ATHOL — Dave King will on July 1 enter his Athol High School office for the first time in 19 years without leading the Athol-Royalston athletic program. King will step away from the athletic director role to focus on his role as assistant principal, a position he has held for the past three years in conjunction with his time as athletic director.
“With our high school and school district really needing to make a push toward academic excellence, taking any bit of that time away during the school day and having some focus on athletics is too much,” said King. “The position is so much in my blood, my heart and doing it for the last 19 years, it’s part of me. It’s basically made me who I am in regards to leadership and regards to work ethic. I had to be encouraged to step away.”
There were many forces and opinions that played into the decision, which made it hard for King to step away from a position he has held for such a long time. After interning with the department as an undergraduate student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst studying sport management, King took over as athletic director role at 22 years old. The position opened up when King graduated from UMass. Kent Strong and Mike King (no relation) interviewed him for the position and later hired him.
“They gave me that first opportunity to be a full-time athletic director here in the town,” said King. “That was my opportunity, took it and made the best of it.”
King still has pride in the Athol-Royalston athletic program and will continue to support as a school administrator. King said the athletic director and assistant principal roles are similar in that they serve “the same ultimate mission” of providing experiences to allow students to succeed now andlater in life, just in different realms. He assured he is determined to become the best instructional leader possible. King was happy about what he has accomplished in both roles, but spoke largely about his accomplishments as athletic director.
“I’m proud of all the things I’ve been able to accomplish, both professionally and here with our student-athletes” added King. “Definitely a lot of pride that I have comes with the school and the community. It’s still there, just in a different role. This is my hometown and this is where I want to be and I’ll try to continue to make a positive impact on the school and community.”
King has an innate inclination to help others. Both positions focus on guiding and helping students succeed. That inclination comes from a deep passion to prove Athol-Royalston students and community members can be just as successful as anyone else.
“What motivates me is just hearing that, to some people outside this community, that this town is a bit beneath them, so that really provides the fire and the drive to prove them wrong,” said King. “Our students that come from the middle school or high school can be just as successful as anyone else in any other schools in the United States. If they have that drive and if someone encourages them and pushes them in the right way, there’s no reason why our students can’t be just as successful as anyone else. That’s the fire that drives me to do the best I can for the town and this community.”
Sports have motivated King his entire life, which led him to pursue athletics. His work as athletic director has fulfilled his passion and motivations these past 19 years. He pledged he won’t abandon athletics. With his children still playing sports, King said he will support them and their teammates. He said he is thankful for the opportunity that ultimately became part of his identity.
“You want something that you wake up everyday and enjoy doing,” said King. “That what I loved to do, athletics and sports. It was easy to get up every single day and do something you love to do and staying in (the athletic director role) was part of that. Anyone would say they’re blessed if they can get up every day and do a job they love. That’s what it’s always been for me.”
“Now it’s about moving the school forward in a positive way, not just athletics,” added King.