March 28, 2024

Swink settling in as PCM’s full-time Activities Director

Jeremy Swink started as PCM High School’s Activities Director on July 1. And he’s going to give himself some time to formulate his own opinions on where the school is at from an activities standpoint.

“It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for me to come in and change everything Day 1,” Swink said. “I really want to take a seat back and look at what’s working, what isn’t working and what can we do differently. I will formulate those evaluations and figure out how I can better the programs in any way, shape or form.”

The AD position at PCM is transitioning into a full-time job. Greg Bonnett, the school’s previous AD, remains head football coach but will move to a full-time role as a physical education teacher.

One of Swink’s jobs as new AD will be evaluating coaches after each season. That will be one of the roles of PCM’s Activities Director moving forward.

“My Master’s program involved an evaluator’s certificate,” Swink said. “There will be an evaluation of coaches on an annual basis. I did that at Fort Madison, too, so that’s something I’m familiar with and I know it’s something they were looking for with the hire.”

Swink comes to PCM after serving as Fort Madison’s AD for about three or four years. Before that, Swink was the AD at Burlington Notre Dame for three or four years.

Swink grew up in Burlington and was a graduate of Burlington High School where he was a five-sport athlete. His golf career extended to college. He played at both Ellsworth Community College and William Penn University.

At Burlington Notre Dame, Swink coached two or three sports and was the high school and junior high PE teacher while holding down duties as the school’s AD. He coached a little bit at Fort Madison, too.

“Here at PCM, I won’t be coaching at this time,” Swink said. “I wouldn’t be against it, but when you’re wearing multiple hats something gets shortsighted. I at least want to dedicate my time right away to all of our programs, our coaches, our kids and our parents.

“We include those fine arts, too. Those will be under my supervision as well.”

Swink has been on the job for about three weeks. He’s doing the best he can to get acquainted with his coaches and the facilities and figuring out how things work at PCM.

“I’m getting settled in. Like any new position, it’s busy,” Swink said. “You have people pulling you in a lot of different directions, but that’s to be expected. It’s been a good transition. I’m really excited to be here at PCM and to be hitting the ground running.”

When asked about goals and the future of PCM’s activities, Swink was unsure how to respond to the question. The answer will come as he continues to get settled in.

Swink did mention potential upgrades to the baseball field and weight room. Those are just a few things he has recognized so far.

“It’s an ongoing process,” Swink said. “It’s nice to be able to focus all of my time and energy to just being an AD. Our baseball field needs some TLC. We are transitioning to be able to keep up with facility upgrades. Those are conversations I haven’t quite gotten to yet, but I know if you don’t stay on top of facilities it’s going to overwhelm you sooner or later.”

Swink said the middle school gymnasium recently got a paint job and new bleachers. It will be functional to host some lower-level high school games if needed.

“Something we need to take a look at is the weight room,” Swink said. “A new gym at some point and a fine arts auditorium is needed, too.”

In the short-term, Swink wants to put the athletes and coaches in the best position to be successful.

“That is some strategic planning between me and the coaches about our offseason workouts and some preparations for in-season stuff,” Swink said. “Those are some of the conversations I will have with our staff. I want to be as integrated into the community as I possibly can, too. That’s a key piece for people to buy into what I’m doing.”

Fall practices for football, volleyball and cross country officially begin August 9.

The Mustangs are still without a head volleyball coach. Swink said they continue to put out feelers for the position.

Mike Vittetoe has been leading the program the past few seasons and will continue to do so if Swink is unable to find a new head coach.