Principals, friends retire together

Long before the blow-out retirement parties, before they were recognized as icons of Nevada's education, Glen Adair and Moyal Kump were competing football coaches.

Adair remembers preparing his Incline Highlanders to meet Kump's Elko Indians.

"He was great and we were decent," Adair said. "He had quite a program going. We just tried to build our players' confidence to play at a higher level.

"We played some hellaciously close games."

The game they still talk about was for the state championship in 1980. According to legend, it started at 1 p.m. and by dark they were still playing. Kump said it went into two or three overtimes. Adair said it was more like five.

"He finally beat me on a fumble recovery that went about 80 or 90 yards," Adair said. "By the time we were done, we were pretty much playing in the dark and there was no grass left.

"It was a really hard-fought battle. But in the end, they were the state champs and we were the bridesmaids."

It was after that game Adair told Kump he was either going to find a way to beat him or join him.

In Kump's version of the story, Adair's choice of words was a little more profane.

By 1986, Adair had gone to Elko High School as principal. Under his leadership, Kump was promoted to athletic director, then vice principal.

"People used to get us confused all the time," Kump said. "They said we looked alike, but I don't think we do. I don't know how many times I was called Mr. Adair."

When Adair left to take over as principal of Carson High School in 1992, Kump replaced him as principal of Elko High School.

For 12 years, they have anchored either side of the state, but they will both retire at the end of this school year. Both are 61 years old.

At a retirement party for Kump in Elko on Saturday, Adair said the two shared a common philosophy:

"Treat your teachers good. Treat your students good," he said. "Don't let anybody screw with you and don't let anybody beat you at home."

He concluded, "It's been my pleasure to know you."

Although the two have had some parallels in their careers, they also have many differences.

Adair was born in Southern California and raised by alcoholic parents. He credits teachers, coaches and counselors for giving him a chance to succeed.

Kump was born and raised in the Elko area. After going to college in Idaho, he taught five years in Idaho and Oregon before returning to Elko High School in 1972.

Since then he has worked as a teacher, coach, athletic director, vice principal, coach and even groundskeeper for the school.

Kump described what is perhaps the biggest difference in the two of them.

"Glen never missed a meeting and he was on every committee," he said. "When I became principal, I asked to never be on a committee."

Adair's strong leadership style and ability to delegate has earned him respect among the teachers at Carson High School.

"He wasn't afraid to let you explore, but he was also there with criticism to make it better," said culinary arts teacher Penny Reynolds. "Constantly, there was support and encouragement. He's phenomenal."

And Kump's friendly, down-to-earth attitude has done the same for him at Elko High School.

"He was first and foremost a human being," said English teacher Robert McGinty. "He treated his staff and students as human beings, not as statistics or test scores. He really celebrated the accomplishments of teachers and students both."

Adair, who went into hip-replacement surgery on Wednesday, is not sure what his next business endeavor will be after retirement.

Kump has already started a lawn-care business, $25 for general customers, less for a family. And he said he doesn't plan on disappearing.

"I'll still be coaching from the stands a little," he said. "I still plan on sneaking over and stealing a hamburger or two."

Contact Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1272.