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Trail AD Shaw said he has ‘big shoes to fill’

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter/Photographer

FACTORYVILLE - It’s the beginning of a new era at Lackawanna Trail Jr./Sr. High School, with David Shaw taking over as athletic director today, Wednesday, July 1.

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David Shaw takes on role of Lackawanna Trail High School athletic director today, Wednesday, July 1.

Abington Journal/Don McGlynn

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Shaw, a 1996 graduate of Lackawanna Trail, was approached to assume the duties of athletic director from Jeff Gregory, who had the position after the retirement of Tom Parry in April of 2007. Shaw had been working as a part-time trainer at the school for the past two years.

Originally Gregory, principal of Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center, was to take the job for only the last two months of the school year, but the district requested he stay on the last two years, for a number of reasons.

Now with Shaw in place Gregory is finally able to step down, and hand the reins over to someone he is confident will do a good job.

“David’s a very consciousness guy, he has a vested interest in the school and I think he’ll do well,” said Gregory.

Shaw will be acting as both athletic director and trainer. He has a lot of experience with the latter, spending time as a trainer at Dunmore High School before coming to work for Lackawanna Trail the last two years. It’s the former that is all new to him.

While he says he is excited about the new challenge, he understands what is expected of him.

“I’ve got some big shoes to fill, Jeff and Harry (Powell) they’re a good group of guys and they did a great job… My goal this year is just to have a smooth transition, I’m not looking to change anything,” said Shaw.

Harry Powell, a teacher at Lackawanna Trail High School, joined Gregory last year to help out with the athletic director duties.

Both he and Gregory will still be working for the district, and Gregory said he is planning on making himself available to help Shaw as he makes the transition, saying he is only a phone call away.