The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Former longtime teacher is new athletic director
OLD SAYBROOK — After an extensive interview process, Old Saybrook Public Schools has chosen Brendan Saunders is the district’s new athletic director.
Saunders is the health and physical education representative on the district’s instructional leadership team, as well as a teacher in Old Saybrook since 2002. Prior to that, he was a Ram himself, and has lived in town his entire life, according to a press release.
“I played football, baseball and indoor track here. I love Old Saybrook, and this community has been good to me. This job is an opportunity for me to give back to my town, and move our athletics and extracurriculars forward for the betterment of our students and our community,” he said in a prepared statement.
Saunders talked about his desire to use athletics and extra-curricular activities as a bridge for students as they transition from grade to grade and school to school. “I want our high school coaches to build relationships with our middle school athletes. This will allow our incoming freshmen to be better prepared for the next level of competition, and give them some vital connections to the high school before the school year even begins,” he said in the release.
The athletic director also discussed his desire to expand upon the district’s goal of 100 percent student participation in sports or
“One advantage that I have is that I was not involved with how things were done before the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, so I don’t have to work to adapt to what was. My new normal will be whatever is needed for our students.” Brendan Saunders, Old Saybrook Public Schools new athletic director.
extra-curricular activities. “I want to reach out to the students who are not yet involved and try to figure out either what would motivate them to join a particular team or determine what their interests are that we are not currently offering.”
“Despite taking on this new role at a logistically challenging time, given the issues created by the current pandemic, Mr. Saunders remains optimistic and feels that this might actually be an opportune time for him to transition,” the school said.
“One advantage that I have is that I was not involved with how things were done before the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, so I don’t have to work to adapt to what was. My new normal will be whatever is needed for our students,” Saunders added.