High school sports

High school sports

Poland High erred by not hiring Rohan

Fanfare:

I am writing to express my disappointment with the recent athletic director appointment at my alma mater, Poland Seminary High School.

I mean no hard feelings toward Brian Banfield and do not dispute his competence to handle the position. However, I truly believe that any candidate would pale in comparison to Steve Rohan.

I attended Poland for my sophomore, junior and senior years from the fall of 2002 to the spring of 2005. Many of the best memories of my life were made at PSHS and the cornerstones of those experiences were not only great friends, but also teachers, coaches and administrators like Mrs. Stacy, Mr. Wolf, Coach Dunn and Coach Rohan

Having switched schools in the middle of third grade, after fifth grade, after sixth grade and after my freshman year of high school all while moving across the country numerous times, I would like to think that I’ve had more exposure to teachers and administrators than most. Every student remembers those who touched us during the vulnerable years of our youth. I don’t remember my algebra grade or what my flowers looked like at Homecoming, but I do remember seeing Coach Rohan in the stands at all of my volleyball games when the stands were mostly empty. I remember Coach Rohan welcoming students and non-students alike with Coach Grisdale at spring open gyms twice a week. I remember him staying up until 1 a.m. on a weeknight to help my physics group and him tutoring countless other students at the end of a long day. Most importantly, he took a true vested interest in all aspects of Poland.

He knew every student, teacher, employee, and administrator by name and made it a point to reach out to anyone who walked through his door. The first place students turned when they were lost or upset was always Coach Rohan. His experience at Poland tops Mr. Banfield’s tenfold and his overall experience is far superior as well. Outside the context of Poland, Coach Rohan has a diverse skill set from coaching four sports, observing several more, and even playing basketball at the collegiate level. Both subjectively and objectively, I’m truly at a loss for how the search committee arrived at its decision.

For as long as I can remember, my dad has ingrained in my head that “what matters most is what you do when no one is watching.” Coach Rohan’s selfless actions often went unnoticed and he didn’t receive a bonus or a medal of recognition for his own kindness. Those acts, in my opinion, are the most telling and I fear that the quiet nature of them have unfairly cost him this position.

I will feel deeply saddened for the Poland community if we lose someone so committed and genuine. The athletic director is someone who puts a face to the Poland name and in my mind, there’s no one quite like Coach Rohan. I hope he finds a place where 15 years of dedication and unprecedented community actually means something.

Deloran Muransky

PSHS, Class of 2005