BELLEFONTE — The Bellefonte Area School District has named Deb Moore as athletic director. Moore has been with the district for more than 20 years and had previously held the position of assistant AD. Now she is set to run the athletic department.
She takes over after Jimmy Soltis stepped down from the position in December after a little more than a year on the job, citing the need to spend more time with his family. Pleasant Gap Elementary School principal Duffy Besch had been filling in as interim AD.
Moore’s position was officially approved by the school board on March 12 and Moore steps up at a busy time for the department with the new Rogers Stadium undergoing phase two of construction that looks to be wrapped up for the next fall sports season. Last football season, phase one of construction caused some issues as it dragged on into the season, but the stadium was opened for the final home game.
Phase two includes the additions of a track, concession stands, bathrooms, a field house, storage facilities and entrance gates. In the meantime the baseball team is playing over at Governor’s Park this spring and the lacrosse team is coming in as a new varsity sport. But Moore is excited to help get all of the teams ready for the new spring season and beyond.
“I am excited to serve and work with our student athletes and coaches aiding in all that I can to provide a safe and fun environment,” said Moore. “We are making adjustments with new teams and new venues for sports this spring and working out the logistics and coordination of all that goes along with that.”
Moore sees athletics as an important educational opportunity for the student athletes and as a source for community pride. She especially enjoys the opportunity to work with and for the hard working student athletes and their families in the district.
“I hope to work with our student athletes, coaches, parents and community members to provide a strong educational-based athletic program that provides opportunity for personal growth and success as individuals and teams,” said Moore.
