About the Scholarship
The Todd Ihrcke Memorial Scholarship is being established in honor of Todd Ihrcke's significant contributions to the Westby Area School District and the lasting relationships he built as a teacher, colleague, administrator, mentor, coach, and friend.
Through a fundraising campaign launched in 2025, Todd's friends and family hope to memorialize Todd's legacy by providing a scholarship to future Westby graduates.
Through a fundraising campaign launched in 2025, Todd's friends and family hope to memorialize Todd's legacy by providing a scholarship to future Westby graduates.
Todd Ihrcke: Once a teacher, always a teacher.
Todd Ihrcke was born and raised in Waukesha, WI. As a student at Waukesha North High School, he competed in golf, volleyball, and basketball, graduating in 1980. Todd loved spending time with friends, all sports, and listening to Kansas, Journey, Chicago or Rush.
In 1985, Todd came to Westby as a new graduate from UW-La Crosse, hired to teach first grade. It didn’t take long for him to forge strong connections and become an integral part of the Westby Area School District. Over the years, Todd wore many hats—teacher, coach, Dean of Students/Athletic Director, High School Principal, and District Administrator. No matter his role, his focus was always on the students.
Soon after being hired, Todd’s love of volleyball led him to Ann Kurth, a fierce advocate for girls' athletics in Westby. Ann took Todd under her wing, and before long, he became the volleyball coach. This marked the beginning of a deep and lasting friendship that continued until Ann’s passing just 18 months before Todd’s. He always held a special place in his heart for Ann.
Todd thrived as a coach. It allowed him to connect with students in a meaningful way, and he soon joined the coaching staff for girls’ basketball and softball in addition to volleyball. Coaching provided the perfect blend of his passion for sports and his gift of connecting with kids. It wasn’t long before Todd became a Norsemen, and Westby became home.
In 1985, Todd came to Westby as a new graduate from UW-La Crosse, hired to teach first grade. It didn’t take long for him to forge strong connections and become an integral part of the Westby Area School District. Over the years, Todd wore many hats—teacher, coach, Dean of Students/Athletic Director, High School Principal, and District Administrator. No matter his role, his focus was always on the students.
Soon after being hired, Todd’s love of volleyball led him to Ann Kurth, a fierce advocate for girls' athletics in Westby. Ann took Todd under her wing, and before long, he became the volleyball coach. This marked the beginning of a deep and lasting friendship that continued until Ann’s passing just 18 months before Todd’s. He always held a special place in his heart for Ann.
Todd thrived as a coach. It allowed him to connect with students in a meaningful way, and he soon joined the coaching staff for girls’ basketball and softball in addition to volleyball. Coaching provided the perfect blend of his passion for sports and his gift of connecting with kids. It wasn’t long before Todd became a Norsemen, and Westby became home.
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"Todd and I coached softball together for many years, learning as we went. The results are forever displayed on the fieldhouse wall—conference, regional, and sectional championships, along with trips to the state tournament. Todd had a knack for identifying talent early, even if it was a freshmen. For him, it was always students first, sport second. Students were drawn to Todd; he was able to offer constructive criticism in a way that helped them grow. There was never a shortage of conversation, camaraderie, or laughter.
Todd was also an exceptional teacher—we chose him for all three of our kids. He poured his heart into everything he did, and it showed. He formed lasting relationships with both students and athletes. Beyond school, we hunted and fished together. It was never about the limit or the catch—it was about the time spent together." -Dennis Smalley |
Todd met his wife, Nancy (Aarness), through a mutual friend, Garland McGarvey. They married in 1987, and Todd’s passions quickly became part of their family life. As their sons—Brandon, Tyler, and Kaleb—were born, they essentially grew up in school, spending countless hours in the gym or attending anything Todd was involved with. As they became athletes, Todd was their first coach, leading them in T-ball, club basketball, youth baseball and football. The Ihrcke backyard was home to the whiffle ball field, a football field or a basketball court that Todd created, depending on the season. The kitchen fed countless friends that became family.
Todd was always a teacher. No matter the role he held—inside or outside the district—his heart remained in education. He had a rare gift for recognizing a need and stepping in to make a difference. After being diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2018, Todd wanted to finish his career where it had begun, returning to the Westby Area School District as Athletic Director. He also rejoined the coaching staff for volleyball and girls' basketball, mentoring his nephew, Alex Gluch. In the last three years of his life, he took great pride in coaching his nieces, Maycee Olson and Erin Gluch.
Todd was always a teacher. No matter the role he held—inside or outside the district—his heart remained in education. He had a rare gift for recognizing a need and stepping in to make a difference. After being diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2018, Todd wanted to finish his career where it had begun, returning to the Westby Area School District as Athletic Director. He also rejoined the coaching staff for volleyball and girls' basketball, mentoring his nephew, Alex Gluch. In the last three years of his life, he took great pride in coaching his nieces, Maycee Olson and Erin Gluch.
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"I had the pleasure of working with Todd for over 25 years. In that time, I saw him excel in every role he took on. As a classroom teacher, he taught with compassion, high expectations, and humor. His students respected him and always strived to do their best. He had a soft spot for those who struggled, whether academically or emotionally, and he emerged as a leader among his peers. As an administrator and coach, he led with the same warmth and dedication. I was always most impressed by Todd’s unwavering support for his colleagues. He treated everyone with professionalism and respect, regardless of their position. He was an excellent communicator, often taking the time to send personal notes of appreciation and encouragement. More than anything, Todd was a dear friend and mentor."
-Cathy Cravens |
Todd loved Westby and the Westby Area School District. He embraced the tight-knit community and he loved being close to the woods and the water. Despite not growing up here, he knew everyone—their connections, their stories, the back roads.
Today, Todd and Nancy’s boys are raising children of their own, who now run around in Norsemen apparel, swinging bats, dribbling basketballs, and gripping golf clubs. Todd would have cherished every moment watching Peyton, Liam, Deacon, and Rylee grow up to be Westby Norsemen.
The connections Todd built—with colleagues, students, athletes, parents, and community members—are everlasting.
Once a teacher, always a teacher.
Today, Todd and Nancy’s boys are raising children of their own, who now run around in Norsemen apparel, swinging bats, dribbling basketballs, and gripping golf clubs. Todd would have cherished every moment watching Peyton, Liam, Deacon, and Rylee grow up to be Westby Norsemen.
The connections Todd built—with colleagues, students, athletes, parents, and community members—are everlasting.
Once a teacher, always a teacher.