Bruce Schmidt Named Next Laramie High School Athletic Director [UPDATED]

KOWB has learned that the new Athletic Director at Laramie High School will be veteran teacher and coach Bruce Schmidt. His hiring is pending approval by the Albany County School Board at the next meeting on May 8. The news has already been revealed to the faculty and staff at Laramie High School.

Bruce Schmidt has been an educator and coach for 30 years. He began his teaching and coaching career in Spearfish, South Dakota, and had a brief stop in Moorcroft, Wyoming before coming to the Gem City 11 years ago.

This will be his first foray into more of an administrative role. Schmidt has experience running leagues before, but not in a school setting.

Schmidt told KOWB prior to applying for the position that, "The new AD needs to do what's best for our kids, and look out for the best interests of our programs." He has declined further comment since the news was confirmed to KOWB through numerous sources.

It was in 2002 that Bruce Schmidt started his tenure as a teacher and coach at Laramie High School. He was the Varsity basketball coach of the Laramie Lady Plainsmen for six seasons and has spent the past four years as an assistant in the boys program. Most recently, he was the junior varsity coach for the Plainsmen this past 2012-13 season. He's also served as an assistant coach for all 11 years with the LHS track and field squads and was an assistant this past fall for the cross country program.

In Spearfish, South Dakota Schmidt was the head girls basketball coach for 12 years, while he also served as a boys assistant for 10 years. He also coached track and field for 18 years and assisted football for one year. His one year stop in Moorcroft saw him lead the Lady Wolves basketball squad.

Laramie High School Principal Kim Sorenson released the following statement after our report, saying, "We are interviewing candidates for football and volleyball. Candidates are interviewed for both the sport and teaching position by interview teams at LHS. We have offered the AD position contingent upon Board approval. We will make an official announcement after next Wednesday's Board meeting, as has always been our practice."

KOWB did get a hold of Albany County School District Assistant Superintendent of Personnel and Quality Learning Mike Hamel, but he deferred comment to Mr. Sorenson.

Bruce Schmidt replaces Jeff Lewis in the role of AD. Lewis moved to the Director of Transportation position within the Albany County School District in December of 2012.