$100,000 donation brings turf field of dreams closer to reality

Oak Hills nears fundraising goal for synthetic turf football field

BRIDGETOWN - John Maher, a 1972 graduate of Oak Hills High School, now living in Brentwood, TN, has donated $100,000 to the Oak Hills Athletic Boosters toward the funding of the new synthetic turf football field. The donation came with naming rights for the field, which will be the Maher/Rutenschroer Field to honor Maher’s parents, Al and Mary Jo of Delhi, and long-time Oak Hills Hall of Fame football coach, Wil Rutenschroer.

Al and Mary Jo Maher, parents of seven and grandparents of 21, were always supportive of their children and appreciative of the staff and coaches at Oak Hills High School.

Coach Rutenschroer’s ninth grade health class left John with indelible impressions that would positively impact his future. John says being in Coach Rutenschroer’s class was a “life-altering experience.” Up to that point, it was doubtful that he would have finished high school. Coach Rutenschroer made a strong case to stay in school. John has vivid memories of specific graphics which Coach Rutenschroer used to show the correlation between years in school and earning power over a lifetime. He stressed setting short and long range goals and lifetime fitness.

“Coach Rutenschroer was organized, authoritarian, meticulous, and at times misunderstood. He was not what one would call a player’s coach in today’s vernacular.,” John said. “For some, the value of the lessons he was teaching would not become apparent for years to come. He used his time, and that of others, efficiently and effectively in the classroom and on the gridiron.

John received the football MVP award his senior year on an Oak Hills Football team that included 10 athletes who went on to play in college. The group included Oak Hills Hall of Famers Fred Rayhle, Jim Schnur, and current Oak Hills House Principal Ken Hauck.

John was the first in his family to graduate from high school. His three sisters and three brothers followed suit, graduating between 1972 and 1981. John’s brothers, Rick (1976), Tony (1978), and Tracy (1979), also played football for Coach Rutenschroer. All four boys played in the East-West All-Star Game. Tracy was also named Oak Hills MVP his senior year.

John attended Middle Tennessee State University on a football scholarship. He received a B.S. in 1976 and Masters in 1979. Following in the footsteps of Coach Rutenschroer, John taught and coached for 10 years in the public school system before starting a home-building company. He still considers himself and likes to be thought of as a teacher.

He built his first house in 1985 with no employees. His business has steadily grown to building over 200 houses a year, developing his own subdivisions, and employing 60 people.

John Maher Builders, Inc. has built more than 1,500 homes in the middle Tennessee area. For four consecutive years, the company was named favorite builder by readers of the Review Appeal in Williamson County, TN, the10th wealthiest county in America. It was also recently named the 27 th fastest growing homebuilding company in the U.S. by Builder Magazine.

For two straight years John was named a finalist for the “Shining Apple” award presented by the Williamson County Board of Education for outstanding involvement in the schools. The Nashville Business Journal listed John among Williamson County’s 25 most influential people of 2005.

John takes pride in his accomplishments, but is quick to give credit to his parents and Coach Rutenschroer, along with others who have mentored him along the way. His donation to the Oak Hills Athletic Boosters is a reflection of his gratitude to those who have positively influenced his life.

For additional information Contact: Jan Wilking, Oak Hills High School Athletic Director, 467-7106