This fall Chapman welcomed Michael Pettit as the new athletic director. 

Petitt wants a great experience for student-athletes.

“The main thing is that every kid has a positive experience with sports,” he said. “I think that sports story for a young person just being to go out there and being able to enjoy the sport, enjoy being out there with friends, and enjoying the experience with their coaches.”

Petitt also wants to go for the Carlisle Cup, a competition among athletic directors

 “The more we win in each sport, the more points we have to the Carlisle cup which is a big award for the athletic department,” Petitt said.

Football and soccer coach Micheal Rentz thinks Petitt can do great things at Chapman.

“I think he can take us up a lot of levels,” he said. “His goals are to be recognized as the best in the state, and he pushes for that every day,”  Rentz said.

Petitt has been overwhelmed by the support of the community.

“It’s great,” he said. “Everybody has been very helpful, and the community is great. lot of companies and businesses want to help, and a lot of people want to help, and a lot of people have been volunteering. A lot of people say, ‘What’s in it for me?’ but you don’t see that here. Everybody is here for the benefit of Chapman High School.” 

Rentz believes that Petitt can bring a whole new energy to the school and can help the athletics.

“I think Coach Petitt brings a lot of excitement from Riverside with the student section and the fun environment,” he said. “I think that will really help us here.”

Petitt came to Chapman after knowing people here and hearing great things.

“I was at Riverside for five years, and this opportunity came up, and I was curious, and i knew some coaches that are here and I reached out to them,” he said. “I knew some people that have been here and some people at neighboring schools and asked them what they thought about Chapman, and all I heard was great things, so I decided to go for it.”

“Then I got the head coach job at Woodmont high school for baseball, then I got to go back to Riverside which I had success by winning two state championships. When the AD left I took the position while being the head coach for baseball and now I’m here,” Petitt said.