UA sees advantage of two ADs

Upper Arlington High School's decision to go with two athletics directors on an interim basis worked out so well last winter and spring that the school has decided to keep the model in place.

The school board announced the hiring of Michael Schaefer and Jodi Palmer to share the athletics director role July 6. Schaefer, who will oversee the school's 15 boys varsity sports, and Palmer, who will be in charge of 16 girls varsity sports, officially begin their duties Aug. 1.

"Most schools have between 18 and 21 varsity teams," Schaefer said. "At Upper Arlington, we have 31. With the amount of varsity teams we have, I think this was a great model to pursue."

"Having two ADs is going to be a big advantage," Palmer said. "There were so many athletic events (every day) that it was hard for one person to cover everything. When you're working with a smaller portion of athletes, you can give more attention to each program."

UA has had six athletics directors in the last 15 years, but principal Kip Greenhill hopes having two athletics directors to share duties will cut down on the amount of turnover.

"Basically we have two people sharing the same job so instead of one person being here four or five nights a week, the two will be here just two or three days a week," Greenhill said.

"It's exciting to be doing something this novel," board president Bob Arkin said.

Palmer and Schaefer bring different backgrounds and experience to the position.

Palmer, who has taught in the district for 14 years, is a 1979 UA graduate. She married UA classmate Bill Palmer and the couple have two daughters and a son who attended Upper Arlington. Darcey graduated in 2005, Emily graduated in 2007 and Cody is going into his senior year.

"I've always had a connection to this place," said Palmer, who was a physical education teacher at Windermere Elementary School. "I know the community and I understand what the expectations are as the parent of an athlete and as a teacher. Hopefully, I can use that experience to my advantage."

Schaefer served with Greg Sullivan as interim athletics director last winter and spring. They took over after former athletics director Chris Potts stepped away from his duties to serve as the district's director of business services. Potts temporarily replaced Paul Craft, an Army reservist who was deployed to Washington, D.C. for a year.

Schaefer, who will continue to head the wellness department at the high school, said his experience last winter allowed him to learn on the job.

"People can give you advice but until you do it, you don't really know all that's involved," said Schaefer, who lives in UA with his wife, Kirsten, and children, Samantha, Bo and Emma Hazel. "I learn best by doing."

Schaefer grew up in Yorkville, Ill. His parents, John and Connie, were teachers.

Schaefer was an offensive lineman for the University of Toledo from 1996-2000 and played two seasons for the Quad City Steamwheelers in the Arena Football League 2. For the last eight years, he has taught health, wellness and physical education in Upper Arlington. He coaches outside linebackers and offensive line for the football team and has coached baseball for UA and Hastings Middle School.

"I came from a family of educators and all I ever wanted to do was to teach and coach," Schaeffer said. "I get to live that dream every day."

Upper Arlington has won 116 state championships (74 in boys sports, 42 in girls sports), including a swimming and diving title in girls sports and water polo, lacrosse and tennis titles in boys sports during the last school year.

"We want to make sports a positive experience for students," Palmer said.

"We want to maintain the great programs that have been there and add to it. That's our biggest challenge."

"Athletics give students the opportunity to grow outside of the classroom," Schaefer said. "Our tradition and successes are byproducts of that."

Jodi Palmer (left) and Michael Schaefer will share athletics director's duties. Palmer will oversee 16 girls sports and Schaefer will lead the 15 boys programs.