Hopewell Athletics
Former Hopewell A.D. Don Short Remaining with District for 2024-25 Year in Consulting Role
It appears as though long-time Hopewell Athletic Director Don Short will remain with the district this upcoming school year but in a different capacity.
Tonight, the Hopewell School Board will vote on hiring Mr. Short in a consulting role for the athletic directors and school trainers’ position for the 2024-25 school year. As things currently stand both jobs are still vacant as the district looks to hire full-time employees.
Prior to him leaving for the A.D. job at Winchester Thurston, much speculation centered around John Rosa also eventually being hired as Hopewell’s athletic director to replace Short.
That obviously didn’t happen, and the district is seemingly back at step one in the process.
Hopewell Sports Nation reached out to Hopewell School Superintendent Dr. Jeff Beltz for a statement and clarification on this situation.
“Don Short will be serving in a consultative role remotely for new athletic director and trainer positions which amounts to $125/week. Don is also continuing to work for the district intermittently. In fact, the WPIAL released winter wrestling schedules today, and Don jumped right in and started scheduling those events from his new home in Florida.”
“We are grateful to have Don accessible and supporting Hopewell while we work through hirings and transitions, but no one should be surprised at his willingness to help. It is a small compensation amount to assist the district for the 2024-25 school year. Each season brings on new challenges that Don has knowledge of for both AD and trainer.”
Before retiring from the district at the beginning of the month. Mr. Short had been the Hopewell Area School District’s athletic trainer since 1989 and its athletic director since 2002.
