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Geary Oliver has been named Lake Roosevelt's new high school head football coach.

Oliver was selected and approved for the position by school board action at its March meeting.

Oliver has been involved in a variety of football positions in the district for a number of years, starting in 1994, helping out the team as an assistant. He has been active since in one way or another, including three years filming the games.

He has been assistant football coach at Lake Roosevelt High School for the past eight years, and previous to that Oliver was head football coach at the middle school for six years.

At the board meeting, it was said of Oliver that he has earned the respect of both staff and students and is passionate about football.

He came to this area late in his sophomore year and played in his junior year. "A back brace kept me on the sidelines my senior year," Oliver explained.

A report stated that Oliver is a "solid teacher and level-headed decision maker." It was also noted that he views athletes as young men that need positive reinforcement and encouragement.

Most of those turning out for football are known to Oliver, "and they know me," he added.

One task Oliver has is to get the numbers up. Some turnouts in recent years have been sparse.

"I am really excited about next season," Oliver stated. "Most of the kids turning out now have a pretty good grasp of the game and what is expected of them, thanks to the junior football program."

"I couldn't do this without the support of my bosses," noted Oliver, a 25-year veteran with CenturyLink, following in his father's footsteps with a career with the phone company.

In other personnel action at the school board's last meeting March 23, the board accepted the resignation of Mary Schilling from her half-time position as 21st Century Grant director.

Stephanie Anderson was granted a leave of absence from March 9 to June 17; and Kaitlyne Goodin and Teri Sue Reed were hired to temporary elementary classroom paraprofessional positions.

The district will also advertise for an assistant tennis coach. Lake Roosevelt High School has 22 turning out for the sport.