For the last four weeks, Principal Stephen Imbusch, with the help of an Athletic Director Search Committee, narrowed down a field of over forty candidates to three finalists: Dave St. Martin, a math teacher and the Varsity Boys Basketball coach at WHS; Eric Karjel, Hopkinton High School’s current Athletic Director; and lastly, Ron Dowd, the Varsity Boys Hockey coach and also the head of Walpole High’s Transition (S.C.O.R.E.) Program. After careful consideration, Principal Imbusch elected Mr. Dowd on April 8 to take over the reigns of the Walpole Athletic Department starting next fall.
For the last six years, Walpole Athletic Director Bill Tompkins oversaw numerous Walpole Athletic accomplishments in his career: the 2013 Porker State Championship, the 2013 Boys Soccer South Sectional Championship, and the 2014 Boys Cross Country Division III State Championship. Although Mr. Tompkins was not directly a part of the selection committee, he spoke on behalf of Mr. Dowd’s character as Walpole Boys Hockey Head Coach.
“He’s been the hockey coach for three years and has been running his program much by the book and how I believe Walpole sports should be run,” said Mr. Tompkins.
Before coming to Walpole, Dowd was an assistant coach at Ashland High School after head coaching at Weymouth High School from 1995-2000. In 2012, Dowd coached his first season for Walpole High’s Boys Hockey team. Along with being the Head Boys Hockey Coach, Dowd has also been the Head of the Transition Program for the two years of the program’s existence, a position where he helps students with prolonged absences catch up on their makeup work befor fully returning to their classes. Similar to the athletic director position, his current position as Head of the Transition Program requires him to work with many different stakeholders (parent, students, administrators, teachers) in the community.
“Not only is [Dowd] very good with parents and students, but he also communicates well and is very organized. I think he will be a very good person for this job,” said Mr. Tompkins.
As for adjustments from his job in the high school’s transition program to athletic director, time consumption will be a major factor. However, Dowd believes his previous experience in Walpole will give him an advantage.
“I already know a lot of the parents, teachers, and town hall members so that’s going to help me big time and play to my strengths,” said Mr. Dowd.
Having been present for three of Mr. Tompkin’s six years as athletic director, Mr. Dowd learned a lot from Coach Tompkin’s leadership.
Mr. Dowd said, “Tompkins has been a great mentor hockey wise, school wise, and in life. The way he handles himself, he’s a great inspiration.”
When asked, Mr. Dowd did not comment on whether or not he will return to the hockey program next season.
“With a lot more responsibility, I’ll have to be here a lot more next year,” said Mr. Dowd.
One thing for sure that Mr. Dowd looks forward to doing is creating a website for Walpole High athletics to incorporate online registration. However, Mr. Dowd believes that Mr. Tompkins has already built a solid foundation for Walpole’s athletic program.
“I hope to continue the tradition of Coach Tompkins and others before him,” Dowd said.
