Winlock hires new Athletics Director for Middle/High School

Ben Suhrbier, a recently-hired social studies and history teacher for Winlock Middle School, was confirmed last Wednesday as the new athletics director for the middle and high school programs after the district went two years splitting the role between the principals of each school.

The Winlock School Board has hired a new athletics director (AD) for their middle and high school programs as part of efforts to improve the experience of athletes within the district.

Approved during the board's Feb. 18 meeting, officials unanimously confirmed recently-hired middle school teacher Ben Suhrbier as the new AD, taking such responsibilities off of High School Principal Brian Maley and Middle School Principal Dennis Tauscher, who had been leading their schools' respective sports programs in the absence of an AD since 2013.

When addressing the board during their meeting, Suhrbier, who has served as head coach of Castle Rock High School's football team for the last four years in addition to teaching at Castle Rock Middle School since 1995, said his vision for Winlock athletics was one of improving the standards placed on coaches and parents, while developing an attitude among residents of support for local athletes throughout their scholastic careers.

"We need to change to a more positive culture here in Winlock, and I feel like I have a stake in that with my own kids going to this school," he said, stating, as a resident within the district, he has the "passion and drive" to improve the program.

He also said he feels athletics and academics should not be treated as separate aspects of a student's education, stating he feels one can help a child succeed in the other.

"Academics and athletics go together," he said. "They drive each other. And if we want kids to stay in our district or come to our district--we have a great academic program...if we can piggy-pack on athletics with that and get that reputation back of Winlock being a well-rounded school, we're going to get enrollment up, too."

He added, by seeking to improve athletics and academics though a hand-in-hand approach, he feels Winlock is "going to be the pride of Lewis County, in both facets."

Superintendent Shannon Criss added she feels it is important Suhrbier will be a member of the teaching staff on top of serving as AD, stating this will give him an opportunity to stay connected with students and get to know them outside of his role as an administrator.

During last month's school board meeting, Criss had informed the board of her intention to fill the AD position in light of the heavy workload already placed on Maley and Tauscher, and said part of the role of a new AD would be to develop a vision statement for athletics and ensure coaches and staff understand and support this vision. She added an overhaul of district athletics has been one of her goals for Winlock since becoming superintendent in 2012, but a number of challenges, including sharp declines in recent enrollment, have taken priority until now.

Suhrbier's role as AD, as well as his teaching position, are expected to begin after the conclusion of the current school year.