Michael Carofano believes participating in athletics is an important part of the growth process for students, and now he has an opportunity to influence the youth of Beacon.
Carofano, 34, was named the director of physical education, athletics, health and recreation for the Beacon City School District.
“It’s a position that I’ve always envisioned myself doing,’’ he said, “so personally I’m very excited. I’m excited to work with the physical education staff and coaching staff as well … to continue to build on what’s best for the kids.’’
Carofano succeeds John Giametta ― who has been athletic director since 2017 ― as he takes the district job of executive director of human resources and operations.
“We’re extremely thrilled about it,’’ Giametta said of Carofano’s appointment. “There’s nothing like having somebody start their career in one place and continue to advance their career to an extremely significant administrative role.’’
Giametta said taking over his new position is a natural evolution in his professional career.
“I feel like I’m ready to make a bigger impact district-wise,’’ he said. “It’s an exciting opportunity.’’
Giametta, who started his career at John Jay-East Fishkill, said the most significant impact during his AD tenure was moving Beacon to Section 9 from its longtime home in Section 1.
“We found that by going to Section 9, it was going to give us better postseason opportunities for all of our programs,’’ he said. “Since we’ve been in Section 9, we’re breaking school records on a yearly basis. “Those are the special opportunities that you remember as an athlete growing up.”
He’s also proud of the development of the female athletic programs at Beacon.
“Mr. Giametta has laid out a fantastic foundation and he has really improved our athletics program as a whole,’’ Carofano said, citing improved school spirit and championship success. “We’re in a real good spot (but) there’s always room for improvement.’’
Carofano said he would like to build on communication with the community and work on a Beacon athletics social media presence.
Carofano has served as an assistant principal at Rombout Middle School and has taught physical education and health at the elementary and middle schools. His coaching background has included softball, girls basketball, volleyball and football, at the modified, junior varsity and varsity levels.
“I am very familiar with a lot of the student-athletes that are coming through the program and with a lot of the coaches and teachers,’’ Carofano said.
“Mike is a learner … he is a true coach and true athlete,’’ Giametta said. “He doesn’t go into any type of situation thinking that he’s 100% right … he’s willing to listen, he’s willing to collaborate and he’s willing to work with other stakeholders to really find the answer to a problem.’’
A Marlboro product, Carofano played football, basketball and baseball for the Iron Dukes. He played basketball for SUNY Dutchess and club basketball at SUNY Cortland.
“I think athletics is really important for our kids because of the life lessons that you learn,’’ he said. “There’s going to be struggles, you’re not always going to be a champion. But I really value the process and the progress that teams and kids can make and the improvement that they can make in order to achieve what they want. Everyone wants to raise the trophy in the end but if you’re willing to put in hard work and learn what that means and learn how to do that, I think that’s equally as valuable.’’
Carofano wanted to thank his wife, Karly; his mother, Barbara; his late father, Peter; Giametta; and Rombout Middle School principal Brian Soltish for his personal and professional development.
Carofano said the district is ready to embark on improvements and drainage fixes to the baseball and softball fields and will be adding a unified bocce team.
kmcmillan@th-record.com
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Carofano appointed Beacon athletic director as Giametta takes new district position
Reporting by Ken McMillan, Middletown Times Herald- Record / Times Herald-Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
