From blocking schemes to bus routes
Former Beaver lineman Rich Koeper drives school buses in Corvallis area after retirement
Patrick Chabreck
Issue date: 5/22/09 Section: Sports
"It was really by accident that I got involved in this business," Koeper said.
While they were talking, Koeper discovered that Brennan was driving buses in the Corvallis School District at the time. Brennan gave Koeper the First Student telephone number, and Koeper made the call soon after.
"I called First Student and it turned out they were in need of drivers. Originally I wanted to be a backup driver rather than an everyday guy, but they needed drivers to take over, so here I am," Koeper said.
Koeper eventually began to think that he might want to get his own route. He thought that it would be nice to have a daily routine with his own group of students each morning and afternoon.
"I really wanted to get to know the kids I drove to school," Koeper said. "I find it to be much more enjoyable that way. It's fun to get in habits where you figure out each child's personality."
One might find it absurd that an ex-NFL player is a school bus driver in Corvallis, but after taking a closer look, the duty may seem more dignified.
"I think that it's a very honorable thing for Rich to be doing," Brennan said. "A bus driver is responsible for the lives of 50 to 60 children at once, and [the children] depend on him to get them where they need to be."
Koeper finds his job very satisfying and he is growing fonder of it every day.
"When it's really early in the morning and everything's dark outside, it's hard to tell where you are," Koeper said. "Everything is so peaceful - I just love it. After the bus is parked, I get to go out and start my day out with coffee and talking to friends."
In 1965, there were two separate professional leagues - the NFL and AFL - and teams from both leagues drafted Koeper, specifically the NFL's Packers the AFL's Oakland Raiders.
"Though the thought of living right across the bay from my old home in San Francisco was appealing, I chose Green Bay. The NFL just seemed to be a more logical league to sign with because of its long history," Koeper said.
While they were talking, Koeper discovered that Brennan was driving buses in the Corvallis School District at the time. Brennan gave Koeper the First Student telephone number, and Koeper made the call soon after.
"I called First Student and it turned out they were in need of drivers. Originally I wanted to be a backup driver rather than an everyday guy, but they needed drivers to take over, so here I am," Koeper said.
Koeper eventually began to think that he might want to get his own route. He thought that it would be nice to have a daily routine with his own group of students each morning and afternoon.
"I really wanted to get to know the kids I drove to school," Koeper said. "I find it to be much more enjoyable that way. It's fun to get in habits where you figure out each child's personality."
One might find it absurd that an ex-NFL player is a school bus driver in Corvallis, but after taking a closer look, the duty may seem more dignified.
"I think that it's a very honorable thing for Rich to be doing," Brennan said. "A bus driver is responsible for the lives of 50 to 60 children at once, and [the children] depend on him to get them where they need to be."
Koeper finds his job very satisfying and he is growing fonder of it every day.
"When it's really early in the morning and everything's dark outside, it's hard to tell where you are," Koeper said. "Everything is so peaceful - I just love it. After the bus is parked, I get to go out and start my day out with coffee and talking to friends."
In 1965, there were two separate professional leagues - the NFL and AFL - and teams from both leagues drafted Koeper, specifically the NFL's Packers the AFL's Oakland Raiders.
"Though the thought of living right across the bay from my old home in San Francisco was appealing, I chose Green Bay. The NFL just seemed to be a more logical league to sign with because of its long history," Koeper said.
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Bobbye Koeper
posted 5/22/09 @ 12:32 PM PST
Great article on Rich. Thanks Patrick for taking the time with Rich and writing this lovely article. He will appreciate this very much. Rich is a great guy. (Continued…)
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