Canandaigua names new athletic director: What you need to know
Since 1979, Canandaigua Academy has had two athletic directors.
On Monday, a new AD takes the helm at Canandaigua and makes a bit of history in the process.
Caroline Chapman, a 2001 graduate of Geneva High and 2005 graduate of William Smith College, was announced as the district’s new AD. She takes over for Jim Simmons, who is retiring in September after 21 years.
“I’m excited,” said Chapman, whose official title will be Director of Athletics and Communications. “Canandaigua has such a strong tradition of excellence in athletics. There is such great support from the district and the community, this is the perfect place to be an athletic director.”
Chapman has been with the district since 2005 when she was a social studies teacher. She coached in various capacities for soccer, basketball and track and field before shifting into administrative roles, including the last five as the district’s Director of Communications.
A member of the Geneva High Sports Hall of Fame who won 11 varsity letters with the Panthers, Chapman went on to play soccer at William Smith College in Geneva where she helped the Herons reach the 2002 NCAA Division III semifinals.
She grew up around athletics in Geneva as her father, Carl Wenzel was the longtime boys basketball coach at Geneva and her mother, Ann Wenzel, was a physical education teacher at Waterloo.
Her background has a history teacher helps her appreciate the footsteps she’s following at Canandaigua. Yes, there was Simmons and Mike Foster (1979-2001) before her, but there was also Betty LaBarge, Arlene DeVinney and Kim Condon, former CA coaches who helped pave the way for girls sports.
“ I never felt I couldn’t do anything as a woman in sports because of the women who came before me,” she said. “People like that set the ground work … I’m excited to be the first female AD. I’m excited about helping everyone experience the opportunity of sports at all ability levels.”
Chapman said her focus as AD will be connecting with students and doing what she can to keep the focus proper for coaches and athletes in the district so they don’t have to worry about schedules, transportation, uniforms or any other changes.
“My job is to keep the system in a place where the coaches can coach and the athletes can play their sports,” she said. “Winning is important because it can show kids that hard work pays off. But it’s also important important to think about the overall experience for student-athletes.”
Chapman begins her new role officially on Monday and will be part of a mentorship period with Simmons to ensure the smooth transition.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Caroline Chapman named new AD at Canandaigua: What you need to know
