Kalama School District Athletic Director Kevin Wright announced this week that he has accepted a new position with Lakes High School in Pierce County, and plans to leave his role in Kalama at the end of the school year.
Wright, who lives in Tumwater, said the impending move is driven by his desire to be closer to home and family. He has served Kalama School District (KSD) since 2018.
“Kevin has been a critical part of our school community in Kalama - both on and off the field of play,” said KSD Interim Superintendent Jennifer McCallum. “Under his guidance, our athletics teams have achieved remarkable success, and through his work with Leadership students at Kalama High School, he has helped to foster a more positive culture. We wish him nothing but the very best in his future endeavors.”
Kalama High School Athletics reached notable heights during Wright’s tenure. Teams took home state championships in Football (twice) and Soccer, and the Athletics program as a whole saw steady growth.
“I’m really proud of the overall success we’ve had across the board, and much of that is thanks to our outstanding coaches, who have worked hard to build their programs,” said Wright when asked to reflect on his time in Kalama. “It has been a real treat getting to watch teams like Girls Basketball and Girls Fastpitch (Softball) grow into competitive playoff teams.”
Another element that Wright said he will always look back on with fondness is the unparalleled support that the community has for student athletes.
“There are a lot of small schools that have good community involvement, but not all of them have community involvement like Kalama does,” he said. “We’ve had road games with as many Kalama fans in the crowd as home fans. Having that level of support for our kids is great, and something that I won’t forget.”
The district plans to begin the search for a new Athletic Director later this year.