Memorial faculty member, Steve Ferdinandi, is serving as interim Athletic Director for the remainder of this school year and is looking forward to the new opportunity.
“ I am very excited and extremely blessed for this opportunity,” said Ferdinandi. “Stacey did an amazing job as AD, and I was blessed to watch and learn from her example, and Anthony before her. She left the athletic department in a great spot, and I am excited to pick up the baton.”
Ferdinandi’s immediate responsibilities include working with the Girls Tennis, Girls Volleyball, and Cross Country teams. “I will help them as they finish the regular season and continue their paths towards postseason success,” he explained.
It has been an extremely busy time so far, according to Ferdinandi, but he has enjoyed working with the coaches and athletes, going to the different matches, and supporting the many different programs SJM has to offer. “I am also working on finishing up some preparations for winter sports, as well as starting some things in anticipation of the spring sports seasons,” he explained. “JD Salles and I share a lot of the responsibilities of working together in support of the overall mission of the school, its athletes, coaches, families, and supporters.”
Ferdinandi said athletics has always had a special place in his life. “Playing any sport I could possibly play throughout my life at many different competitive levels, and coaching multiple sports during my tenure at SJM, have allowed me to impact many people,” said Ferdinandi. “This led me to pursue my master's degree in athletic administration.”
His desire to help people wherever and however he could led Ferndinandi to the classroom. “I have been blessed to impact many lives in the classroom; that care for the students in a holistic way drew me to also be more impactful in their athletic endeavors,” according to Ferdinandi. “I believe one can learn many beneficial life lessons from athletics, supplementing the learning that occurs in the home and classroom. The competition and camaraderie I experienced in athletics emphatically influenced my life in a positive way, and I hope I can pass on this excitement to our students through their participation in SJM athletics.”