bradley attended the gatherings.

“The number of current and former students and colleagues that attended his calling hours and funeral was a testament to the impact he had on the people around him,” said Stewart.

Stewart recently announced that an award at Bradley will be established to honor Watton’s memory.

“It has been suggested that we name one of our spring academic awards after Shawn and award it to a special-needs student,” explained Stewart. “I think that is a fantastic idea and a fitting tribute. We will finalize plans for that in time for this spring.”

A more immediate way to honor his memory is also available. Contributions can be directed to Coach Shawn Watton Wrestling Scholarship Fund, c/o Ohio Heritage Bank, 200 Main St., Coshocton, Ohio 43812. An online memorial is located at given-dawsonfuneralhome.com.

This story first was written for Hilliard Bradley’s The Reporter and shared with NBC 4 as part of a media collaboration between schools and the station.