GLEN DALE — Casey Storm made a positive impact on the John Marshall athletic landscape during his time as the Monarchs’ athletic director.

Storm, however, was recently named assistant principal at John Marshall High School, forcing him to relinquish his A.D. duties he held since May 2014. He was honored this spring at the West Virginia Athletic Directors Association annual conference in Charleston, receiving a distinguished service award.

Rob Chavanak was named Tuesday by the Marshall County Board of Education to serve as Storm’s successor. He is a 1996 John Marshall grad and a three-sports performer for the Monarchs.

“Rob is a great guy and will do an outstanding job,” Storm said.

Chavanak has some big shoes to fill. But he brings enthusiasm and experience to his new challenge.

“I am super excited. I have been working for Marshall County schools my whole career. I started here in 2002,” Chavanak said. “My family has taught in the district. John Marshall is in my blood. I am excited about this opportunity.

“I hit the ground running Wednesday morning. Casey has been a huge help,” he continued. “It is a position I embrace and am totally committed to.”

Not only does he bring unabashed enthusiasm to the post, Chavanak has also scripted a resume well-stocked with experience.

He has served as athletic director at Sherrard Middle School the last six years, overseeing eight sports. He also has a wealth of coaching experience: football for 12 years, seven on the Monarchs varsity staff; 14 years of Sherrard track, six years of frosh and middle school basketball and two years of wrestling at Sherrard.

Chavanak begins his new duties with a game plan firmly in place.

“The administration is doing great things at John Marshall with the improvements at the fieldhouse and school. We also have new tennis courts and our softball and baseball fields are second to none,” he noted. “I want want to keep moving our programs in upward direction like Casey and Chuck Duckworth did. I want to make sure we give our student-athletes the best.”

Chavanak earned his undergraduate degree from West Liberty and his master’s degree from Salem International.

He and his wife Randi have two daughters: Gracen (8) and Lydia (5). The family resides on Benwood Hill.

BUBBA’S BITS

YOUTH MOVEMENT personified. The Cleveland Browns feature 17 rookies on their opening day roster.

OVAC CHAMPIONSHIPS begin to unfold this weekend. The Class 1A/2A and 4A golf championships will be played Tuesday at Oglebay.

WHEELING JESUIT University women’s golf coach Sue Vail has been named to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Women’s Golf Committee. During her 14-year tenure at WJU, Vail has led the Cards to seven conference titles and been tabbed the conference coach of the year three times. In her playing days, Vail won the West Virginia Women’s Championship eight times, and also won the West Virginia Amateur six times.

SPEAKING OF Wheeling Jesuit, the Lady Cardinal volleyball team makes its home debut Tuesday night against West Liberty. The night will feature a ring ceremony for the national champion Cardinals.

TIM SWORDS was a football star at Magnolia High School. He earned a grid scholarship to East Carolina, lettering four years. Swords is now a thriving Olympic-style weightlifting coach, owning his own gym franchise in Houston, Texas. He is so accomplished in the field that in the recent Rio Olympic Games, one of his students reached the medal stand.