Enhancing education through sports – School News Network

Sparta — Sparta’s new athletic director seized a chance to come back house to Michigan.

Nick Pettit, a Grand Ledge native who graduated from Michigan State College, took over as athletic director on July 11. He and his household moved from California the place he labored in increased schooling.

“It simply appeared like a very good alternative to assist children and do nice issues right here,” stated Pettit, who was seeking to get again to his roots. “(I) regarded on the alternative. It regarded good. It (was) one thing that will carry us house. 

“There’s a variety of actually good issues happening right here – stunning amenities, implausible individuals.”

Learn on to study extra about Sparta’s new athletic director:

Different positions you’ve gotten held in schooling: 

• Deputy athletic director, California Polytechnic State College (Cal-Poly)
• Affiliate athletic director, San Diego State College

How about jobs outdoors of schooling? “I used to officiate sports activities, so I’ve a smooth spot in my coronary heart for our high-school officers and middle-school officers.”

One summer season, Pettit was a merchandiser for Coca-Cola, stocking cabinets. “That was a troublesome gig,” he stated. “I used to be in form,” he added, noting that usually in the course of the scorching gross sales instances, the merchandise would fly off the cabinets quickly after he stocked it. 

Pettit additionally labored as gear supervisor for the San Francisco 49ers.

‘It simply appeared like a very good alternative to assist children and do nice issues right here.’

– Athletic Director Nick Pettit

Schooling/levels: 

• Bachelor’s diploma in meals trade administration, Michigan State College; 
• grasp’s diploma in sports activities administration from United States Sports activities Academy in Daphne, Alabama; 
• doctorate in instructional management from San Diego State College

Household: He and his spouse, Amber, have three kids: Beau, 14; Ty, 12: and Tori, 8.

Hobbies/pursuits/little-known expertise: “I really like cooking, baking, golf, fishing, mountain climbing,” stated Pettit, who climbed the Half Dome at Yosemite Nationwide Park twice. “I’ve achieved some fairly main hikes all around the Western United States.” He additionally enjoys touring and stated his athletic journey has taken him to each state within the U.S. besides Alaska and Rhode Island.

The largest lesson you’ve gotten realized from college students: “To help their quest for alternatives and development and what they take pleasure in doing, what helps them achieve success as individuals … (and) use athletics as a technique to improve their schooling.”

If I may return to high school, what grade would you select and why? “Freshman yr in highschool, as a result of that’s whenever you actually begin to get on a monitor with schooling, and (I may) construct my resume for school and actually take a look at alternatives that I needed to do early on.” Pettit preferred competing at a better degree of athletics in highschool, and in addition the chance to get to know lots of people in his massive highschool.

For those who walked into a college constructing to theme music by a favourite artist or band, what would it not be? “Lovely Day” by U2: “I really like that.”