Athletic director steps down at New Philadelphia
Tim Fortney
New Philadelphia is looking for a new athletic director as Tim Fortney, who is in his fourth year in the role with the district, will return to the classroom at New Philadelphia City Schools.
Fortney was board approved Monday night to move into Welty Middle School as a sixth grade math teacher.
“Tim Fortney has done an incredible job here as athletic director for New Philadelphia. His strong leadership, character and vision for the importance of education-based athletics will be missed,” said Amy Wentworth, superintendent. “Our next athletic director will certainly have big shoes to fill.”
Fortney took over the director position in 2021 after seven years as athletic director and math teacher at Coshocton City Schools. Fortney obtained his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ohio State University and his master’s degree in education from Muskingum University.
Prior to becoming New Philadelphia athletic director, he had 20 years of experience teaching math and 20 years of experience coaching football, track and baseball.
“I want to thank Mrs. Wentworth, Mr. Williams and our entire administrative team for all of their support during my time as athletic director,” Fortney said. “It’s a great job, but I just thought it was time to transition back into a role at New Philadelphia that is more conducive for my family. I am looking forward to getting back into the classroom to work with kids again, and I also look forward to getting back into coaching.”
In his four years as New Philadelphia athletic director, Fortney was a part of establishing several updates and changes while directing an athletic department made up of more than 450 athletes and 70 coaches. He was a firm believer in education-based high school athletics as an extension of the classroom for all the Quaker students and implemented quarterly student-athlete recognitions at board of education meetings.
He was a proponent of establishing a weight room at the high school for all the student-athletes, especially trying to create structure for multi-sport athletes and female athletes to have access to systematic strength and conditioning programming.
Fortney led the New Philadelphia sports teams through the transition process to the Ohio Cardinal Conference and initiated the process to get students engaged in the OCC Leadership and Sportsmanship Program. He promoted New Philadelphia’s facilities by hosting multiple OHSAA neutral site tournaments including regional football, district soccer, district volleyball, district basketball and district baseball.
He also collaborated on major facility projects at the high school weight room, high school gym and locker room, Quaker Stadium, Quaker Dome, and Southside Community Park.
“I can’t thank our bus drivers, ticket workers, scoreboard staff and facility people enough for all they do to help run our athletic events and take care of our kids. I would also like to give a special thanks to the Quaker Club, Quaker Ladies, Annie Dalpiaz and Rod Miller for all they have done to teach me the New Philadelphia way. We have great teachers, great coaches and, even more importantly, great kids at New Philadelphia, and I look forward to the bright future ahead at Quaker Nation,” Fortney said.