Doug Tarring isn’t retiring, not by any means. He’s a part of the very fabric of St. Anne’s-Belfield, and that isn’t going to change despite his recent move to step down as athletic director at STAB.
“When you’re focused so intently on one particular area of the school, this gives me a chance to do some other things and yet still be involved in the athletic side,” Tarring said June 19 in a wide-ranging interview with Scrimmage Play. “My presence in the school — hopefully — will be something that the school can take advantage of in lots of different ways.”
Tarring has learned over the last few years how to adjust his role, and now he’s doing so again. After 32 years as the AD, Tarring is set to become an alumni relations officer and associate dean of student life in grades 5-12. The position is a natural fit for Tarring as he’ll be interacting with alumni that he’s coached or been an administrator for during their tenure while also continuing to forge the school’s current crop of students.
Tarring previously served as the head lacrosse coach for 31 years before stepping down after the 2009 season and went on to assume the role of junior varsity lacrosse coach to help continue impacting the program. That squad has posted a pair of unbeaten seasons the last two years.
Tarring’s transition should be eased by the presence of Kaye Henyon, STAB’s Coordinator of Athletic Operations and a critical part of the day-to-day operations of the school’s expansive athletic program.
“Of all the things that I will miss the most it’s the day-to-day contact with Kaye,” Tarring said. “She’s a loyal and trusted friend. I kiddingly say that Kaye is the only person who can read my mind and my handwriting. But I want to make sure that if I do nothing else (in my new role) I make time to visit with Kaye every day.”
We’ll have more on the myriad changes among athletic directors this year in the Summer print edition of Scrimmage Play, due out in July. Other athletic director changes include Rick Lilly’s departure from Charlottesville, Doug Smethurst stepping down at Covenant, John Thiel’s move from Woodberry Forest to Penn Charter, Missy Shores’ departure from Buckingham and Carl Frye’s retirement from his duties at Blue Ridge. Ed Dike will take over for Shores while Bill Ramsey replaces Carl Frye and Robert Harris steps into Lilly’s role.
