Rocket Academy director named athletic director

The Cedar Grove-Belgium High School athletic director position will be empty no more as of July 1.

The district found their director in house.

Rocket Academy Director David Friend will split the roles next year after the School Board approved his contract on May 14.

“David is a natural leader and he is athletics through and through. He has a vision for Rocket Academy and a love for Rocket Academy and what he’s done there is outstanding. I’m excited to see what he does in athletics,” high school Principal Josh Ketterhagen said.

“I’m pumped. He’s going to be fun to work with. It will be great for our district, great for our kids.”

Business Manager and head of Human Resources Tera Rogers said the job will be an even split.

“We have restructured it so that David is 50% Rocket Academy and 50% athletic director. We are working on our staffing structure at Rocket Academy and hoping to allow David to do more director-type work and less teacher work,” she said.

“We are giving it a year to see how it all works out.”

Friend starts his dual roles on July 1.