New Director of Athletics Ms. Katie LaRue has more than thirteen years of experience in independent schools. Most recently, Ms. LaRue served as the athletics director at the Madeira School in McLean, Virginia, where she’s been since 2016.
Meet Our New Athletics Director
Katie LaRue
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your path before coming to Cannon. A: Well, back in school, I never thought I’d end up in education, and now here I am and I can’t imagine anything else. I love working with kids, I love their a-ha moments, and I love the team culture, so for me, independent school athletics is a perfect fit. Q: What kind of role do you think athletics plays in an independent school education, and why are sports important? A: Athletics is a unique venue that enhances and complements the academic experience, for a couple reasons. For many kids, it gives them an opportunity to develop and build confidence in a place other than the classroom. I also think it serves as a place to teach skills that are different than what you can learn in a classroom, such as allowing kids to find their leadership style. And it enhances teamwork. Even if you’re participating in an individualized sport, like tennis or swimming, you’re part of a team. There’s an element of learning from others. Q: What do you look for in a coach? A: I’ve learned so much in thirteen years as a coach regarding what’s important, and if kids love a coach, they’ll get so much more out of it. I’m looking for coaches who can create an environment where athletes
Prior to Madeira School, Ms. LaRue spent five years as the associate director of athletics, girls’ basketball coach, and volleyball coach at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania. Before that, she spent four years as the assistant athletics director and girls’ basketball coach at Asheville School. Ms. LaRue is a graduate of Charleston Southern University, where she played basketball and volleyball. She earned her MBA from Winthrop University.
feel loved, respected, and important, regardless of their skill level. I look for people who really care, and not just about winning or losing, but care about the student experience and how kids grow and evolve as both athletes and people. They’re excited about the kids who are already there, encourage them, and create an environment in which kids want to return. Q: How would you define athletic success? A: I think a team that has success reaches their potential or above, which I believe is a direct product of a good coach. We want teams who can compete—who can win, and also say, “We are competitors.’ I want our parents and other schools to look at our kids and know that they work hard. Sure, I’d like our teams to win championships…but not every team can do that. But if our kids are reaching their potential, getting better, and want to come back and play next year—then we’ve done our job. Q: What are you most looking forward to in regard to being part of our community? A: What did it for me (in saying yes to this job) was the way it felt when I was on campus. Just sitting around talking to the kids—they were really articulate, so clearly Cannon is doing all the right things. The community was welcoming, and they want athletics to succeed. The opportunity to partner with them is really exciting. Summer/Fall 2020 | CANNON | 25
