SRHS welcomes new Athletic Director

  The athletic director’s chair at Staunton River High School is empty no longer.  The person who is filling it, though, has little time to sit.

Vanessa Robtison was named to the post last week.  She assumed her duties this past Monday, just as the fall seasons got underway.

“We think she’ll be a great athletic director,” said SRHS principal Michelle Morgan.  “We think she has the experience and background to lead the Eagles in a positive direction.”

Robtison is a native of Pennsylvania, having graduated from Neshaminy High School (outside of Philadelphia) in 2002.  Accordingly, she’s a big fan of the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers and Flyers.

At Neshaminy, Robtison ran cross country and played volleyball and soccer.

At Millersville University, she played soccer, missing only her sophomore season, due to an ACL tear.

Robtison graduated in 2006 with a degree in technical education, “though I minored in soccer,” she laughed.

She returned to Neshaminy, teaching at Maple Point Middle, while coaching numerous sports at that school as well as varsity soccer at the high school.

“I will die a Neshaminy Redskin,” she stated.

While still coaching Neshaminy, she shifted her teaching duties to Pennsbury High School last school year.

As she earned her Masters in Education Degree (in 2008) and had finished courses for school principal certification, Robtison was looking for opportunities in the area of school administration.

She has family in the Roanoke-Bedford area, and comes here every summer.  “I emailed several schools to see if they would like a principal intern,” she shared.

Staunton River’s Morgan seemed to like the idea, and brought Robtison on at SRHS for the summer in an unpaid role.

Morgan was also in the middle of the hunt for a new athletic director.  Suddenly, Robtison had a shot at “my dream job”

Just as in economics, sometimes supply meets demand.

“I was incredibly impressed with all three administrators,” she said, referring to Morgan, Dawn Verhoeff and Josh Cornett.

The interview committee was impressed by Robtison, according to Morgan.

Robtison has hit the ground running.  During an interview for this story, she was concurrently trying to reschedule a golf match.  Her desk was covered with forms, rosters and schedules.

She seemed to be loving it, nonetheless.

“I like this area,” she said.  “It has a small-town feel.  You’ll get to know the people you’re working with.”

More to the point, she wants to help Staunton River sustain the success it has realized in recent years.

“It’s important to raise our expectations for our coaches and athletes,” she said,  “When you do that, it’s human nature to reach those goals.”

She gave up a lot by leaving friends and family in Pennsylvania.  In spite of the move, she’s obviously enthused about seeing the Eagles do well. 

“I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work and put Staunton River on the map,” she enthused.  “I want teams in the playoffs and States.”

She knows it will take the cooperation of the community.  “We need to continue to work as a team,” she noted.  “I want to know the kids and coaches, to be one big family and continue to have success.”

Robtison takes over for Ricky Falls, who retired as AD after serving 30 years in the Bedford County school system.