Alumni Focus - Paul Huebner ('00)
As a pastor’s kid, Paul Huebner (‘00) grew up around St. Croix even before his high school years. He reflects on the importance of his Christian education and how he will encourage future pastors and teachers through his new football coaching role at Martin Luther College.
What does St. Croix mean to you?
St. Croix was instrumental in my growth as an adolescent and teenager. I grew physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in my 4 years of Christian education at SCL. The unity of faith that exists amongst the faculty and staff is certainly what separates St. Croix Lutheran from other high school options, and I was blessed to be surrounded by God’s Word in its truth and purity on a daily basis.
Did any specific SCLA teachers make a positive impact on you?
The St. Croix Lutheran teachers that had the biggest impact on my life would be Pastor Huebner (my father), Mr. Lequia, Mr. Stueber, and Mr. Lemke.
Coach Lemke taught me the veer offense back in high school and has been a mentor and support throughout my football coaching career.
Mr. Stueber taught me that you can enjoy working with high school students in the classroom and the athletic field, even when they act like idiots.
Besides my dad, Mr. Lequia was the biggest influence on me choosing to attend Martin Luther College. I wasn’t entirely sold on public ministry and teaching, but the experiences I had with Mr. Lequia in his Algebra 2 class, Calculus class, and in basketball made me feel like I would enjoy doing the work that he did. He was just such a cool guy who enjoyed his job and enjoyed interacting with his high school students and athletes, and it hit really hard when he was called home to Heaven not long after I graduated.
Finally, Pastor Huebner has always been my role model, my coach, my mentor, and most importantly, my dad. His model of humble service in ministry is something I hope to emulate throughout my teaching and coaching career.
What is your favorite St. Croix memory?
Growing up as the child of a St. Croix teacher/coach, it feels like I was a part of the school for much more than 4 years, so it’s tough to pick out one favorite memory. I’ll lump it all together and say “senior year” and all the time I got to spend with my friends like Justin Bloomer, Mike Conlon, Joe Latorre, Jake Meier, Matt Stueber, and the rest of the SCL Class of 2000.
Explain your new role at Martin Luther College starting this fall 2022.
I have accepted a call to serve as the head football coach at Martin Luther College (MLC). My duties include leading, recruiting, and developing young men for ministry through our football program. My goals include competing for the UMAC championship, qualifying for the NCAA D3 playoffs, and building strong leaders who will serve in the pulpits and classrooms of our churches and schools.
While it may be surprising to some that I won’t be teaching any classes, MLC is committed to finding ways to give their athletic coaches the necessary time and resources to both coach and recruit at a high level. With so many vacant positions in our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) churches and schools, there is a tremendous need to recruit, encourage, train, and develop young people who have the gifts to serve as pastors, principals, teachers, and staff ministers.
Anything else you want to share?
My wife, Heather, has accepted a position as a school-based physical therapist with the River Bend Education District in New Ulm. Our three children, Kyla (9 in July), Braxton (7 in June), and Lukas (4) are a little apprehensive about moving to a new place, but they look forward to playing in New Ulm’s many parks and playgrounds and starting school at St. Paul’s Lutheran in the fall.