Woodland Public Schools (WPS) last week announced the appointment of Taylor Adrian as the district’s new athletic director.
According to a press release, Adrian brings a “passion for excellence and a commitment to fostering a positive sports culture,” along with experience and dedication to the school district, a news release by the district stated.
Adrian most recently taught physical education at Vancouver Public Schools, and he earned his administrative credentials and completed an administrative internship under an athletic director. The experience fueled his desire to lead an athletic program, WPS stated.
“Becoming an athletic director has been a dream of mine for some time,” Adrian said in the release.
According to the release, Adrian impressed the interview committees with a “can-do attitude” and willingness to ensure all student-athletes can participate in sports across the school district.
Although some districts in the region cannot secure transportation for every team to attend road games, according to the release, Adrian recently took the initiative to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) so he can drive a school bus to athletic events and road games.
Adrian said he sees great potential to develop and grow Woodland’s athletic teams with both high school and middle school sports returning, according to the release.
“I plan to set goals with each coach, monitor frequently how I can be most supportive and then fade into the background during contests to put the focus of our athletic programs on our student athletes and their efforts,” he said. “With the return of middle school sports this upcoming school year, we also have the opportunity to establish connections with our youth programs as they prepare for high school athletics.”
Adrian said he is excited about his upcoming opportunity.
“The position offers the opportunity to get the best of both worlds: teaching and operating as the district’s athletic director,” he said in the release. “Now, I get to continue my love of teaching students and the responsibility of managing the athletic department at Woodland High School. How much better does it get than that? Plus, the facilities here are absolutely beautiful. Who wouldn’t want to view high school athletics in such a grand setting?”
Adrian’s past experience as an athlete helped shape his future, WPS stated.
“We all have crummy days at school and work, but when practice time arrives, you get to cast away all the other stress and worries and simply focus on improving yourself and contributing to the team,” he said in the release. “Now that I get to focus the majority of my efforts on helping student-athletes remain eligible and compete athletically for WHS, this job is a dream come true.”
Adrian stated his family is important to his previous career success. He is married to wife Laura, and they have two children, Brooks, 4, and Lainey, 2.
“My wife keeps our family running while I’m away for long days coaching,” Adrian stated in the release. “I would be entirely lost without her.”
While Adrian and his family currently reside in the Felida neighborhood in Vancouver, they plan to relocate to Woodland within the next year or two, the release stated.
“It has always been a dream of mine to raise my kids in the community that I’m teaching and coaching in,” he said in the release. “My wife has been checking Redfin daily, and I hope it is in the cards as our kids enter elementary school in a few years.”
Adrian looks forward to his new position as Woodland athletic director and thanked everyone involved in the interview process.
“I want to thank Superintendent [Asha] Riley, Principal [Phil] Pearson, [Dean of Students Mike] Lindsay and the Woodland community for trusting me with the position of WHS athletic director,” he said in the release. “There is no place I would rather be than serving our students, and I want the entire Woodland community to know how appreciative I am of the opportunity. I will always advocate for the betterment of our kids, even if that means making unpopular decisions. I plan to serve in this role for as long as the Woodland [School District] and community will have me. Thank you, and Go Beavs!”
Adrian replaces Paul Huddleston, who resigned last year after accepting the dean of students position for Cascadia Tech Academy. Woodland Public Schools received 17 applicants for the athletic director position, the release stated.
Four interview panels composed of students, administrators, coaches and community members interviewed each candidate, and Adrian received strong recommendations from each committee, according to the press release.
