PIQUA — There is a familiar face missing from the Piqua sidelines this season.

And for good reason.

Dr James Burkhardt has taken a well-earned retirement from all his medical duties, including serving as a Piqua High School team doctor for the last 39 years.

He will be honored at the Piqua-Troy football game later this season.

And Burkhardt has nothing but positive memories during his time on the Indians sidelines.

“I always tell people, if you can get energized being down there on a Friday night, then there is something wrong,” Burkhardt said. “I loved working an interaction with the kids.”

Burkhardt recalls how he got involved with the Piqua program.

“I came to Piqua in 1986 and Dr. John Gallagher was the team doctor,” Burkhardt said. “I had worked in sports medicine and interned at West Carrollton. I told him if he ever needed someone to help him, just let me know. I started covering games and Dr. Gallagher did it for a couple more years.”

Since that time, Burkhardt has shared the duties, first with Dr. Ron Pohlman and then Dr. Don Luna, who is still working the Piqua sidelines.

One thing that Burkhardt is most pleased about is the progress and change that has been made in treating concussions since he started, making it a much safer environment for football players and athletes in general at all levels.

“The difference is night and day,” Burkhardt said. “We are very cautious now, with strict concussion protocol in the way we handle head injuries.”

And Burkhardt was not just a team doctor, but a Piqua fan as well.

“It was a lot of fun because for the most part, Piqua had really good teams,” Burkhardt said. “There were a few tough years, but not many.”

And he looks at the stability the football program has had.

“There have been two head coaches in 40 years,” Burkhardt said, referring to Steve Magoteaux and Bill Nees. “That’s pretty amazing.”

And he fondly remembers both of Piqua’s state championship game appearances.

The Indians lost in the title game in 2,000.

“I think the field conditions had something to do with that,” Burkhardt said. “I think on a different day and different conditions, we would have won that game. Our speed was negated by the conditions.”

Burkhardt and his wife Cheryl have two sons — Brad and Mike — who both played soccer.

And Brad was the placekicker on the state championship team in 2006.

“I think he had the school record for most extra points in the season for a long time, just because of their success,” Burkhardt said.

And he knew from the start of that season it was going to be something special.

“A lot of teams have good players in several positions,” Burkhardt said. “We had really good players at every position. And the Ohio Player of the Year (Brandon Saine, Mr. Football).”

Burkhardt also enjoyed being on the sidelines for the soccer games.

And he appreciated the respect the entire coaching staffs at Piqua treated him with.

“There wasn’t a single time any coach ever came up to me and said get him taped up and get him back in the game,” Burkhardt said. “There may have been a few parents who wanted to see their kid back out there, but never once did a coach every put any pressure on me to get a player back in the game.”

Piqua athletic director Chip Hare said the stability with the team doctors is equally important.

“In this day and age, to not have one team doctor but two is just invaluable,” Hare said. “I think both Dr. Burkhardt and Dr Luna have been doing this for 40 years. And to have two doctors who are as respected in the community as they are is incredible. Who can you say has been here longer than Bill Nees? Both of those doctors would come in on the weekend and see all our athletes not just football players. They would basically give them a free visit to the doctor’s office and they never asked for a penny.”

That is a program that Burkhardt is really pleased with.

“We started the walk-in program on Sunday’s in the 1980s for injured athletes, not just football players,” Burkhardt said. “So, if an athlete got hurt, we would check them at the stadium on a Sunday. Also to monitor progress for injury recovery and return to play guidance.”

Burkhardt particularly enjoyed listening to Nees’ speak to the players in the locker room.

“Bill (Nees) and Jim (Burkhardt) had a great relationship,” Hare said. “He loved hearing him talk. Jim had a tremendous knowledge of the game. It was almost like another coach on the sideline.”

Burkhardt admits he does miss being on the sidelines.

“You know, last year was a tough year,” Burkhardt said. “I think Piqua is better this year, but all the other teams are too. I think they have a shot at 5-5 or 6-4 if things break right. It is the best seat in the house (on the sidelines). Now, there are some things I am not going to miss about being retired, but I will truly miss the interactions with the players, coaches and training staff — Katie Smith.

“Piqua has been very good to me and I am grateful for the trust that people have shown to me.”

And Burkhardt and the other Piqua team doctors always made sure the Indian athletes always got the best treatment available.

Sports Editor Rob Kiser can be reached at [email protected]