“WARRIOR” FOR THE DIOCESE

By Karen Ridder

Joe Monachino stepped down as principal of St. Pius X High School at the end of the 2022-2023 school year and is stepping into a new role as Director of Athletic Programs for the Catholic Schools Office.

This is the first time the diocesan office will have a Director of Athletics. Superintendent Karen Kroh says the retirement of Vincent Fitzgerald as director of the Parochial League provided a natural transition point to make the change.

“We wanted the opportunity to expand and build on the foundation of the Parochial League and to integrate the vision of our Catholicity across all of our sporting activities in the diocese,” said Kroh.

Transitioning the Parochial League leadership to the Catholic Schools Office is a way to maximize resources and fulfill the office’s mission to provide faithbased activities for youth in the diocese.

Though he has been serving as a Principal, at heart Monachino has always been a coach. He sees athletics as an integral part of Catholic education. In school, he understands athletic participation is often what keeps kids motivated.

“You can learn so much in sports and through sports. That avenue for kids has got to be there. It is such an important part of growing up. I want to make sure that is still there for kids in our grade schools especially,” said Monachino.

The transition is a big change for Monachino, who graduated from St. Pius X High School in 1981 and returned in a faculty position to the school after college. For 37 years, he served St. Pius X as teacher, coach and administrator.

“It was not an easy decision, but the timing seemed good. It’s a different challenge and hopefully I can set this up for years to come,” said Monachino.

Kroh says the goal of adding a Director of Athletics for the diocese is to provide a coordinated faith first effort in local Catholic sports programs. That includes better faith-based connections for coaches and athletes.

“Everything that we do is centered around our faith. While a coach in another position is going to receive coaching support, he (Monachino) is also going to bring in that spiritual component to their training,” said Kroh.

As Catholic teams, representing Catholic schools, Kroh also believes kids should be getting more. An Athletic Director position will help create efforts to help teams support each other in the faith.

“The players are also spiritually a team for one another and can help one another grow in their faith and service to others. We’re going to focus on things like: Do the teams pray together? Do they go to Mass together? How do they serve together?” said Kroh.

Monachino will hit the ground running with logistics for fall Parochial League programs. In planning for new ways to coordinate athletic opportunities across the diocese, Kroh said Monachino already has an advantage.

“We are really blessed. He knows so many people already. Joe is a people person first and foremost. He loves athletics. I think people will find him very open and welcoming and a good representative to help not only with the big things but the little things that happen day to day,” said Kroh.

Monachino says as he enters his new role, he wants to thank his supporters at St. Pius X.

“I’m going to miss St. Pius X. I’ve grown up there. It’s been an important part of our lives. We raised our kids there. The kids, parents, teachers and staff are great. The alums are awesome. It’s been a great place to be,” said Monachino.

You can learn so much in sports and through sports. That avenue for kids has got to be there. It is such an important part of growing up. I want to make sure that is still there for kids in our grade schools especially.

Bishop James Johnston blesses a newly intalled first-class relic from Blessed Carlo Acutis now hanging at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.