Hand’s Semple to become Masuk AD

Craig Semple will be the new athletic director at Masuk High School in Monroe beginning this summer. He was officially appointed by the Monroe Board of Education Monday night.

Semple is still the athletic director at Hand High in Madison. He resigned in January effective June 30, which will complete 18 years at the school.

“I have to get to know the coaches and I really want to find out what their needs are, get to know the captains and the athletes and get an idea what thy want their athletic program to look like,” Semple said. “For me, it’s about creating an environment that is positive. I’ll ask them to work hard and make a major commitment to athletics and school. The goal is to create a balance.”

Semple will replace John

DeGennaro, who will complete 17 years as Masuk’s athletic director this year. Masuk principal Steven Swensen said DeGennaro is returning to the classroom as a business teacher.

“John told me early in year (his decision), but it didn’t become official until we posted the position (on March 4),” Swensen said.

Semple and Swensen indicated the position will also include being an instructional leader for both health and wellness and physical education. Semple was the coordinator for both when he was athletic director at New Fairfield from 2002-04 before coming to Hand.

Swensen said Semple was one of six candidates brought in for interviews. They were narrowed down to three finalists and Semple was the “unanimous choice” to succeed DeGennaro.

“Craig brings with him the reputation (for running) one of the best athletic programs in the state and you can see why. He has had an incredible run of excellence and we hope he will bring to our athletic program some of that polish.”

Swensen noted that Semple had already participated in some interviews for coaching vacancies Masuk is looking to fill for the next school year.

“His insight and thoughts he brought to that proces wa on point with someone I would expect with his experience,” Swensen said.

Current Plainville athletic director Chris Farrell is replacing Semple at Hand.

“It is bittersweet. I will miss the coaches, miss the community and most importantly miss the kids,” Semple said about Hand. “But at the same time, I’m really looking forward to working with the Monroe kids.”

The two programs share recent history in athletics, including playing one another during this past regular season in football. In the fall of 2017, Hand defeated Masuk in the Class L state finals for both football and boys soccer.

“John DeGennaro is an excellent athletic director and a quality individual. I have a tremendous amount of respect for John,” Semple said. “I’m going to be in a situation where he will be in the building and be able to introduce me to people to help make my job a little easier and understanding the landscape. I’m excited. … They are doing a lot of right things. I want to continue to do those right things and see where I can add some value.”