KP’s Schairer Ready to Begin Final Year as A.D.

The 2016-17 school year likely will be a bit nostalgic and emotional for Steve Schairer.
King Philip Regional’s athletic director will begin his 10th year in that role but it also will be his last before he retires. The 61-year-old Schairer, who missed four months after knee-replacement surgery last February, begins his final campaign in good health and he’s eager to once again assist coaches and student-athletes in a very supportive way.
“My philosophy has always been to create an atmosphere where my coaches can coach free of any outside interference,’’ Schairer said. “When I coached, my A.D.s were supportive and didn’t try to second-guess me.’’
Winning teams are a plus but Schairer’s been around long enough to know that turning out quality individuals who learn important life lessons from athletics is a key part of his administrative role. He’s acutely aware that good coaches are an A.D.’s best asset. “Coaches who handle kids in a positive manner in tough situations are special,’’ Schairer said. “As an A.D., I hope my role enables kids to learn life lessons but it’s our coaches who have a lot to do with that.’’
Before his surgery and subsequent absence, Schairer was delighted that KP’s artificial turf field became a reality last fall and now is used extensively by a variety of programs. “What’s also a plus is that our baseball and softball teams can practice on it when conditions are poor,’’ Schairer emphasized.
During his rehab period, which was lengthy because of complications from surgery, Schairer was pleased that the Warriors’ softball team won its third state championship.
“That program has been our best overall,’’ he said. “We’ve gone deep into the tourney the last few years but it was nice to see us go all the way. There were three girls on the team who’ll be playing in Division 1 colleges next spring. The team met high expectations and they did it by developing fabulous chemistry. We’ve been fortunate that we’ve had other teams experience success. Our football team, for example, hasn’t won a Super Bowl but it has compiled 10-1 and 9-2 records in the recent past.’’
The softball team’s crown marked the school’s fifth state title in the last five years. Softball has won three, boys swimming has won one and so, too, has girls track.
As KP’s fall teams get ready for challenging matchups in the always-tough Hockomock League, Schairer has diligently monitored the essential areas that always have to be addressed before August practice sessions begin. Those duties include having coaches in place at all levels; scheduling; equipment ordered and distributed; student registrations; and concussion testing.
“Coaching turnover happens very often at the jayvee and freshmen levels,’’ Schairer said. “You really can’t wait to fill openings in August. Scheduling can be a challenge because not every school has every sport at lower levels. Times have to be determined, buses have to be ordered and refs have to be notified. We have 1,000 plus kids playing sports at KP and about 400 compete in the fall.’’
Schairer is quick to credit Cheryl Rowe, fulltime librarian and technology director, for the help she provides. “Cheryl goes above and beyond to assist the athletic office,’’ he noted.
For an A.D., August is when the rubber meets the road. That’s when Schairer tries to be as visible as possible, dealing with 18 teams on seven fields. “You can’t be at seven places at the same time but you try to put out any “fires’’ so the coaches can coach,’’ Schairer said. “It can be frustrating at times because parents, players and coaches are concerned only with the team they’re involved with, as they should. I have to be concerned with all 18.’’
A graduate of Southern Connecticut State where he earned a degree in physical education, Schairer later got his masters in athletic administration at Northern Colorado University. He coached football at the high school level but he’s directed lacrosse teams at York College (Jamaica, N.Y.), Northern Colorado and Dean College. Schairer was an A.D. at the high school level in Colorado and was the supervisor of the phys-ed department at Dean.
In retirement, the personable A.D. says he won’t be bored and fully expects to stay busy. “I have a lot of lacrosse connections and I may play guitar, as I’ve done in the past, in a rock and roll band,’’ he said.
Schairer, however, knows he’ll miss the good times he helped create at KP and the spirit of KP’s teams. “The camaraderie they exhibited will be missed,’’ he said. “I loved the way our kids prepared and executed. I loved dealing with the coaches, the kids and parents. I’ll also miss faculty members. It’s the whole package I’ll miss.’’
When June approaches, Steve Schairer will be putting the final wrap on 10 years at KP. He’s given 100 percent all day, every day and he’s been a very effective leader.
The ultimate Warrior.