Steve Pociask graduated from Lemont High School in Illinois in 1971. He attended Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota, from 1971-1975 playing basketball for the Trojans all four years. After graduating from DSU, Pociask signed a contract at Hanson Schools where he taught science for 40 years and coached for 37 years. He retired in 2015 spending his entire career at Hanson. Pociask’s coaching duties included head boys basketball, head boys and girls track, head boys and girls cross country, junior high boys and girls track, junior high girls basketball, high school and junior high football, summer baseball and athletic director.
Pociask was named to the Lemont High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009 and named The South Dakota Biology Teacher of the Year in 2001.
Pociask is married to his wife (and former Hanson teacher) Jill for 45 years. They have three children, Chris, Jon and Katie. They have eight grandchildren and love spending time with their children, grandchildren and friends. Pociask’s also love spending time at Lake Hanson, Siesta Key, Florida, and following the Hanson Beavers.
Inspiration to go into the teaching and coaching fields were high school science teacher Marie Glass, high school basketball coach Jon Jones and high school football coach Bob Voss. Inspiration also came from his family and all the faculty, administrators and coaches Pociask has had the pleasure of working with throughout his tenure at Hanson.