NDA athletic director stepping down
Saying she has fulfilled every goal she set to accomplish as Notre Dame Academy athletic director, Kim Gunning announced she is stepping down from that position at the end of the school year following 25 years at the school and 18 in her current position.
Notre Dame has evolved into a Ninth Region power in almost every sport it offers and has had success at the state level in some of those, too.
"It's the perfect time to take a new direction," said Gunning, who also coached volleyball at the school for a little over a decade and led the team to state titles in 1989, 1991 and 1994 and runner-up finishes in 1990, 1996, 1998 and 2000. She stepped down as coach after the 2001 season. "The program couldn't be in better standing, offering 13 varsity sports along with the recent completion of our extraordinary athletic complex"
Not only has Notre Dame had success on the field, but during her tenure the school has also added four sports programs (lacrosse, bowling, bass fishing and archery) and added a gym and three outdoor sports facilities (soccer field and track complex, tennis courts and softball field).
"Although we are sorry to see Ms. Gunning leave Notre Dame Academy, we support her decision to move on," said NDA principal Dr. Laura Koehl. "We are grateful for all that Ms. Gunning has accomplished during her 25 years at NDA. We celebrate her tenure and wish Ms. Gunning well."
Gunning said she plans to assist in the transition of the new athletic director.
MCSORLEY STEPS DOWN AS NDA SOCCER COACH: The birth of her second son in February has led highly successful Notre Dame Academy soccer coach Sara McSorley to step down. She said she told her players on Wednesday.
McSorley had been head coach at Notre Dame since 2004 and compiled a 195-40-19 record, led three teams to state titles (2004, 2011 and 2013) and two others to state runner-up finishes (2009 and 2012).
"Each year I look at all of my commitments - job, family, soccer - and make sure I can give 100 percent to each of them and each year it gets harder," said McSorley. "Last year was especially hard to do, and with the birth of my second son in February, it felt like the right time to take a break from coaching and focus on my little ones. I will always love the program at Notre Dame, the game of soccer and coaching will always be close to my heart so I definitely hope to see myself on the sidelines again."
NEW FOOTBALL DISTRICTS TO BE REVEALED TUESDAY: The Kentucky High School Athletic Association is expected to reveal its proposed district by district football alignment for 2015-18 at its Board of Control meeting this Tuesday at the KHSAA office in Lexington.
Last month the KHSAA released which class each team will play (classes are based on enrollment, but schools were allowed to play up a class and in some cases play down a class to balance the classes).
The biggest question will be how the six Northern Kentucky Class 6A schools (Boone County, Campbell County, Conner, Cooper, Ryle and Simon Kenton) will be divided, because the KHSAA has tried in the past to have four teams in each of its eight Class A and Class 6A districts and then anywhere from 4-6 teams in each of its eight Class 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A districts.
Here are the class breakdowns for Northern Kentucky schools in the Enquirer coverage area:
Class A – Dayton, Bellevue, Ludlow, Bishop Brossart and Beechwood.
Class 2A – Newport Central Catholic, Holy Cross, Newport, Walton-Verona, Gallatin County, Owen County, Carroll County and Lloyd.
Class 3A – Pendleton County.
Class 4A – Holmes and Scott.
Class 5A – Highlands (454.75), Covington Catholic, Grant County and Dixie Heights.
Class 6A – Cooper, Conner, Boone County, Campbell County, Ryle and Simon Kenton.
NKY HALL OF FAME: The following will be inducted to the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame at its regular monthly ceremony at the Villa Hills Civic Club on April 16 at 1:30 p.m.:
Garren Colvin – He played football, basketball and baseball at Ludlow High School (Class of 1982) and baseball at Thomas More College. He was selected Ninth Region All-Tournament team in both basketball and baseball in senior year. He went on to pitch and play the outfield at Thomas More where he was selected All-NAIA his senior year.
George Wilson – He was a starter on the 1962 University of Cincinnati NCAA basketball championship team, was a member of the gold medal winning United States basketball team in the 1964 Olympics and has long been involved in lending a helping hand to several Northern Kentucky schools and organizations.
Lindsay (Long) Lichtenberger – The Dixie Heights grad won numerous honors in swimming and diving. She was a two-time state champion diver (1996 and 1997) and was a member of the United State Senior Diving Team from 1997-2001. She earned a bronze medal in the World Cup in 1998 and in the 1998 World Swimming and Diving Championships. She Also qualified for the 2000 United States Olympic team. She was an NCAA All-America selection at SMU.
Rick Smith – He lettered three years in football, basketball and baseball at Ludlow, where he graduated in 1971. He played despite suffering from polio in his left leg. He went on to coach youth sports in Ludlow and Ft. Mitchell and has worked with Northern Kentucky Special Olympics for several years.
Tom Saalfeld – He played basketball at Holy Cross from 1964-67 and at Thomas More College from 1967-71. Was a member of the 1965 Ninth Region champion Holy Cross basketball, which lost in the state championship game. He was an All-34th District selection as a senior in 1967. He was a starter at Thomas More as a junior and senior.
HALL, 3 PLAYERS FROM '78 UK TEAM AT FUNDRAISER THURSDAY: Joe B. Hall, who coached the University of Kentucky basketball team to the 1978 NCAA Championship and three players off that team – Jack Givens, Kyle Macy and Rick Robey – will be at Newport's Little Nashville from 7-9 p.m. this Thursday night for a campaign event for Dave Guidugli, who is running for Campbell County Jailer.
Tickets for event are $25 each and fans can meet Hall and the players and get autographs as well.
REDS "KID GLOVE" TICKETS AVAILABLE: There more than 5,000 ticket vouchers remain for two Cincinnati Reds "Kid Glove" games on May 13 and 14 against the San Diego Padres.
Vouchers are $10 each and can be redeemed for a View Level seat at Great American Ball Park to either of those games. Vouchers are issued on a consignment basis and any amateur baseball or softball team, including high school teams, is eligible to participate. Participating teams receive 85 percent of their sales in equipment for the 2015 season.
For anyone interested in participating or for more information contact Paul Kramer at paulwink@fuse.net.
NOTEWORTHY: Dixie Heights junior center Liza Tibbs committed last week to Division II Bellarmine. .. Newport Central Catholic track athlete Abby Luken recently signed a letter of intent to Murray State. … The following area officials, umpires and referees were named finalists in their sports for KHSAA Outstanding Official of the Year: Jimmy Guerra (Ft. Thomas, baseball); Michael Pangallo (Alexandria, basketball) and Tim King (Falmouth, track and cross country). The winner will be announced at the 21st Annual Officials Recognition Banquet on May 4 at the KHSAA office in Lexington.