Retirement is making Central Collegiate vice-principal Lonny Holmes say goodbye to the teaching and administrative life.

Holmes said he chose retirement at this time of year to take full part in the pension.

“It’s a little weird,” he said. “It came at such a weird time, also with this year being different itself when we had no football this year. The combination of those two things made it feel way different from what it has in the past."

Holmes has been the head coach and assistant coach for basketball and football over the years at Central.

“People are doing what we ask them to do at the school level because they want to be back doing all the things they love, as well as in the classroom. Kids are doing what they can at the school level just to be back in school,” Holmes said. “I know that kids would do the exact same thing if they’re given the opportunity to be involved in athletics. It’s tough, but at the same time, I know we understand the scenario. There are people that are sick and I think It’s important that all coaches understand that and that we teach kids the right lesson at this time. That resilience is just huge.”

There hasn't quite been a time like this pandemic time, though, and Holmes said this is the biggest test of the resilience of young people he's seen in his career.

There are a lot of senior athletes in sports that aren’t going to have the same opportunity to be scouted and move on to the CIS or junior football levels. Holmes has advice for those who have missed out on it.

“I think the big thing for a lot of kids is that they continue to work at the personal skills they need, whether it’s the weight room or running,” he said. “I think most of those kids recognize when it comes back that that is something that they’re going to be able to need to do and share. You feel it most for kids in Grade 12 this year, You feel it the most for kids in Grade 12 this year.”

The cancellation of the sports he said he struggled with was badminton and track, and the re-start for those sports doesn’t look good for this spring either.

“Those kids would have two years that they didn’t get to be a part of something that they love,” Holmes said. “Football and basketball kids, unfortunately, for the basketball kids, at least they got to complete most of their season. They obviously didn’t get an opportunity to go to Hoopla, which is such a wonderful event.”

A fixture on the sidelines for decades in Moose Jaw High School football, Holmes talked about some of the most memorable football athletes he's seen over the years.

Holmes is pleased with the way Colin Belsher has turned around the Cyclones football program. He said he hopes to still coach once again even through his retirement. For the time being, he’s got a list of things to do around the house helpfully provided by his wife Karen who is still on staff at Peacock.

“When I think back to influences, that’s a really huge one to me. The support that she’s given me over those years has been incredible,” Holmes said. “It makes a huge difference in your ability to continue to do what you do. She’s been actively involved in athletics for the same amount of years that I have. I think between the two of us, we’ll make some decisions based around that.

“I don’t think a guy is going to face off into the sunset real quick. Hopefully, I’ve still got something left to give and hopefully I get an opportunity to do that, just like everybody else.”

Holmes said he likes to tinker and renovate around the house anyway, so that will be providing some respite from suddenly getting bored with all the free time, but he also expressed a desire to give back to the community.

“I don’t think I’m going to sit on my hands too long, I’m going to find something to keep me busy,” he said. “Moose Jaw has been very good to me, and I can say the same thing about Saskatchewan, I’ve helped with some programming at that level. That’s the short term plan.”