After working with elementary and middle school students for 11 years at Sacred Heart Schools, new Director of Athletics Matt Manley wanted a change.
“One of the most fun things that I did is just be able to watch the kids who graduate move and go on to play high school sports,” he said. “I got to watch that a little bit, but I lost them at eighth grade and there’s so many more fun things that happen.”
As Mr. Manley settles into his position, he looks forward to getting to know U-High traditions and hopes to improve school spirit for Lab athletics.
“Every school’s got its own vibe, every school’s got its own traditions and the way they do things. I’m really excited now that I’ve been here all summer, but now it’s like students are coming back and we’ve got sports going on. That’s when it gets fun.”
Mr. Manley said his passion for basketball and coaching was fueled by his father, a physical education teacher, who coached basketball for 50 years.
“I came to love it: a love of coaching and a love of a sport that led to a love of coaching and a love of working with student athletes and kids,” he said.
Mr. Manley said one of his primary goals is to bring more attention to the athletics department and student athletes.
“Our students are doing so many cool things,” he said. “They’re winning, they’re performing in really amazing ways, they’re representing us in really, really successful ways and I just want to make sure that the parents outside of that sport see that, the teachers see that and then we can celebrate.”
In his first year as the athletics director, Mr. Manley hopes to immerse himself into the culture of the Lab community.
