Webberville Welcomes a New Assistant Principal-Athletic Director
By: Barbara Weathers
Webberville is ready to welcome another new face to town as Bruce Mann prepares to assume the roles of assistant principal and athletic director at Webberville Community Schools. Mann will work with Principal Brian Friddle at the secondary building, and will be the athletic director for the district. In addition, Mann will be the head varsity football coach.
Mann comes to Webberville from Shelby, MI, which is located on the west side of the state between Ludington and Muskegon. He is currently a math and science teacher in Shelby, in addition to being the head football coach. Asked why he was making the move to Webberville, Mann stated, “My dream has always been to be an athletic director and a head football coach and Webberville is offering me that opportunity. Webberville is committed to creating excellence in every aspect of the school district, and I want to be a part of that vision.”
Mann will take over the role of assistant principal/athletic director from Greg Glover who currently holds that position. Glover stepped into the assistant principal-athletic director role a year ago to assist Friddle who was new to the district. Glover welcomed the chance to work in administration, but knew that it would be a temporary assignment for him. “My heart and passion is in teaching. While I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with Brian and the rest of the administration team, I miss being a teacher and the day to day interaction with the students. I am excited about Bruce stepping in as assistant principal and athletic director because I know that he will take our program to the next level of excellence.”
Mann has met with many coaches and is setting forth his goals for the coaches and student athletes. “The first thing I would like to do is review the athletic code and the coaches’ handbook. We need to make sure that everyone involved in our program has a firm grasp of our expectations of them both as a coach and as an athlete.” commented Mann, “I also want to make sure that the goals for our PE classes, athletic program, and the community recreation program are consistent. Many of our students are multi-sport athletes and if they go from sport to sport, it is important that we are preparing our athletes to move consistently between sports and have them prepared for each season.” Mann was asked what the first thing that he will work on in his role as athletic director and head football coach will be. “I have a saying that I use with my current football team, and that is ‘character first’. Wins and losses will come with great character. I will also strive for no ineligibilities among our students, academic excellence, and we will win or lose together as a team.”
In addition to the athletic director position, and assuming leadership of the football team, Mann will be the assistant principal at the secondary building. “I will be there to assist Mr. Friddle in several areas. I will help with discipline and work to raise expectations of what is expected of our students. I also hope to work as a mentor to new teachers and assist in casting the vision for the district.”
Mann has been in education for six years. Before becoming a teacher, he spent six years in the military. His Navy background includes two years in military education and several years on a special operations submarine. Mann played college football at Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois, where he was a four-year starter at inside linebacker. His senior year his football team won the national championship and he received All-American honors. Mann, his wife Michelle, and their two children, Bruce III, 7 years old, and Megan, 4 years old, are hoping to move to Webberville by the end of May. Mann would like to spend the summer in Webberville to get acquainted with the school, the students, and the community.