Meet Chad Elliott, Newcomerstown High athletic director
NAME – Chad Elliott
POSITION – Athletic director, Newcomerstown High School
EDUCATION – 1998 graduate, Newcomerstown High School; bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University.
MILITARY SERVICE – U.S. Army, 2000-2005. Deployed to Iraq in 2004.
FAVORITE QUOTE – “Paralyze resistance with persistence.” – Woody Hayes
WHAT WOULD OUR READERS BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? – “I like to sing karaoke.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? – “It would be the ‘Band of Brothers Series,’ which tells the account of the Easy Company of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and its mission in World War II Europe, from Operation Overlord to V-J Day.”
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND WHAT YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME – “My parents are Dave and Debbie Elliott, both Newcomerstown natives, with Dad graduating from NHS in 1966, and Mom in 1971. I have a sister, Ashlee, a 2000 graduate of NHS, residing locally along with her daughter, Brynlee, a seventh-grader at Newcomerstown Middle School, as well as a brother, David, a 1987 graduate of NHS. He served 24 years in the U.S. Army, and resides in Waynesville, Missouri. David and his wife, Vickie, have two daughters – Candace and Andrianna. After graduating from Newcomerstown High School, I joined the U.S. Army, from 2000-2005, which included a deployment to Iraq, and earned a B.S. from Ohio State University. I am married to Haylee Elliott, a kindergarten teacher in Newcomerstown School District. We live inside the village, and have two sons, Liam, age 10, and Tristan, age 6, and a daughter, Everlee, 9 months old. My joy comes from being with family and friends, attending my son’s sporting events, golf bowling, plus watching the Buckeyes and Browns.”
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT NEWCOMERSTOWN HIGH, AND WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? – “This is my fourth year as athletic director at Newcomerstown High School. I enjoy watching all our athletes compete in the many sports programs. I have always been enthusiastic about sports, and to be a part of organizing those functions and collaborating with the coaches is a dream come true for me. Not only do I arrange travel logistics for all sports teams when they play away from NHS, but I strive to provide them with nice equipment and facilities. Our community is so fortunate to have Lee Stadium, the various fields, and the Field House. Matt Swigert is our groundskeeper, and he makes sure each field is kept top notch and ready to go for each sporting event held on the high school grounds. Lee Stadium has the distinction of being the largest stadium for capacity in the Inter-Valley Conference, as our home bleachers can hold 3,000 fans and our visiting side can accommodate 1,000. I would put our stadium up against anyone's. I think the most rewarding part for myself, and our entire coaching staff, has been to see the athletes developing year to year. It is an honor to ensure each team of girls or boys is recognized for their sport of choice or choices. Sports in the Newcomerstown community has quite a history, and the fans are loyal, dedicated and have pride in our athletes, and for that we are grateful. We have many events associated with the sport’s program, plus fundraisers, and the school, parents, teams, businesses, boosters, and individuals have always come forward to support us. You are all appreciated very much. Education is also very important to me, and I must operate within those guidelines as well and sometimes we need to find the balance between both.”
WHAT SPORTS DID YOU PLAY AT NHS AND WHAT ARE YOUR MEMORIES FROM THOSE DAYS? – “While in high school in the late 1990’s, I was a member of the football, basketball, and baseball team. I was part of three IVC championships with my teammates. I now love being a significant part of those same teammate’s children playing the same sports we did in high school. It has come full circle.”
PLEASE GIVE US A RECAP OF THE NEWCOMERSTOWN TROJAN FOOTBALL TEAM’S 2022 SEASON, THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOOTBALL EVENT, PARTICIPATING IN THE PLAYOFFS AND SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY – “It was an impressive season for the Newcomerstown High School Football Team. We experienced many accomplishments such as an 8-2 overall record for the season, 5-0 IVC record, second-ever playoff game, and our first home field playoff game. Head football coach Dirk Gadd was named Coach of the Year locally, as well as Bunk Millender, a sophomore, being named Player of the Year. Another great accolade this year was celebrating the 100th year of football in Newcomerstown. Former coaches, players and cheerleaders all took part, and it was a great night for Newcomerstown football. I absolutely cannot say enough about the community support. It was a great feeling being escorted back into town with sirens, lights, football fans and more after winning the away games.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ABOUT HEAD FOOTBALL COACH DIRK GADD, THE OTHER COACHES AND THE TEAM? – “Dirk is 100% for the players. He has a wonderful coaching staff, and they all come together for the team, and what a great season the team gave us. I think all our coaches in each sport possess this same love of the game and want to give our children every chance to excel by giving 100% to coaching and their team. The team as a whole was out to have a winning season, and they did just that. They are a wonderful group of kids, and everyone involved with the football team loved interacting with them.”
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2023? – “We are hoping for another IVC championship, another home playoff game, and a win! Go Trojans!”
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT FOR US? – “None of our success for any sport at NHS would be possible without our many volunteers including ticket sellers, chain crew, clock operators, sound, announcer, the best band in the land, the booster club, parents and cheerleaders. Each one of these people has been a godsend to the team.”
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Meet Chad Elliott, Newcomerstown High athletic director
