The Jackson High School athletic department will have some big shoes to fill this fall and winter.
According to athletic director Jack Fairly, the school is currently looking for head coaches to take over the varsity boys basketball, volleyball and ice hockey programs after the previous coaches have resigned.
“I was a little surprised when Dan (Crowley), our longtime boys basketball coach, decided to step down,” said Fairly. “We had regular conversations over the course of the season and we never really discussed the possibly of him stepping away from basketball.
“He’s always given his best to Jackson High, the basketball program and the community at large, but he just felt like he needed to take time away from the game and spend more time with his family. He felt like he would be shortchanging the kids if he continued coaching and not been 100 percent invested in the process.”
Sara Natoli also stepped down from her role as the Vikings’ volleyball head coach, as she prepares to take on a new challenge in her life.
“Sara knew after the conclusion of last season that she would probably have to take some time away from volleyball to focus on her family and her two young children,” said Fairly. “Juggling all those responsibilities would have been extremely difficult.”
Andy Sinkovitz will be leaving behind a hockey program that won 22 games two seasons ago and still has the pieces to be a contender given the right hire.
“Andy has really helped build the hockey program during his tenure at Jackson High,” Fairly said. “He always did an excellent job of bringing kids into the program, teaching them and helping them grow into great players. Like Dan, he’s at an age where he wants to focus more on time with his family, and the time commitment involved with varsity hockey and travel leagues was beginning to be too much.”
Now, Fairly is tasked with finding three quality candidates for the Vikings that will uphold the school’s standards and continue to build on the previous success that the former coaches established.
“Above all else, we want to bring in quality people for these positions,” said Fairly. “We want our coaches to have the kids’ academic futures be the priority above the results on the field of competition. The ideal candidates would have roots in the Jackson community and be involved in making Jackson High a better place.
“If they can bring a positive energy to the role, embrace the community and mold our student-athletes into great young adults, they will have a successful tenure at Jackson High. We’re excited about the direction of all our programs, and I think the next coaches we bring in for basketball, volleyball and hockey will meet and exceed the standards we’ve set here.”
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume’ to Jack Fairly at jack.fairly@jpsk12.org or via fax at 517-768-5950. The school is hoping to proceed to the interviewing process by the end of the month.