Colleges

Wildcats considering trio

By FRANK PASTOR
Published June 7, 2005

WESLEY CHAPEL - Baseball coach Erik Shafer, former baseball coach Steve Mumaw and Hillsborough Community College men's basketball assistant Ahmy Arca are the finalists for Wesley Chapel's athletic director's job.

The position has been vacant since January, when Annie McGhee resigned to become an assistant principal at Mitchell.

A field of six applicants was reduced to the three finalists after a preliminary round of interviews, principal Andy Frelick said. A second round of interviews will be held when assistant principal Robyn Marquith returns from vacation in about two weeks.

The search committee seeks someone with a long-term plan and knowledge of the Florida High School Athletic Association rules and regulations, Frelick said. The committee prefers someone not involved with a major sport because of the time commitment involved and to avoid the appearance that one sport is valued more than another.

Shafer and Arca work in Wesley Chapel's dropout prevention program. Mumaw works in the DCT program, a program that teaches students basic employment skills.

McGhee was hired as a physical education coach who handled volleyball, soccer and track when Wesley Chapel opened in 1999 and was promoted to athletic director two years later.

Before she left, she laid the groundwork for the spring season, including schedules and district contracts. Frelick and Marquith, an athletic coordinator at Dunedin for 13 years who replaced Jennifer Crosby in January, took care of any work that remained.

One of the new athletic director's first orders of business will be finding girls golf and tennis coaches. McGhee coached golf last season. Tennis coach Mark Kopp accepted a job as a social studies teacher in Kentucky.

A few positions have been filled. Marguerite Porter moves from swimming to boys cross country, allowing Don Howard to concentrate on girls cross country after coaching both squads last season.

Lisa Whidden, who competed in the 500- and 1,000-yard freestyle at Florida State, takes over the swim team.

Athletic directors in Pasco County were paid a supplement of $4,367 during the 2004-05 school year.

[Last modified June 7, 2005, 02:15:48]