Berkshire has filled two coaching vacancies in two of its major boys varsity programs, pending school board approval in July.
Ryan Dickard has been hired as the new varsity boys basketball coach, replacing Keith Clapacs. Dickard’s experience made him an attractive candidate, said Berkshire Athletic Director Brian Hiscox.
“For a young guy to have the experience that he has coaching at the varsity level, when you think about that, we’re really happy to have him,” Hiscox said.
Dickard, 29, graduated from West Geauga in 2007 and played under Chad Frazier. He started under former West Geauga coach John Cardiero before coaching under Josh Jakacki, formerly at Kenston, and Jeff Javorek, the current Wolverines coach.
He takes over a team that won just two games last season.
“The kids have a good work ethic,” Dickard said. “We’re going to stress fundamentals, and have a free-flowing offense. There will be some things on offense they will be expected to know. And defense will be full court.”
Dickard teaches middle school math at Euclid, and lives in Willoughby.
Longtime Berkshire assistant Dave List will help Dickard with his transition. List will be the head boys eighth grade coach at Berkshire.
“Ryan came in and laid out a plan for how he wants to build a program — which was from the (recreation) basketball leagues all the way up,” Hiscox said. “He was an impressive candidate.”
Soccer also gets new leadership this year.
Nick Fejedelem was hired to teach seventh grade science at Berkshire. Then Hiscox called him for an interview for the boys varsity soccer job.
Hiscox said the Badgers have struggled with roster numbers in Berkshire’s boys soccer program, so having that coach inside a Berkshire building will be valuable.
“Just sitting down with him for 30 minutes and asking him his plan, we knew he could be in contact with those kids everyday,” Hiscox said. “This will be the first coach we’ve had in the building for at least a decade.”
Dallas Provost was head coach at Berkshire the two prior seasons.
On Monday morning, Fejedelem, a 2012 Crestwood graduate who excelled in three sports, had his first summer two-a-day practice with the Badgers. He played soccer at Hiram College, and coached the last two seasons as an assistant at Crestwood.
“Ultimately I want to build this program to be something greater than it already is,” he said. “When you hear Berkshire soccer, I want people to know we mean business. I want to build on that foundation that is already in place.”
The Badgers had about 18 players in the program last season. Fejedelem expects a similar number, but would like to eventually see a junior varsity team take hold.
“Not only is it important for us to progress into a winner, but I want us to be a tight-knit family together — a united force. When November rolls around, I want kids to still be touching the ball for year-round training.”