Matt Branding
By: Mike Gallagher
Sports Writer
CARO — After spending 17 years as a teacher at Caro High School, Matt Branding is making the jump to athletic director, replacing Jon Studley, as well as taking over the role of assistant principal.
“It’s incredible to have the opportunity to go in a completely different direction than teaching,” said Branding, formerly a social studies teacher at Caro. “Being able to jump in at a time when a lot of exciting things are happening for our school is great.
“With the bond that has been passed, there are a lot of decisions to be made across the board dealing with academics and athletics, so it’s an exciting time to be a part of it, and hopefully I can bring some of the knowledge that I have from being in the community for my entire life to help that process.”
Branding, who has had his administrative degree for over eight years, has spent time coaching the debate team, and AYSO soccer teams while at Caro, and will have to balance the large duties of athletic director and assistant principal at Caro, a Class B school with an enrollment of over 500 students.
“They are both going to be big roles,” stated Branding. “The only thing that I can do is learn from the people that have done the job before. I’ve been in great contact with former AD Jon Studley, and he’s been a big help. I’ve talked with Beth Striffler, who is a Caro resident, and had been the AD for a number of years before, and they’ve both been very helpful and very encouraging.
“On the assistant principal side of things, I’ve been working with (Caro principal) Steve Clark, which is going to as well because of his experience as a high school administrator. I’m definitely going to lean on those folks to help me with those things, and to make sure I’m guiding the programs in the right direction.”
One of the major parts of being an athletic director is making sure that your students not only stay eligible, but excel in the classroom, something that Branding is going to be focusing on.
“We’re academics first no doubt,” Branding said. “ Athletics is a pretty cool component because often times it can help kids because they have one more person that is looking out for them and helping them in school. If you look at our coaches, they’re all concerned about academics as well.”
Branding has been receiving support from many people at Caro High School, and from other local athletic directors.
“It’s been nice to walk into a job where people are happy that you are there, and are willing to help,” said Branding. “I’ve been receiving nothing but support from other athletic directors reaching out, and offering to help with anything. Everyone has been really good with supporting me and wishing me well and offering to help me in any way that they can.”
The football program at Caro has been a topic of discussion at the high school, and around the community after the season was cancelled last year following the Tigers sixth game. Branding feels that the program is heading in the right direction, and credits head coach Todd Topham with helping to keep the program together.
“Ending the season last year was unfortunate, but it was necessary once we started looking at the ages of the kids and the positions that they would be in,” Branding said. “It wasn’t an easy choice, and there were some that were unhappy with it, but many overwhelmingly thought that it was the way to go.
“Coach Topham is phenomenal as far as what he is able to do with the kids. He’s able to keep in close contact with them, and he’s been able to work with Mission One Crossfit, so the kids have been bonding well, and working out since last fall. He’s really built a tight core group of kids, who I think are going to help bring the program back, and be able to solidify the program, and I attribute that to coach Topham.”
Branding wanted to thank superintendent Mike Joslyn for the opportunity, along with his family.
“My family is going to have to make some sacrifices when it comes to time, so I definitely need to thank them in advance,” said Branding, who is eager to start his new roles.
“There’s something to be said about being able to do something different in life.”
Mike Gallagher is a sports writer for the Advertiser, and can be reached at sports@tcadvertiser.com