PRESCOTT – Andrew Caudill has been working as the new Prescott High School activities and athletics director since July 1. In his short time at the new job, Caudill has met with coaches and students, reviewed the activities code, and come up with a plan to increase student involvement in extracurricular activities throughout this upcoming year.

Before being hired as PHS’ 'new AD, Caudill worked in academic administration at the University of Nevada with a focus on athletics. His new position, previously held by Matt Smith, had been combined with the assistant principal’s role at PHS. When Smith submitted his resignation, the PHS administration took the opportunity to split the role into two positions: An AD and a Dean of Students, which will be held by Rick Montreal.

Caudill, who grew up in Union Grove, Wis., spoke on what appealed to him to apply for the position.

“I wanted to be a high school AD in the state of Wisconsin and I got my bachelor's from UW-La Crosse. I like western Wisconsin and so I was searching and just kept my eye out for something that would be a good fit. Prescott came up, I went for it and it worked out,” said Caudill.

Josh Fiege, principal of Prescott High School, spoke on why the administration decided to hire Caudill for the role.

“Mr. Caudill had experience both at a high school level and numerous years of college experience working in athletics and academics,” Fiege said. “Mr. Caudill's breadth of experiences allowed him to approach many of our priority items from a new, creative lens. He also emphasized the desire and need to elevate not only athletics but also the arts and extra-curricular activities for students.”

Caudill’s role in collegiate athletics varies from the responsibilities that he will have daily at PHS as the activities and athletics director. However, Caudill hopes to bring parts of his experience from his previous role into his new job.

“For me, most of what I did was working directly with the student athletes. Every day, every minute, I was having contact with a student. So I've gotten to know students, I've gotten to know their needs, their desires for the experience, and seeing what students went through at the collegiate level, I'm able to bring that to our level to help our students as they're progressing through high school. To get ready for what that next level brings, especially if those students are going to pursue any athletic endeavors at the next level. Whether it's Division Three, or they’re going to play a scholarship somewhere, or Division one or two a walk on, I do have that level of knowledge and expertise to lend to that process for them,” said Caudill.

As PHS and all other K-12 schools across the country prepare for classes to resume in person for the fall, this also provides hope for students to return to extracurricular activities they could not participate in last year due to distance learning. Caudill expects that many student activities aside from sports will have a reset this upcoming fall and wants to know where students' interest will be across PHS.

“We want to make sure that what we are offering students what they are interested in. If there's something that they want that we're not offering, how can we get that happening? Athletics is a little harder to maneuver because we fall under the WIAA and can't just create athletics at the same time you want it. We want to be a part of creating opportunities at the club level. It's really kind of an open slate of opportunities for our students that will see where their interests land going into the school year,” said Caudill.

Fiege also shared what he hopes for Caudill to accomplish as the school’s new activities and athletics director.

“I think one of the things I am most excited about is his commitment to expanding the opportunities for our students,” Fiege said. “We have talked about expanding our club offerings, as well as starting intramural activities for students.”

Going into this new job, Caudill shared what is most important to him during his daily schedule.

“I just have a love of working with students and whether it's high school or college, they are students and helping them to get to where they want to be in life for the next level. I think that's important to me,” he said.