AMSA Athletic Director Pete Jones is leaving AMSA after more than nine years to take the same role at Marlborough High School. Mr. Jones will be replacing Jeff Rudzinsky, who has been at Marlborough for 15 years.
“I’m going to miss him a lot, but I am happy for him,” said freshman Marianna Tsianatelis, who runs cross country and track.
Mr. Jones grew up locally, and he is a 2003 Marlborough High graduate.
“Marlborough’s kind of been the one job I’ve kind of always hoped to obtain at some point in my career,” Mr. Jones said.
He is leaving some big shoes to fill. Mr. Jones has led an expansion of the school’s athletic program, and he is one of the most respected figures at AMSA.
“I’m happy for him, but it’s also a huge loss for us because he’s done such a tremendous job building the athletic department,” Principal Mike Nawrocki said.
Mr. Nawrocki has known Mr. Jones since he was in kindergarten, where “we met on the school bus, and I’ve been in touch with him ever since.”
Mr. Jones played soccer and basketball at Marlborough.
Mr. Jones, beyond his competent command of the athletic department, has been a tireless supporter of the school’s teams and athletes, and he is a reliable presence at school sporting events.
“He has helped me when I needed advice or when I was stressed, and he has given me opportunities like being on varsity as a middle schooler,” Marianna said. “I wouldn’t have gotten that at any other district.”
Mr. Jones won’t be completely gone from AMSA, which runs cooperative programs with Marlborough in the sports of boys ice hockey, gymnastics, boys tennis, and field hockey.
That’s a good thing for AMSA and its students. Mr. Jones makes sure that students concentrate on their school obligations, which come before their athletic endeavors.
“The term student-athlete really means something to him,” Mr. Nawrocki said. “They’re students first, and then athletics is a privilege.”
AMSA’s incoming athletic director is Jaquan James, who has spent the past two years as assistant athletic director for Hopkinton public schools.
“It’s sad to see [Mr. Jones] go, but he’s not too far away.” Mr. Nawrocki said.
