Warwick needs a full-time AD

This past Monday, we received an e-mail forwarded to us about a 7 p.m. meeting that night where the School Board would decide whether Warwick would have a full time or part time athletic director for their sports programs.

The general understanding is our AD Greg Sirico was informed of the Board’s decision and the meeting when he opened his e-mail Monday morning.

The meeting was standing-room only filled with students and parents. Coach Greg Sirico, who is an immeasurable part of our successful Wildcat sports programs, spoke eloquently on the AD position and his role in serving our students and community.

Anyone who has seen him in action knows the tremendous impact he has on our kids. He’s a passionate leader who relates well to students and motivates them to reach for their best.

What happened next reminded us why we are proud to live in Warwick. Parent after parent spoke, some who knew Greg as a colleague, some as a parent of an athlete, some who had modest dealings with Greg through youth leagues.

Taxpayers acknowledging a man who is fully committed to our community and worth every penny.

Students spoke of how grateful they were to have Mr. Sirico in their lives as a positive role model and inspirational leader.

Sports help children develop a good attitude by discovering who they are as a person, how they handle victory and just as importantly how they handle defeat.

Our son is a sophomore at UConn and quite possibly will be a walk on football player this spring. I’m convinced if he hadn’t attended Warwick and been exposed to the coaches, the teachers and people like Greg Sirico, he might not have found the inspiration to pursue a dream and the discipline to make it happen.

We realize tough decisions have to be made as it relates to our school budget, but you can’t put a price tag on what a full-time AD (and this one in particular) means to our kids.

We ask the School Board to consider this important intangible and determine that Warwick is best served by a full-time athletic director.

Go Cats !

Pete Ryan

Warwick