Canandaigua has a new athletic director. Caroline Chapman was appointed to the role Director of Athletics and Communications, becoming the first female since the school was founded in 1791.
Chapman is a graduate of Geneva High School and William Smith College, and has been with the Canandaigua school district since 2005. She began her career as a social studies teacher, before transitioning into various coaching and administrative roles. Chapman has been the Director of Communications for the district for the past five years.
Chapman’s appointment follows the retirement of Jim Simmons, who served as the school’s Athletic Director for the past 21 years. Before Simmons, Mike Foster had been the Athletic Director since 1979.
Chapman is excited to take on her new role, stating that “Canandaigua has such a strong tradition of excellence in athletics. There is such great support from the district and the community, this is the perfect place to be an athletic director.”
Chapman’s father, Carl Wenzel, was the longtime boys basketball coach at Geneva High School, and her mother, Ann Wenzel, was a physical education teacher at Waterloo. Chapman herself won 11 varsity letters in soccer, basketball, and track and field during her time at Geneva High School, and went on to play soccer at William Smith College, where she helped the Herons reach the 2002 NCAA Division III semifinals.
As the new Director of Athletics and Communications, Chapman’s focus will be on connecting with students and ensuring that coaches and athletes have the support they need to focus on their sports. She is also committed to providing opportunities for student-athletes of all ability levels.
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