Rod Mergardt Named Interim Director of Phys. Ed, Health and Athletics by Rye City School District

The Rye City School District Tuesday named Gerard “Rod” Mergardt as Interim Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics, officials announced. Mergardt will begin his new role on July 1, and will serve while the district continues its search for a permanent director.

He replaces Rob Castagna, who is leaving at the end of the school year to pursue other professional endeavors.

Mergardt has served as an interim AD for five New York and Connecticut school districts since retiring in 1996 after 26 years as Athletic Director of the Bedford Central School District.

“In his 52 years in public education, Rod Mergardt has 34 years of experience in the field of athletic administration,” said Superintendent Frank Alvarez in a statement. “We are very happy to have him join the Garnet family.”

Added Mergardt, “I am honored to lead the Rye City School District Department of Athletics during this transitional period. The focus of the department will continue to be on the success of our students, both on and off the field.”

Prior to coming to Rye, Mergardt served as interim Athletic Director in the Tuckahoe, Ridgefield, Tarrytown, Byram Hills and Mamaroneck school districts. He was also Adjunct Professor of Sport Law at Manhattanville College and Supervisor of Undergraduate Physical Education student teachers at SUNY Cortland. Prior to retiring in 1996, he was the Director of Health, Physical Education & Athletics for the Bedford Central School District, and a Physical Education Teacher and Coach in Bedford for 5 years prior to that.

Mergardt has coached boy’s football and wrestling and boy’s and girl’s track & field, gymnastics, and swimming & diving.

He has a BA in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland, an MA in Physical Education from the University of Bridgeport, a degree in Athletic Administration from NYU, and additional study in School Administration at Southern Connecticut State University and State University College in New Paltz.

Patch file photo.