Farewell to Sabers coaching legend, Michael Routh

Each June we say goodbye to teachers who are leaving the school. Sometimes these departing teachers are coaches. Sometimes one of the departing coaches is a Sabers legend. This is one of those times: Mr. Michael Routh, SOIS PE teacher, high school boys basketball coach, middle school boys volleyball coach - and certified Sabers teaching and coaching legend - leaves SOIS after six years to move to a new teaching job at Wellington College in Hangzhou, China.

Coach Routh came to SOIS in August 2012, originally from Australia and after teaching stints in Egypt and Singapore. He stayed here at SOIS longer than any of his previous schools, testament to how much he has loved SOIS and Osaka, and how much the school community has loved him.

Coach Routh is passionate about coaching. He is continually engaged in self-study, forever reading and talking about drills and technique and strategy. He is selfless with his time, coaching on Saturdays and working out 1-on-1 with players before school. His coaching expertise has led to an AISA basketball championship, a WJAA basketball championship, 5 middle school volleyball championships, and, more important, dozens and dozens of Sabers student-athletes who grew as young men and young women and are better off for having had Coach Routh as an influential person in their lives.

Coach Routh, Sabers legend, will be missed at SOIS. The entire SOIS community wishes him all the best in the future.

Coach Michael Routh (back row, right) with the SOIS PE department, June 2018.