In Episode 5 of Season Three of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Mr. Aaron Sayre, Upper School learning specialist and head varsity golf coach. He just led the Preppers to a seventh-place finish in their third straight trip to the Division I state championship. Mr. Sayre takes us back to Green High School, where baseball was his identity and gym was his favorite class. He explains how following his friends to the University of Akron eventually led him to Ohio State and a personal finance degree. Just before graduating, he realized he wanted to help people, just not with their money, so he went on to earn a master’s in special education. He then spent 11 years at Horizon Science Academy, a charter school off East 55th and St. Clair. There he learned that for many of his students, the most valuable thing he could offer was showing up every day and never canceling a practice.

After his US interview, he told his wife he didn’t think he could fit here, and his father-in-law answered that “this could be your last job.” Mr. Sayre reflects on finding his place in learning services, where he never has to grade a boy and can simply walk alongside him, and on how AI can help or hurt that work. He also shares how Mrs. Coy introduced him to the faculty as “the next golf coach,” why he took over the program so it wouldn’t go to the wrong person, and how captain Nate’s offseason put the golf team in the weight room for the first time. He explains why he writes tournament recaps for a sport played far from Friday night lights, and why the credit belongs to the players: “I don’t hit any of the shots.” He also describes sharing one hotel room with four kids the night before states. To close, he describes his “why”: a servant mindset that revolves around everyone else.

Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.