Shipman retires after 22 years

Over 25 years in public education at local schools, along with directorship of the Carrington Public Schools' technology department, came to an end in May with the retirement of Wayne Shipman.

Shipman was employed by the district for 22 years, beginning when he was hired to teach business education classes in the summer of 2001 under the administration of then-Superintendent Dr. Charles Brickner.

"He provided me with a great opportunity, and for that, I am thankful. I've enjoyed working at Carrington Public Schools," he said. "The community has been very good for us as well."

A 1985 Granville High School graduate, Shipman attended Minot State University, where he graduated in 1991 while splitting time with service in the National Guard from 1988-96.

He began his educational career at Sykeston High School, teaching business and physical education classes for seven years. He also was head coach of the Wells County Bears (Fessenden/Bowdon/Hurdsfield/Sykeston co-op) football team for five years, while also coaching junior high football and track.

Shipman then left education for two years to work in the private sector, but stayed in the coaching realm as an assistant basketball coach for New Rockford High School in 1998-99.

In 2000, he went back to school as the business teacher at Fessenden, also assisting with junior high basketball, track and football, before making his final stop in Carrington.

In 2012, Superintendent Dr. Brian Duchscherer tabbed Shipman as the school's Technology Director, switching his focus from the classroom to all things network and computer-based within the school district.

"The job entails many things, such as maintaining all technology devices like student MacBooks, teacher and staff iMacs and MacBooks, managing the computers using JAMF Pro, interactive projectors, printers and copy machines, and managing the Wi-Fi and network connections," he said. "Also, I helped staff with technology items, managing the school website, and ensuring that the switches and battery backups are working."

His love of sports and competition meant that Shipman has always been around to guide all levels of athletes.

Since 2004, he has been the only head coach of the CHS baseball program, which began under his tutelage. Prior to that year, Carrington had a co-op with Kensal for baseball which ran for a few years, but never as its own standalone team.

"We had a good first season, placing third in the region tournament," he recalled. "The next few years, we had some growing pains, and then in 2008, things started to improve."

And improve they certainly did.

The Cards have advanced to the state tournament seven out of the past 11 years, with their best finish coming in 2015 when they were state runners-up to May-Port-CG.

"I'm happy where the program is, but there's always room for improvement, and that is what we plan to do the next few years," said Shipman.

In other top leadership responsibilities, he is the current girls' golf coach, starting on his third year in that role, and led the Cardinal boys' basketball program for two seasons from 2004 to spring 2006.

He has also served as assistant basketball coach (15 years), and coached junior high football (14 years), fifth and sixth grade basketball (eight years), and seventh and eighth grade basketball (four years).

For now, Shipman will remain as girls' golf coach and will return to the baseball diamond next spring.

"After those seasons, we'll see where things lead," he says.

"I've had some great memories coaching all the athletes from Sykeston, Bowdon, Fessenden and Carrington that I was fortunate to work with over the years, along with the great coaches early in my career," said Shipman.

He also recalled being on the bench for the 2018 Region 3 boys' basketball championship team as a great memory, along with all seven baseball region titles.

Wayne and his wife, Denise, have felt fortunate to raise three children in the Carrington community, Jayden, Danielle and Grady.

"Carrington is a nice town to live, and we've made many friends both here and Sykeston," he says, and added, "When we first moved to Sykeston in 1991, they were very welcoming, and we're grateful for all the support they showed us while we lived there."