Fitch’s Conklin happy to return

The former Struthers educator spent a year at Ashtabula Lakeside.

By GREG GULAS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

BOARDMAN — Calling his job as athletic director at Austintown Fitch High the “premier position in this area,” Rob Conklin is happy to be home again after serving a one-year stint in the same capacity at Ashtabula Lakeside.

“Lakeside was actually the consolidation of both Harbor and Senior high schools, and I must admit that it was a tremendous experience for me,” said Conklin, who was the guest of the Curbstone Coaches at Monday’s luncheon at Blue Wolf Catering.

“They have great athletic facilities and excellent community support; two key ingredients if you expect to have a successful overall athletic program,” Conklin said.

“My situation at Fitch is similar to that at Lakeside in that the facilities are phenomenal, the people are great to work with and the community support is second to none.”

He’s only been on the Fitch job since July, but the Mentor native and 1974 graduate of Adrian College is excited about the direction of the Falcons’ teams.

“I knew that I always wanted to be a teacher and coach. I believe timing is everything, both in life and athletics and I have been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.

“Where I am is the ultimate for me. Having watched and admired the work of former Fitch ADs Gene Chepke, Dick Kenney and Joe Nohra over the years, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would be filling their shoes,” Conklin said. “It’s an opportunity that I both welcome and cherish.”

A football letter winner in both high school and college, Conklin spent 32 years at Struthers High as a teacher and coach, serving as the school’s athletic director as well.

He coached football at Cardinal Mooney, learning a valuable lesson from his former mentor and current athletic director Don Bucci.

“Coach [Bucci] preached to everyone that if you work hard, then good things will happen,” Conklin said. “And that’s the absolute truth.”

Since last spring, capital improvements to Falcon Stadium include a new synthetic turf and replacement of its all-weather track.

The Falcon Forward Campaign has already been responsible for refurbishing its rest rooms. With the help of benefactor Anthony Lariccia and his family, the campaign is soliciting funds to rename its diamond complex the Richard L. Coppola Baseball Field, in honor of its long-time successful coach.

With the help of the campaign, two community concession stands are earmarked for construction, one to be started as early as late fall.

“This is an exciting time right now for me and a very exciting time in Fitch athletics history,” Conklin said. “Athletics in general is very expensive but for the most part, we have been able to get by on our gate receipts and community support.

“My biggest goal is to bring all of our coaches together as a team while doing the right things both on and of the field,” Conklin said. “With the help of my team, if I can achieve that goal then I will have done my job.”

When asked about the Federal League and in particular, Fitch and Boardman’s affiliation, he noted, “We must take into consideration the best interest of our kids and the Federal League currently takes care of the needs of all of our programs.”

Next week, Howland High football coach Dick Angle and athletic director Bruce Johnson will be the guest speakers.