This week, Mid-Prairie head boys basketball coach Chris Kern announced at his team’s end of season banquet that he would be stepping down from his position as head coach at the school.

Kern, a Mid-Prairie alumni, joined the coaching staff at Mid-Prairie for the 1986-1987 season as an assistant coach for former Golden Hawk head coach Don Showalter. Kern served as an assistant coach for 25 seasons. During that time the Golden Hawks enjoyed much success including five state tournament appearances, finishing as runners-up in 2007. During this time Kern also had the opportunity to coach his sons Travis and Jason, each appearing in the state tournament once, Travis in 2005 and Jason in 2007.

Kern assumed the head coaching position at Mid-Prairie for the 2012-2013 season. In his four years with Mid-Prairie the Golden Hawks accumulated an overall record of 22-66, including a 17-51 mark in conference play during that span. Mid-Prairie’s best season in that period was 2013-2014. That year saw the Golden Hawks finish 11-12 overall and end the year 9-9 in the River Valley South. Kern compiled an overall playoff record of 1-4. The lone playoff win coming in a thrilling 63-61 win over West Liberty at the end of the 2013-2014 season on a Dayton Hall tip in with no time remaining.

Kern’s first two head coaching victories were also major highlights, a 48-46 win over rival Washington at Tim Grady Gymnasium in Wellman and an upset of #1 West Branch on the road 57-49. Kern’s final victory was a 55-50 overtime win against the Durant Wildcats on January 30th of this year, the lone win for the Hawks in the most recent season. This week Kern talked about his decision to step down and what’s next for him, saying that he will enjoy his time away from basketball with family and other activities.

The Golden Hawks ended 2015-16 with an overall record of 1-21, they were beaten in the first round of the playoffs by Wilton 49-35.