Paul Setser
This is a story that will make you want to know Paul Setser, if you don’t already. His skills in sports helped him get an education and he set an example for others to follow in his footsteps. His caring personality showed through in everything he did in life. He saw good in all the players he coached, even the mischievous ones. He led by example, not only to the students at Johnson Central, but to the teachers and staff as well.
Setser played baseball and basketball at Auxier High School, both for coach Jack “Frost” Wells. He graduated from high school in 1957.
Paul Setser was the oldest of three brothers, and athletics would help all three through college. His youngest brother Freddie played basketball at Ole Miss, and his middle brother Roger played basketball at Pikeville College.
An article found on Pikeville College’s website tells the story of the economically challenged Paul Setser, who had been recommended to coach John Renfro by former high school classmates. He was given a tryout but found there was only one scholarship available and the coach wanted to split it with another needy student. Setser explained to the coach that unless he had a full scholarship there was no way he could attend college. The coach was so impressed by the workout he agreed to give Setser a full ride.
Setser also played baseball for the Bears. He would pitch one game and catch the next.
In basketball Setser says he got better with work. He started the last three games of his freshman season, and every game thereafter. As a sophomore he was hurt in a game that would determine who was to advance to the NAIA finals in Kansas City. He played anyway and scored 26 points.
He was good enough at baseball to be signed by the Cincinnati Reds, but they wanted to send him to Kansas City or New York. No way.
After graduating from Pikeville College in 1961, Setser took a job as a grade school basketball coach at Oil Springs in Johnson County. He held that position until 1969, when he was asked to be “head teacher,” because he needed a Master’s Degree to be principal. He completed his Master’s Degree at Morehead, driving some nights and still working.
After that strenuous period he became principal at Porter Elementary, where he could be seen some evenings after hours with a rake, smoothing the dirt to make a lawn at the new school. That was Paul Setser. He always worked hard and did not mind challenges. He says if one does anything they should be the best at it that they can be. No half effort accepted.
A few years after Johnson Central opened he became its principal. His hard work did not go unnoticed. He was principal from 1973 until 1991. His tireless work kept the school looking sharp and his students in line. The baseball field was a showcase unlike anything up and down the Big Sandy and it was a common sight to see him at the school most weekends.
A standout in basketball and baseball, Setser was among the first group inducted into the University of Pikeville’s Athletics Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Johnson Central High School Hall of Fame and a Kentucky Colonel.
The accolades never finished coming for Paul. In November 2013 he was honored for his dedication when the newly renovated Johnson Central Golden Eagles gymnasium was renamed the Paul R. Setser Eagle Fieldhouse. In October 2014 Paul Setser was also inducted into the Distinguished Educators Hall of Fame at UPike.
