Rye Add Interim Head of Athletics to Succeed Castagna

Not finding a full time replacement fast enough, Rye Schools added and interim Athletics head while the search continues for a full time replacement for Rob Castagna. Castagna is leaving at the end of the school year. The new interim head is Rod Mergardt. See his LinkedIn and the PR release below.

(PHOTO: new interim head of athletics Rod Mergardt)

RYE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT APPOINTS ROD MERGARDT
INTERIM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Rye, NY (June 16, 2015) — The Rye City School District today named Gerard “Rod” Mergardt as Interim Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics while continuing the search for a permanent director. Mergardt was appointed by the Board of Education today, and will assume his post on July 1, 2015.

Mergardt has served as the Interim Athletic Director for 5 New York and Connecticut school districts since retiring in 1996 after 26 years as Athletic Director of the Bedford Central School District.

Mergardt succeeds Rob Castagna. Castagna is leaving at the end of the school year to pursue other professional endeavors.

Superintendent Frank Alvarez said, “In his 52 years in public education, Rod Mergardt has 34 years of experience in the field of athletic administration. We are very happy to have him join the Garnet family.”

(PHOTO: The job, as listed here in the NY Times.)

“I am honored to lead the Rye City School District Department of Athletics during this transitional period,” said Mergardt. “The focus of the department will continue to be on the success of our students, both on and off the field.”

Prior to coming to Rye, Mergardt served as interim Athletic Director in the Tuckahoe, Ridgefield, Tarrytown, Byram Hills and Mamaroneck school districts. He was also Adjunct Professor of Sport Law at Manhattanville College and Supervisor of Undergraduate Physical Education student teachers at SUNY Cortland. Prior to retiring in 1996, he was the Director of Health, Physical Education & Athletics for the Bedford Central School District, and a Physical Education Teacher and Coach in Bedford for 5 years prior to that.

Mergardt has coached boy’s football and wrestling and boy’s and girl’s track & field, gymnastics, and swimming & diving.

Mergardt has a BA in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland, an MA in Physical Education from the University of Bridgeport, a degree in Athletic Administration from NYU, and additional study in School Administration at Southern Connecticut State University and State University College in New Paltz.

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