To the editor:

The Sept. 20 edition of the Daily News carried an article announcing the appointment of a new Athletic Director for the Dowagiac Schools.

I was very pleased to see that Brent Nate was recommended and that he has accepted the position.

Brent was an excellent student/athlete here in Dowagiac during his youth and has been a successful teacher and coach in a neighboring school district for a number of years.

While it appears that this may be his first venture into the field of administration, his previous experiences all point to the fact that the district’s athletic programs will be in good hands with Brent at the helm.

There is little doubt that when this position was posted, other talented and capable people submitted their applications for consideration, as well.

School Athletic Director positions are very attractive, especially for those interested in working their way up the administrative ladder.

I am sure that the search committee had a sizeable task in sorting through resumes, streamlining the field, interviewing and eventually reaching a decision.

Brent’s people skills and career background certainly helped to serve him well during this process.

However, Brent possessed one additional attribute that set him apart from many of the other candidates.

Not only was he highly trained and skilled, but he was already one of us.

He grew up here; attended school here; wore the “orange and black” on our athletic fields; and, as a husband and father, has continued to live here and raise his family.

In short, he’s a Dowagiac Chieftain and he has “dug in.”

He understands what this community is … and what it isn’t.

Yet, he is willing to “roll up his sleeves” and work toward making it the best it can be because very simply, it’s his town, too.

He understands that the success of the school district and the welfare of the community are not mutually exclusive.

I am encouraged by the search committee’s recommendation in selecting someone who is not only qualified, but who has ownership in this community.

Someone who the rest of us can call with a question and “put a face with” during this age of automated telephone systems.

Someone who wants what’s best for kids in our schools because his own children will be attending them some day.

Someone who doesn’t have to be “sold” on Dowagiac.

There’s nothing wrong with looking elsewhere for the next teacher, coach or administrator.

People who come from other places bring different experiences and perspectives with them.

I was fortunate to be one of those people many years ago. But that was a different time.

The district hired over 30 new teachers that year.

The school enrollment was growing; there was a shortage of teachers; and this town had enough professional people and skilled workers pitching in to keep it strong and stable.

As educators, it was only important that we do our jobs well.

It wasn’t even suggested to us to get involved.

As we continue to watch the everchanging landscape of our communities, I would think these days it would be a requirement.

Max Sala

Dowagiac