Q &
A
In
with Norwin Athletic Department
this special feature, we introduce you to the people who make the Norwin Athletic Department a success. They include Mr. Brandon Rapp, Director of Athletics and Student Activities; Mr. Andy Phipps, Assistant Athletic Director and Norwin Middle School Teacher; and Mrs. Amy Kerr, Athletic Secretary.
The Norwin Athletic Department. From left to right: Mr. Andy Phipps, Assistant Athletic Director and Norwin Middle School Teacher; Mrs. Amy Kerr, Athletic Secretary; and Mr. Brandon Rapp, Director of Athletics and Student Activities
Q: How far back does Norwin athletics go, and what are some of the proudest moments in Norwin athletics history?
Q: The Norwin Athletic Department has a lot to celebrate, with many successful teams and individuals. For starters, how many teams are under the umbrella of the Norwin athletic department, and how many student-athletes are involved in those teams?
A: The modern era of“ Norwin” began with the merger of Irwin and North Huntingdon schools in 1958, but the athletic tradition was founded long before that. The 39 WPIAL and 22 PIAA team championships, multiple individual successes, the creation of the Norwin Athletic Hall of Fame, and the community passion are just some of the areas that have helped to mold and develop our # NorwinPride.
Q: Within the past few years, what have been some major accomplishments of the Athletic Department? orwin
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
A: Currently, Norwin offers 24 athletic programs comprised of 65 total teams. In addition, four athletic club programs and are offered that encompass a total of seven teams. Lastly, from year to year we have student-athletes who compete as individual representatives of Norwin in programs not currently offered by the district. In all, approximately 900 studentathletes participate yearly in the aforementioned programs / teams.
Q: How many coaches, assistant coaches, and other employees are involved in the department’ s activities? How about parent and community volunteers – is there any way to quantify their participation?
A: In addition to the Director of Athletics, Assistant Athletic Director, and Athletic Secretary, the athletic department employs 96 coaches and has an additional 50 or so individuals who volunteer their time to coach our student-athletes. In addition, the department staffs two full-time certified athletic trainers and one part-time position within the sports medicine field and an average of 100 individuals who work in event management. Not only does it take a dedicated group of coaches and staff to operate a successful department, but it takes a community’ s support as well. We are very fortunate to have an unquantifiable and dedicated group of parents and community members who are active in our booster and support organizations who assist our programs.
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A: We have been very fortunate over the past five years to experience a tremendous amount of success achieved by our programs and student-athletes. Teams have won 22 section, five WPIAL, and one PIAA championship( along with three other championship contest appearances). Individuals have performed at a high level as well, including six WPIAL and four PIAA championships. As a department, we continue to work to improve the opportunities for our students. We have developed an athletic website( www. norwinathletics. org) to better promote our student accomplishments, completed major facility projects( i. e. installation of new lighting in gymnasiums, artificial turf baseball field, etc.) to improve the overall quality of buildings and grounds, and provided an athletic foundation that has propelled more than 100 studentathletes to continue their academic and athletic careers at the intercollegiate level.
Q: How have athletics changed over the years? What has changed, and what has remained the same?
A: In recent years, we have seen a number of changes occur in all facets of interscholastic athletics. There has been an increase in sports medicine awareness, specifically related to concussions and sudden cardiac arrest. The landscape of local high school athletics has changed as well. The state of Pennsylvania( PIAA) recently changed the model by which teams are classified. The old model of four classifications was expanded to six; resulting in a shift in schools that Norwin competes against.