MOUNT VERNON — When Mount Vernon High School athletic teams open competition in the 2008-09 school year, there will be a new person at the top of Bulldog athletics for the first time in a dozen years.
Eric Monson will resign the athletic director portion of his job, effective at the end of June. Already an assistant principal, Monson will be taking over additional duties in that capacity.
“I love athletics, so it’s tough that way, but at the same time I’ve had a great time,” Monson said. “It’s been a very good experience here. The people have been very supportive. It’s time for someone else to have that experience.”
Monson has been at the helm of the Bulldog athletic department for the past 12 years.
“He’s the only athletic director I’ve ever known since I became a coach,” Mount Vernon boys’ basketball coach Torey Swanson said. “I was lucky to get an opportunity from him. He helped me become a better coach, allowed me to do my own thing, to make mistakes and learn from them, and I appreciated that.”
During Monson’s time as athletic director, he oversaw the installation of a new track and a Field Turf playing surface at the school, as well as the closing of the old stadium. Bulldog teams also won state championships in boys’ basketball (2001) and girls’ soccer (1997).
In that span, the school moved from Class 3A to Class 4A for five years, then back to Class 3A before the start of the 2006-07 school year. Mount Vernon also moved from the Northwest 3A League to the Western Conference 4A North Division then down to the Northwest Conference.
“He’s been very good for Mount Vernon athletics,” Bulldog girls’ basketball coach Scott Stromer said. “He’s been around athletics his entire life. He’s been dedicated. It’s going to be very, very strange to not have him be in that capacity.”
The school has put together a panel of 20, which has interviewed four potential replacements.
“We had some candid and frank discussions,” said Swanson, one of the panel members. “We want to make the best choice for Mount Vernon High School.”
As for Monson, this will be the first athletic decision in many years he won’t influence.
“I’m not going to be involved,” Monson said. “It would not be appropriate.”
• Eric Francis can be reached at 360-416-2131 or by e-mail at
