PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
NEW NC ATHLETIC DIRECTOR … Kyra Gates (above) was hired recently as the new athletic director at North Central High School. She began her duties on August 18 and replaces Michael Babin, who had earlier resigned from the position.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Kyra Gates brings a wealth of experience into her new position as athletic director at North Central High School.
Having served as the athletic director at Division I Maple Heights High School in suburban Cleveland for the past two years to a smaller high school in Northwest Ohio, Gates is excited about the opportunity to serve in a close-knit community.
“It’s a small, close-knit community,” said Gates in referring to Pioneer. “Me and my family are relocating down here, too. There is a lot of togetherness here and also school spirit.”
Gates succeeds Michael Babin, who had earlier stepped down from the post and took a similar position in Bedford, Indiana. He is assisting Gates through a transition period this past week.
“It wasn’t a hard transition at all,” pointed out Gates. “Just having the opportunity to continue to do what I love to do. It was most important to me, and finding a place where I can fit in. It’s been very welcoming here.”
Her interest in the NC athletic director’s job was evident because it involved a smaller school district.
“I know most times when you have a smaller school district like that, it’s very close-knit,” mentioned Gates. “So you have a lot of parents’ support, have the support from the administration, and that attracted me to come to North Central.”
She had found out about the athletic director’s job opening within eight hours after it was posted before beginning her own research about the school district.
“First, I researched it to see where it was,” admitted Gates. “I have a club volleyball program as well, and we played a lot in the Toledo area.
“Then it just so happens that my husband (Antoine) is relocating down here. Everything kind of fell into place, so that’s why I researched it and found out it was a very small community and close-knit. I started asking around and heard nothing but good things.”
Besides her husband, she also has two sons, Daron (19) and Antoine, Jr. (10).
Following a Zoom interview with the school district, Gates said it just felt right because the atmosphere was friendly and everyone seemed patient when asking and answering her questions.
The new athletic director was also impressed by the support from the NC community.
“There is a lot of support here,” said Gates. “You have two or three different booster clubs here, and everybody is very supportive. They want to see the success not only the academic side of it, but the athletic programs as well.”
This fall, the varsity football program is competing in the Toledo Area Athletic Conference for the first time in school history after being an independent the past three seasons.
“I think it’s a lot easier on any athletic program because you don’t have to go so far to get games,” said Gates.
“Everything is right here, and I think that’s a great start to have. Knowing each year that you’re going to have some teams to play and kind of branch it out in playing different competitions.”
Gates brings an extensive background to her new job, beginning with three different college degrees achieved from Lakeland Community College (Associate of Science in business administration and general management), Baldwin-Wallace University (Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership), and Ohio University (Master of Science in athletic administration).
Her professional background in athletics is impressive as well. In addition to her role as athletic director (2023-2025) at Maple Heights High School, she previously was a senior clerk (1998-2004) with the City of Cleveland Division of Recreation; administrative coordinator (2015-2017) with Cuyahoga Community College; facility coordinator (2017-23) with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and program director (1998-2025) with Precision Volleyball Academy.
Gates also served as an assistant varsity volleyball coach at Garfield Heights High School for 18 years. She is a certified athletic administrator with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).
Having been on the job for a few days now, Gates says that everyone has been extremely helpful and friendly since her arrival at North Central.
One of her primary objectives is to possess a strong understanding of building and sustaining successful athletic programs.
“I want to see (student athletes) not only to go further with athletics once they leave high school, but also be good people and continue to give back to the community,” commented Gates.
“That’s what is extremely important to me. We build leaders and young student athletes.”