LIBERTY, NY — Thomas Zehner has joined Liberty Central School District as its athletic director.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Sage College of Albany in K-12 physical education, a master’s degree in health, recreation and physical education from Emporia State University, and a Certification of Advanced Study in School Leadership from SUNY New Paltz.

Before coming to Liberty, Zehner was an elementary physical education teacher in the Beacon City School District. He also worked as a cooperating teacher for student teachers for six years. He served as a coach for soccer, basketball, tennis, softball and lacrosse too. 

He said he wants to build upon past successes at Liberty and hopes to increase participation in the Redhawks sports programs.

To do this, he said he wants to help support existing youth sports programs in the community, as well as build programs to introduce younger students to sports in the schools, in accordance with the Redhawks Champion Plan introduced last year.

Expanding the Athletes Helping Athletes can be a big part of that, he said. 

“Mentoring is great,” Zehner said, “but if we can get our older athletes to assist more in the elementary and middle schools, we can better build that sense of Redhawk community and Liberty pride.”

He said he could see students helping lead lessons in their sports or volunteering with sports programs in the community.

“The district as a whole will benefit from promoting the culture of school spirit,” he said.

In his free time, Zehner—who lives in Wappingers Falls—enjoys golfing, hiking, playing sports and spending time with his family and dog.