Apr 16, 2015 3 min read

NEW EAGLE – Laura Grimm was searching for an opportunity to break into athletic administration since earning her master’s degree two years ago.

Her patience paid off Wednesday night.

Grimm, who was Ringgold’s varsity girls basketball coach the past two seasons, was promoted to the position of athletic director. She was hired by an 8-0 vote and given a three-year contract.

“It was surreal. I felt confident and that I had as good a chance as anybody, but it ultimately comes down to the vote,” Grimm said. “My final interview was Monday, and I was happy they made a decision (Wednesday). It was two days of waiting and I was almost stir crazy. I was very thankful, and I’m very eager to get started now that I know it’s official.”

Grimm, 26, will be paid $50,000 in her first year of leading the district’s athletic programs, Ringgold Superintendent Karen Polkabla said.

“We’re excited to have her,” Polkabla said. “I think she is going to bring a new dynamic to our athletic programs.”

Grimm, of Pittsburgh, replaces Ron McMichael, whose contract was not renewed in February.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., and a masters in sports management from California University of Pennsylvania in 2013. Grimm earned a Division I scholarship to Colgate for basketball after achieving the distinction of Associated Press Pennsylvania Player of the Year as a senior at Serra Catholic High School in 2005 and led the Eagles to their first PIAA title. Injuries limited Grimm in college, but her time of the court revealed a love for coaching. After returning to Western Pennsylvania, Grimm was an assistant coach at Serra and Baldwin before being hired as the Rams’ head coach.

In two seasons leading Ringgold’s program, Grimm coached the Rams to the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs twice and a 26-21 record with three postseason wins.

Though she is “thrilled” with her new position, Grimm’s status as girls basketball coach is uncertain.

“We’re still trying to finalize the details on that,” Grimm said.

She is the first female athletic diretor at Ringgold, which has a long history of success in athletics. When the district began seeking a new athletic director, participation was a major topic of discussion, especially in female sports. In a softball loss to Thomas Jefferson Wednesday night, Ringgold had just nine players. Grimm also has a plan to focus on academics.

“We want a renewed interest in the academic side of the student-athlete,” Grimm said. “We can really challenge our kids to work and help them reach their potential in the classroom. The school board specifcally, as do I, wants to increase participation in youth programs and work our way up. I’m confident I can help with that.”

Staff writer Scott Beveridge contributed to this report.