Paton-Churdan’s new activities director has been settling into his new role.

Pat Kruse grew up in Boone and is a graduate of Boone High School. He also graduated from Iowa State University with an education degree and has taught at Woodward Academy, a parochial school in Boone and is now in his first year with P-C. Kruse talks about the learning curve he has had being a first-time AD.

“It’s been interesting and you learn quite a bit everyday. AR-WE-VA’s Athletic Director Darin Schurke has been a good one to lean on. I spent a day this summer over with him and he told me some of the in’s and out’s, and he’s always available there for me. The community’s been great and everybody’s been a great help.”

Kruse is also the physical education teacher, junior high boys basketball coach and the high school girls and boys head track coach. He describes the culture and his philosophy when it comes to the Rocket athletic programs.

“That’s what I love about sports is the social aspects of it and the PE program that’s job number one. People aren’t going to remember the scores of games and who won and who lost. When it comes to competition I definitely want to win but the social skills and the positive aspects of the team camaraderie I feel should trump everything else.”  

Kruse lives in Gowrie with his wife.