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Patrick Jones to Succeed Longtime AD Joan Samonisky
Patrick Jones will serve as Sanford’s next Director of Athletics. Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in teaching and coaching as well as extensive leadership experience to the Sanford Athletic Department.
Jones is a graduate of Ithaca College where he was captain of the men’s basketball team. He received his master’s degree in education from The State University of New York at Cortland. Jones most recently served as the Athletic Director at The Tatnall School and is one of only several NIAAA Certified Master Athletic Administrators in the state of Delaware.
Prior to moving to Delaware, Jones was an athletic director, teacher, and coach in Raleigh, North Carolina where he was voted Teacher of the Year at the school where he taught elementary physical education and was then selected as a semi-finalist for Wake County Teacher of the Year. He was also voted Wake County Special Olympics Coach of the Year. Jones won two North Carolina Independent School State Championships in girls’ basketball and was named the Coach of the Year.
Jones and his wife, Elizabeth, are parents of Claire, a current student-athlete at Cornell University, and Rhys, a high school senior at Christchurch School in Christchurch, Virginia.
Jones will succeed Joan Samonisky, who has served as Sanford’s Athletic Director since 1988. Samonisky is the longest-tenured athletic director currently active in Delaware schools. To ensure a smooth transition, Jones will begin his new role on April 1, 2022. This timing will allow Samonisky and Jones to collaborate prior to Samonisky’s retirement at the end of June.
Regarding Samonisky's departure and Jones' new role, Head of School Mark Anderson shared: "Joan's retirement is bittersweet for Sanford and for me. Joan has made countless contributions to our school. While I will miss Joan's leadership, I am happy that she can spend more time with her family and embrace new adventures. I’m also pleased that we have found a new director of athletics whose talent, philosophy, and strategies will allow us to continue strengthening Warrior sports. Patrick Jones is an outstanding addition to our leadership team and the Sanford community."
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Prior to moving to Delaware, Jones was an athletic director, teacher, and coach in Raleigh, North Carolina where he was voted Teacher of the Year at the school where he taught elementary physical education and was then selected as a semi-finalist for Wake County Teacher of the Year. He was also voted Wake County Special Olympics Coach of the Year. Jones won two North Carolina Independent School State Championships in girls’ basketball and was named the Coach of the Year.
Jones and his wife, Elizabeth, are parents of Claire, a current student-athlete at Cornell University, and Rhys, a high school senior at Christchurch School in Christchurch, Virginia.
Jones will succeed Joan Samonisky, who has served as Sanford’s Athletic Director since 1988. Samonisky is the longest-tenured athletic director currently active in Delaware schools. To ensure a smooth transition, Jones will begin his new role on April 1, 2022. This timing will allow Samonisky and Jones to collaborate prior to Samonisky’s retirement at the end of June.
Regarding Samonisky's departure and Jones' new role, Head of School Mark Anderson shared: "Joan's retirement is bittersweet for Sanford and for me. Joan has made countless contributions to our school. While I will miss Joan's leadership, I am happy that she can spend more time with her family and embrace new adventures. I’m also pleased that we have found a new director of athletics whose talent, philosophy, and strategies will allow us to continue strengthening Warrior sports. Patrick Jones is an outstanding addition to our leadership team and the Sanford community."
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