Athletic Director Press Release

Dr. Steven A. Hiersche, Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Michael A. Lahiff as the Director of Athletics.

Mr. Lahiff holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Springfield College, a Master of Education Degree in Education/Physical Education from Boston College and a Master of Education Degree in Education/School Administration from Salem State College.  From 1979 -1989, Mr. Lahiff was employed by the Stoneham Public Schools as a Health and Physical Education Teacher.  He served as Department Chairperson for Health and Physical Education from 1989 – 1994 for the Somerville Public Schools.  Since, 1994, Mr. Lahiff has served as Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics for the Stoneham Public Schools.

Mr. Lahiff is the senior Athletic Director in The Middlesex League.  He is also the past president of the Middlesex League and its present treasurer.  Mr. Lahiff serves on the MIAA Basketball and Baseball Committees.  He is the recipient of the 2006 MSSADA President’s Award of Merit and in 2003 he received the District B Athletic Director of the Year Award.

As a Basketball Coach he was named the Boston Globe Division III Coach of the Year in 1989 as well as twice being named the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches’ Association Division III Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1989.

Mr. Lahiff’s appointment is a result of a process that began with 31 applicants for the position.  There was a Screening Committee that included parents, community members, School Committee, coaches, and administrators.  They moved three strong candidates forward as finalists.  Mr. Lahiff, Mr. Kevin O’Brien, presently a Professional Baseball Scout and Mr. John Pepi, Director of Athletics for the Worcester Public Schools.

Athletic Director Search Update

A screening committee has been finalized for the Athletic Director position.   Resume review has begun at Central Office and we will have a short list to discuss with the committee.

This is a confidential process until we have publicly named finalists we will maintain the confidentiality of those who have submitted resumes. Confidentiality is highly important – candidates are interviewing Watertown as much as we are interviewing them and how we conduct our process will be important to how candidates will view this opportunity.

We will have an orientation meeting next week wherein we discuss the position and the knowledge, skills, abilities, traits, and beliefs in which we are interested for this position and interviews will be scheduled for the week thereafter.

It is out hope to have finalists to be named by the second week of May.