Bedford athletic director heading to Aurora

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by Brent Hovey

Reporter

Bedford -- Paul Powers, Bedford High School athletic director for the last 10 years, is headed to Aurora High School where he will succeed a legend.

At the end of this school year, Dick Bliss will step down as Aurora's athletic director after 37 years. Powers was hired to a two-year contract and will take over Aug. 1, making $89,000 a year.

Powers was named to the athletic director/facilities manager position at the Aurora Board of Education's April 28 meeting.

The Bedford Board of Education has not approved a new athletic director. Its next meeting is May 5.

Powers has 15 years of experience as an athletic director. He was been with Bedford schools since 1998. At Bedford he is director of athletics, student activities and special events.

From 1993 to 1998, he was athletic director with West Geauga schools.

Powers called the decision to leave Bedford "very tough," but is excited about coming to a new school.

"I've enjoyed my 10 years with the Bedford district, but I realize that joining the Aurora district will allow me many opportunities to grow as an athletic administrator," he said.

"I am very excited about my new position and look forward to collaborating with the fine Aurora staff as we work together to enhance the excellent programs already established here," he said.

Aurora Superintendent Russ Bennett said Powers is "considered one of the best in Northeast Ohio" and Aurora will be "very fortunate" to have him.

"Mr. Powers comes highly recommended from many sources and he is the kind of person we want to lead our athletic program," Bennett said. "He can build on the success achieved by Dick Bliss."

Powers said the success of any athletic program is determined by the relationships between those involved. By having open relationships with those people, Powers said he knows he can continue Aurora's success.

"I would like to take the athletic programs to the next level," he said. "This can only be accomplished by remaining student-centered and by striving for excellence, every day.

"I am fortunate to follow Dick Bliss into this office," he said. "He is a well-respected athletic administrator and I'm grateful for his leadership in this transition."

During his 10 years in Bedford, Powers has been a driving force not only in competition but hosting premiere high school sporting events including numerous football playoff games at Bearcat Stadium.

"I'd like to thank the Bedford schools for allowing me to grow as an athletic administrator," he said.

"I've enjoyed hosting the Ohio High School Athletic Association's football playoff games at Bearcat Stadium," he said.

"I enjoyed being 'Proud To Be a Bearcat' while working in the district for the past 10 years," he said.

"I hope I have left the programs in better shape by changing the public's perception of them," he said. "The Bedford administrative team, faculty, staff, students and parents have been wonderful."

More than 110 people applied for the Aurora job, according to Bennett, and Powers had to survive two rounds of interviews.

The first was with a group of community members, students, coaches and administrators.

Round 2 was with two Board of Education members and two administrators.

"What was nice was after both rounds was that Mr. Powers was the No. 1 candidate on everyone's list," said Bennett.

E-mail: bhovey@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3155