By Chuck Reherman
Sports Editor
After an extensive search, Yukon found what it was looking for right in their own backyard,
Michelle Ankrom, an assistant principal at YMS, as been named the new assistant athletic director at the high school.
Ankrom was formally named as the new assistant AD Monday night at the Yukon School Board meeting.
Ankrom has been in the YPS system for the past seven years starting out as a teacher and coach before moving to the administration.
“We are excited about having her,” YHS Athletic Director Mike Clark said. “She is going to allow us to do more things in the athletic office than what we have done in the past. We already have some projects that as soon as we get her on board we are going to take off with. It is going to allow us to do a lot more and reallt service our coaches and out kids a lot better.
“She will focus on everything,” he said. “It’s like when you bring anyone on board you have to recognize what their strengths are, our weaknesses our and figure out what is what is the best. Off the top of my head, she will be more involved with female athletics. I have three daughters so I am very involved with female athletics, but I don’t have the view to where I overlook things that I expect Michelle not to and keep us up to date.
“She will still work with male sports as well, but she is a former coach and was a great liason for me when I came here between the high school and middle school, so we are excited about having her on out staff.”
Ankrom has coaching experience. She led Colbert to a state softball title before coming to Yukon, where she has worked with different sports, the latest with getting the middle school tennis program off the ground.
“I am excited about my new role,” Ankrom said. “When I saw the opening I knew I could really combine my passion for sports, my passion for athletes and coaches and my administrative experience all into one, that is who I am. I feel it a is great role for me.
“I’m looking forward to being able to serve and help our coaches and do whatever I can to make them better coaches,” she said. “They have a lot on their plates and I want to take some of those things off their plates and they can go and be better coaches, spend time with their kids and be better influences on them.
“Mike and I will be working together on all the sports, but my main job will be to take care of the female athletics. I will get to focus on them and make sure they have what they need. I have been a coach and an athlete. so my knowledge will be able to help them get through those long days.”
