Upper Lake

joy it (now as seniors),” Figg said.

Both Figg and PivniskaPetrie said the new weight room wouldn't have happened without the guidance and direction of Upper Lake High School District Superintendent Dr. Giovanni Annous.

“He was hands on from start to finish with this project,” Pivniska-Petrie said.

The facility has opened to rave reviews from those who it most benefits, the Upper Lake student body, according to Figg.

“It has been amazingly positive,” Figg said of student reaction. “It's an exciting energy.”

Added Pivniska-Petrie, “They're proud.”

Many of the little touches, such as the UL logo on the weight room floor and Cougar paw prints, were recommended by the students and incorporated into the overall design.

“They were nice little touches that were important to the kids,” PivniskaPetrie said.

Drawing point

The new facility will definitely be a drawing point for a new football coach as the Cougars move to the North Central League I in football and all other sports, once again joining Lake County teams Clear Lake, Kelseyville, Lower Lake and Middletown, as well as outof-county schools Fort Bragg, Willits, Cloverdale and St. Helena.

Upper Lake was a member of the NCL I throughout much of the 1980s, the 1990s and early 2000s before moving down into the NCL II. The school also switched to eight-man football in 2015 after struggling to field 11man teams for a number of years. However, with the introduction of the Northshore Youth Club in 2019, which reinvigorated youth football in the area, Upper Lake High School now has a reliable feeder system to help out in the coming years.

Moving back to 11-man football means supporting not just one team, but separate varsity and junior varsity squads.

With the decision by head coach Vince Moran to step down following the 2022 season, the Cougars are in the market for a new coach and have opened the job, with an accompanying full-time teaching position as part of the package.

“We're looking for someone who is going to fit into our community,” PivniskaPetrie said. “He'll have great staff to work with, support of the faculty, and a beautiful new weight room.”

Added Figg, “He'll have a young group of athletes to work with. We're looking for someone with spirit and drive who will make the difference.”

Re-acclimating to the challenges of playing bigger NCL I schools won't be easy and success isn't likely to come overnight, according to Figg, so patience is another requirement for the job.

“It's going to be a long haul with all the changes going on right now.”

Pivniska-Petrie said students and staff will be involved in the final decision.

“It's like shopping for a new car, you're going to take your time looking for a great fit,” Figg said.

Moran, who has had a successful run of eight-man teams at Upper Lake, said the time was right to take a break after being involved in coaching at one level or another the past 15 years.

“I need to step back and focus on some other things right now,” Moran said. “Football isn't just three months out of the season. It's a major time commitment. It's a tough decision for me and I feel bad about it, but I'd like to come back in a year or two and help out in some way. Right now I just need to take a break.”

NCL I landscape

Why move back to the NCL I after spending a number of years in NCL II?

“It's where we see our program going,” Figg said.

Added Pivniska-Petrie, “Travel is a challenge for our parents who want to see their kids play and now we'll have more games closer to home.”

Reliability is another benefit because many of the eight-man football programs the Cougars have played in past years have become notoriously unreliable, folding their teams during the season or before the season even begins and leaving gaping holes in Upper Lake's schedule. Many NCL II schools also don't field JV teams in others sports, which won't happen in the NCL I.

“Our relationship with NCL II schools has been strong and respectful,” Figg said. “It's just a move we needed to make and we look forward with working with the NCL I schools again.”

Award

Figg has been urging the Coastal Mountain Conference, which includes all Lake County schools as well as other schools that are members of the North Central League I, II, III and IV, to honor an athletic director for a number of years, so it seemed only fitting that when the award was finally established, beginning with the 2021-22 season, that Figg should be the recipient.

Pivniska-Petrie said she's not surprised her AD is the first one to receive it.

“What Brian has done as our AD has been amazing,” she said. “He takes things off of the coaches' plates so that they can concentrate on coaching and not all of the other stuff that can get in the way of that.”

Figg said he couldn't have won the award without the support of many, named his wife Mandy and their twins, both 2 ½.

“She has allowed me to do this and supported me through it all,” Figg said. “This job takes a lot of time and is demanding.”

Figg said the support of principal Pivniska-Petrie, superintendent Annous and school district chief business officer Michael Kauble has been non-stop and incredibly beneficial.

“Without their guidance I couldn't have done it,” he said. “The teamwork and collaboration I have with Annie is amazing. She made me do some things that were all for the better even when I wasn't sure about them.

“They've taught me a lot, made me a better teacher and athletic director. Their wisdom has trickled down,” Figg added.

Figg said his award also wouldn't been possible without the support of ULHS staff, coaches, the community and the school's athletes. He also credited the experience he gained from working with his CMC/NCL II colleagues down through the years as well as those involved with the running of the Coastal Mountain Officials Association.