Bay athletic director accepts position at Fairview
By Zachary Dzurick
Sports
Published Aug. 9, 2006

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After budget cutbacks of teaching positions decimated the coaching ranks of their athletic teams, Fairview High School has moved towards stability by hiring Kevin Liptrap as athletic director and assistant principal. Liptrap had previously spent the last eight years as athletic director at Westshore Conference rival Bay High School.

"Kevin has numerous years of experience and was very successful at Bay and before that in Virginia," Fairview Superintendent Brion Deitsch said. "He also has a strong desire to get involved in school administration and as a former coach, athletically Kevin and I share common views. "

Liptrap is replacing former athletic director Tom Faska, whose position was eliminated by the budget cuts and former assistant principal Larry Keller, who resigned for another position outside the district. Deitsch is confident that Liptrap will do well in both positions.

"The job will be tough as it is a full plate," Dietsch said. "With school budgets the way they are, educators need to do more with less. One of the things I like about Kevin is his work ethic."

Bay Village Superintendent Clint Keener said the district wishes Liptrap well.

"He's done a good job for us and leaves us in a good position with all the work he's done," Keener said. "We know that one of his goals has always been to be a building administrator. With this move to Fairview Park he will be able to do that, so we're glad to see him be able to attain something he's always wanted."

Keener said since the school year is close to starting, he does not expect the district to fill the position right away.

"He's left things in a good way so we'll probably have an interim director, and we're fortunate to have a good staff who can keep things moving smoothly," Keener said. "Everybody is probably locked up for now so we'll look at filling the position later when we can have a more thorough search."

Liptrap spent his last day at Bay on Monday and began work yesterday at Fairview.

“The Bay coaches and athletes have been fantastic,” Liptrap said. “The teachers, secretaries, custodians, maintainence workers and lunch ladies have all been wonderful. I think the program has improved over the last eight years and with such great coaches it should continue to improve. I look forward to rebuilding the Fairview athletic programs with the many new coaches. I am excited about the administration at Fairview and look forward to being a part of the Gemini Project. I expect great things at Fairview over the next few years.”

Liptrap is the second person Bay has lost to a rival school this summer. Former Bay swimming coach Elizabeth Leonard accepted an elementary teaching physical education position with the Rocky River schools. Leonard will be the new head swim coach for the Pirates and an assistant varsity volleyball coach.

"I am excited to start at River," Leonard said. "I have always wanted to work with little kids and this teaching position allows it. I am also excited about being the head coach since Rocky River has such a great program."