Written Wednesday July 1st at 7:55 PM
Updated Sunday July 5th at 7:04 PM
West Bloomfield has their new Athletic Director confirmed by both Tyler Kieft of Civic Center Television and a press release from West Bloomfield Community Schools.
Thomas Degrand has become the new Athletic Director at West Bloomfield. According to the press release, he is the Education Technology teacher and Middle School Wrestling Coach at West Bloomfield Middle School. Degrand takes over for longtime West Bloomfield Athletic Director Eric Pierce who announced his retirement in May. Pierce had been the Athletic Director at West Bloomfield since 2014 and according to the West Bloomfield School District, Pierce was a long-time teacher since 2001.
According to the press release, Degrand served on multiple roles in the West Bloomfield School District. Providing leadership and mentoring opportunities. As the middle school wrestling coach, he was able to expand student participation and led the Lakers Middle School program to county championships. His mentoring, passion for helping students, and deep love for the community appealed to the superintendent Dania Bazzi.
Degrand was also a member of the Michigan State Wrestling team from 1998-2000 according to the press release. While at MSU, he earned his bachelors in Elementary Education and his master's in teaching. He would also earn an educational leadership degree at Oakland University.
Degrand's first task as Athletic Director will likely be looking for a new boys basketball coach as Arnette Jordan stepped down a few weeks ago along with settling into his new role.
West Bloomfield competes in the OAA Red for Football, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, and Girls Volleyball. They will also compete in the Red this upcoming year in Wrestling. The Lakers also field strong programs in Baseball and Boys and Girls Track and Field. It will be interesting to see how West Bloomfield does with Degrand as the new Athletic Director.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
The Press Release
