The McDonald County School District's choice for a new athletic director was not only an existing employee but also a graduate of McDonald County High School.
Bo Bergen, a 2009 graduate of MCHS, was named the school's new athletic director last week, following the resignation of Nick Martin in May.
After graduating from MCHS, Bergen attended Missouri Southern State University where he played baseball for four years before he graduated in 2014.
Following graduation, Bergen began working for the McDonald County School district as a special education teacher at the high school. The past two years, he has served as head of the special education department at MCHS. He has also been the pitching coach for the Mustang baseball team since his return to McDonald County.
Bergen said he is excited to get started, especially with the direction the athletic program is headed after the past three years under Martin.
"I feel like the direction the athletic programs are going makes me a good fit because I can grow with the programs," Bergen said. "Having a young guy with not a lot of experience could be looked as a negative, but I feel like it is a positive. From what I have heard by talking to the coaches in the district is they like the idea of a guy leading them that can grow with them and we can all work in a common direction."
Bergen said there are some exciting new additions coming to the athletic department, including turf at the football field and a new field house, but he is unsure of the time frame at this point. He said those improvements, plus filling the coaching vacancies for the 2018-2019 school year will take priority.
"There are a lot of conversations that need to be had on the specifics, but the bottom line is I am really, really excited about the additions," Bergen said. "I think they will fit right in with the direction we are going. I don't want to take any credit for getting these going, but having something to be proud of is something I want to be a part of.
Bergen said he also plans to bring some new ideas to the position, including developing a handbook for all athletes.
"Pending approval from the board, we are going to implement a new handbook for athletics," Bergen said. "We will have all the policies and expectations of athletes in one place. It will have the code of conduct, eligibility requirements and much more. It's going to have everything the athletes and parents need to know. It's going to be a valuable resource for everyone involved in athletics."
Bergen said he feels the coaching staff in place is a great asset for the district.
"We have a really good mix of older guys' experience and young guys with the motivation and energy they bring," Bergen said. "I think kids react well to young guys leading them, who have been where the kids are right now not that long ago. I think they really find value in that from my experience in coaching. It was not very long ago, I was in their shoes, and I think they really react well to that. They also react well to the energy the young coaches bring. You also have the older coaches who have been here awhile and can teach the kids about traditions and the right way of doing things. We have a good mix of coaches, and I am excited to work with them. I want it to be their teammate and not just their boss. This athletics department is growing and I am excited to be a part of it."
Bergen said the most pressing coaching position which needs to be filled is the head soccer coach due to the recent resignation of James Carter, the only soccer coach the district has had since the program was launched several years ago.
Bergen said he is appreciative of the administration and board for giving him this opportunity.
"I appreciate them taking a chance on me," Bergen said. "I feel that I am the most under-qualified A.D. in the nation, but I think they know I am going to work hard and do my very best. I'm deeply rooted in the community and want the best for the kids."
Sports on 06/21/2018