Former Pottstown A.D. Anspach takes over at Pottsgrove

Steve Anspach’s ties to the Pottsgrove area had been pretty solid for a number of years.

They’ve became even tighter since the summer, and figure to solidify to an even greater degree in the near future.

It was revealed over the summer that Anspach, who had been Director of Co-Curricular Activites for the Pottstown School District a number of years, will become the Pottsgrove School District’s athletic director. He’ll take over duties formerly handled by Gary DeRenzo, who has been named Pottsgrove’s Director of Community Relations and CoCurricular Programs.

“I live in the (Pottsgrove) district,” Anspach said. “So when the opportunity arose to work in the district I live in ... it’s neat.”

Anspach, who had overseen Pottstown’s co-curricular activities since April of 2016, was by the Pottsgrove School Board. He was selected from a field of 71 candidates whose applications were reviewed since the position was opened in April.

Those ranks were narrowed first to 10, then three before the

final decision was made. Anspach transitioned into his new post at the end of July, assisting with Pottstown’s own transition in the meantime.

“Pottsgrove has a good tradition,” he said. “We’ll work to increase programming, ultimately providing opportunities for students to be involved.”

Anspach’s past two years at Pottstown were marked by a number of enhancements to the district’s athletic programs and facilities.

A softball team was instituted at the Pottstown Middle School, giving the high school a feeder system. Playing fields along Franklin Street were upgraded, and a new lighting system at Grigg Memorial Field brought nighttime sports

events back to the facility.

Relationships with students/coaches, organizing space and time, communications and fundraising activities were other areas of emphasis.

Additionally, Anspach served as assistant coach on the high-school football and wrestling teams for a number of seasons since 2012.

“I’m leaving here with things pretty good,” he said. “Coaches are in place and working hard.

“I feel fortunate to have been here. The staff, students and administration have been awesome.”

Promotion of studentathletes will be a task Anspach embraces in his new capacity.

“We’ll look at any way we can recognize studentathletes,” he said. “Working with coaches, staff and administration.”

One big change on Pottsgrove High’s athletic landscape has been with its

perenially-successful football team. Rick Pennypacker, who directed the Falcon grid program for almost three decades and has the school’s football field named in his honor, retired from the post at the conclusion of the 2017 season.

Anspach, for his part, doesn’t see the program experiencing any dropoff from its long record of success. Longtime Pennypacker assistant Bill Hawthorne was chosen to be its new head coach.

And so far, the Falcons have hardly missed a beat. Pottsgrove is off to a 6-0 overall start, fresh off Friday night’s 35-28 win over Pope John Paul II right on the heels of last week’s 45-6 win over Pottstown.

“There’s a history of continuity in the program. For (Bill) Hawthorne, it’s exciting. He’s got the opportunity to take over a well-established program, coaching there for a number of

years.”

He also expects the assumption of his new job to run smoothly.

He will be following a veteran athletic administrator in DeRenzo, who has been Pottsgrove’s Director of Student Activities and Athletics since July, 2007. DeRenzo previously served as the Pottstown district’s Director of Student Activities from September, 2001 to July, 2007.

“Gary’s very respected,” Anspach said. “I have big shoes to fill. But I’m excited to work with him. He has a lot of energy, and he puts emphasis on students.”

DeRenzo noted the district will seek to hire a new assistant AD to replace Pennypacker, who is retired.

“We’ll work to get him up to speed,” DeRenzo said of Anspach. “He’s relevant to the kids. Athletics is a piece him which will be familiar.”