NEW ULM – Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s Jim Buboltz has worn many hats for school.

He was a head football coach for 22 years, as well as Dean of Students at MVL for 20 years.

And for three seasons, Buboltz has worn the baseball head coach hat.

But now, with the Chargers baseball playoffs, Buboltz will take off the baseball cap and take on one of Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School’s biggest projects.

“I will be taking on the new role of Director of Mission Advancement here at MVL starting July 1,” said Buboltz.

“But I will still be head football coach and dean of students next year. I will be taking a one-year break from teaching at MVL.

Buboltz said his new position as director of mission advancement initially begins with fundraising.

“We hope to improve our school, add to our school in science and update our science classrooms, then turn our current gym into a performing arts center, and then add a new field,” he said. “There are four rooms in the project with a new entry way, the country house, the science classroom and the performing arts centre.

“The new pavilion is the largest room, but for us the science classroom must certainly be the most important room in this regard – the education of our students must come first. They need that space right now because we have such an interest in the engineering field with our students in school right now with things like robotics and other phases of science that are really taking momentum.

Buboltz said the proposed expansion at MVL would mean “branching north from where we made the addition in 2005, then connecting it west to where the baseball and softball driving ranges are.”

Buboltz said there is a compound design of a proposed new court that would consist of three full-size basketball courts.

“We can then have the availability for our children to practice early so that there are no late practices so that they can all be home at a decent hour, especially with some of our pupils covering the distances they cover.

“There are a lot of great courts in our area like St. Peter and like New Ulm where there is the opportunity to play double varsity activities at school. There are a lot of great possibilities when we have that space.

Buboltz can’t wait to get started.

“I look forward to working with our campaign committees and bringing this group together and seeing if we can leave a legacy for the next 40 school years at MVL.”

Buboltz said enrollment at MVL has grown steadily in recent years.

Buboltz said the proposal goes to a vote on June 12. If passed, the campaign will be relaunched and offers will be collected.