After more than nine years as the Brandon High School athletic director, Larry Lamphere is moving on to other challenges.
Lamphere has submitted his resignation to the Brandon School District effective Friday, March 3, and will be starting another job afterwards. He declined to comment on specifics regarding his new position.
The resignation came approximately a week after the Brandon Board of Education approved a resolution to consider non-renewal of the contracts of Lamphere and community education director June Wuopio. The board was scheduled to take a final vote on the matter at its April meeting.
Brandon Superintendent Tom Miller said at the time the athletic director’s position would be changed to part-time status and would be combined with additional responsibilities as an assistant high school principal.
In the meantime, Miller said he, along with the current Brandon High School administration, would oversee the athletic department’s operations.
‘Right now, we’re trying to find a replacement, at least temporarily, to monitor our athletic programs,? he said.
Lamphere said his resignation was the best thing for all concerned parties.
‘I feel it’s better for the school to find someone and get that person ready,? he said. ‘I found a job that I would like to do, and I want to get started, and they (his new employer) couldn’t wait until July 1 (the day after his contract with Brandon was scheduled to end).?
Lamphere, an alumnus of Central Michigan University, took the job at Brandon in November 1996. Prior to that, he was the Director of Athletics, Health and Safety and Building Usage at Lapeer Community Schools.?
Lamphere said he believes the athletic programs at Brandon have grown ‘significantly? in his tenure as Brandon AD.?
‘There’s more opportunities for kids,? he said. ‘People recognized that when you played Brandon, it wasn’t going to be an easy game. We played hard, and we were sportsmanlike in our conduct. Three years ago, we were in last place in the Flint Metro League all-sports standings. Last year, we finished in second place, and this year, we’re trying to take the trophy away from Fenton.?
As far as the coaches who worked with Lamphere at Brandon, he said he hopes they remember him as a friend, but also someone who was a leader and a boss, ‘someone that was consistent, worked hard, and gave them every tool I could get them to be successful.?
Overall, he’ll look back at Brandon with fond memories.
‘I really enjoyed my nine years, and I have no regrets with the job I did there,? he said.