Apparently, you can return home again as Mark Driesel begins his first year as the new Athletic Director at Kendall. Driesel returned July 1 after serving as an Assistant Principal at Hilton High School this past school year. Prior to that, he served as a special education teacher and coach at Kendall for nine years.
“Being the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director allows me to be involved in many parts of school which I really enjoy,’ Driesel said via email. “We have an incredible team here at Kendall and I know working with them will be an amazing experience.
“I love returning to athletics and being exposed to competition. A large part of my life has been in a competitive setting and being able to work with KCSD student-athletes will allow me to re-enter that realm again. I’m excited to work with an athletic program that is rich in success and the drive to win, and I know our athletes will continue to do so.”
Since he was with the school for nine years professionally, the familiarization process will be shorter, including building relationships with all the coaches.
“I have already started the process of building relations with coaches. As the seasons begin, our regular communication regarding their upcoming season, updates, and all things pertinent to their sport will increase. I will be present at games and competitions and will work closely with them. I operate with an open door and whenever coaches want to talk about something, they are more than welcome to do so.”
The 32-year-old Driesel graduated from Kendall in 2009 where he was a Genesee Region All-Star and three-year captain of the Eagles baseball team. He later pitched at Monroe Community College and SUNY Brockport.
Now comes the balancing act of supporting the Kendall coaches and players while being a sounding board for any parent complaints.
“The relationship will be done by establishing mutual respect, valuing what one another says in a partnership, and doing what is best for the student. If we all operate under the premise of doing what is best for kids, we will be successful.”
