By Rob Potter
LIVINGSTON MANOR — When Livingston Manor Central School (LMCS) opened for the 2009-2010 school year last week, the district had a new Athletic Director.
Well, not totally new. Shirlee Davis, who was the Manor AD for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 academic years, is once again in charge of the district’s sports program. Davis takes over for Steve Schroder, who held the AD job during the 2008-2009 school year.
Schroder became the AD last September after Davis decided to focus on her teaching duties in the Manor Middle School. But when two Manor social studies teachers retired in June, Schroder, who had been a business teacher in the district the previous two school years, decided to take one of the open social studies teaching positions. After completing two college courses and passing a required exam over the summer, he is now a member of the Manor social studies department.
“I talked with the administrators and we felt it would be too much for me to be a new social studies teacher and continue to have the AD job,” Schroder said. “So I decided to step down as AD.”
Soon after, Davis decided to take the job for the second time. “Shirlee did a great job as AD before and I’m sure she will do a great job again,” Schroder said.
In addition to her AD responsibilities, Davis will teach literature to fifth-and sixth-grade students in the Manor Middle School. She also taught while serving as AD before and is ready for the challenge of once again taking on two jobs. (Actually three jobs, as she is also coaching the Manor varsity girls’ soccer team this autumn.)
“I’m happy to be back as AD,” Davis said. “It’s an exciting job and gives me a chance to interact with the high school kids. As a teacher and AD, it’s nice to watch these kids grow.”
This is Davis’ 23rd year of teaching in Manor, which is her alma mater. Davis moved to Manor in the eighth grade after living in Spring Glen and attending school in Ellenville.
During her four high school years, she played for the Lady Wildcat soccer, basketball and softball teams.
“All my friends played sports,” Davis said. “It was something fun
for us to do.”
After graduating from LMCS, she attended Orange County Community College in Middletown for two years and played on the school’s women’s soccer team. From there, Davis went to SUNY New Paltz and earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education. She also received an administrative degree from SUNY New Paltz.
She and her husband, Ed, have three children: Ed, Samantha and John. Ed is a senior at SUNY Morrisville, Samantha is a freshman at SUNY Buffalo and John is a sophomore at LMCS.
Among the changes in the Manor athletic department this year include the retirement of longtime physical education teachers Scott Branning, Gail Denman and Pete Feinberg, the hiring of three new physical education teachers to fill the positions left by Branning, Denman and Feinberg and the absence of a cross country team.
“We didn’t have enough kids for a team,” Davis said. “I hope we will have enough kids for a cross country team next fall.” As far as short-term goals for the Manor athletic program, Davis has a couple in mind.
“It’s going to be an exciting year,” she said. “I want our Livingston Manor student-athletes to do the best they can and continue to display good sportsmanship.”