Hershey hired as VWCS athletic director

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

After more than three decades, Van Wert City Schools hired a new athletic director Friday at a special meeting of the district’s Board of Education held at noon in the S.F. Goedde Building.

Craig Hershey was given a three-year administrative contract, effective August 1, and was also given a per-diem agreement that will allow him to start earlier than August. Hershey, a graduate of Delphos St. John’s, where he was a three-sport athlete, playing football and basketball, and running track.

He later earned his bachelor’s degree from Grand Canyon University in Arizona and returned to Delphos St. John’s to coach basketball (nine years), football (two years), and baseball (one year) for the Blue Jays.

For the past three years, Hershey has been part-time athletic director and head boys’ basketball coach at Hardin-Northern Local Schools, while also teaching social studies in grades 7-12.

Hershey is married and he and his wife, Kelly, have three children: Brenden, Ava, and Bo.

“It’s a very, very exciting opportunity for me,” Hershey said. “I’m excited to work with all the great coaches, athletes, and administrators; Van Wert’s a great community, a great school, (and has) great facilities.”

Hershey also had good things to say about his predecessor, longtime Athletic Director Kent Smelser.

“He’s done a fantastic job,” Hershey, noting that he hoped to pick up where Smelser left off and maybe bring some of his own philosophies to the job down the road.

The new athletic director said he also hoped to be able to talk to his predecessor sometime before he takes over in August in order to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Also at Friday’s special board meeting, David Conley, owner and managing partner of Lancaster-based Rockmill Financial Consulting Inc., made a presentation to the board on his school finance expertise, as well as possible areas where his company’s services could benefit Van Wert City Schools.