“This matters.”
Dr. Patrick Scarpello, the new Director of Athletics and Activities, said his goal is to share his love and passion for school athletics with the entire community. His signature saying, “this matters,” communicates that he believes that what coaches and advisers do is serious work. He believes that if everybody commits to making participation on our teams matter, then everybody can be proud of the future of Hatboro-Horsham athletics.
Scarpello has a doctorate in Innovation and Educational Leadership. The work he has put in to obtain his doctorate has reinforced his passion and love for education-based athletics. He also believes that regardless of race, gender – or any other category, participating in school athletics has shown a positive correlation to overall academic success.
Dr. Scarpello found his passion in physical education at a young age. Since he was a kid, sports have been a huge part of his life. He was able to play varsity soccer, basketball and lacrosse throughout high school. He then knew he wanted to become a physical education teacher because he wanted to coach and motivate other students to fall in love with sports.
Dr. Scarpello believes that the future for Hatboro-Horsham athletics will come from the work that the coaches and student-athletes put in every day. He sees his role involves supporting the coaches and student-athletes to ensure that they have all of the resources to compete to the best of their ability.
Dr. Scarpello believes that expressing gratitude and being genuine toward students can help motivate them. By attending games after school and walking through the hallways during the school day, Scarpello wants to make it known to students that he will do everything he can to help them reach both their academic and athletic goals.
Scarpello believes that the best part of his job is supporting student-athletes to participate in sports, whether that is playing at college level or not. He wants students to have “an elite experience while they compete at HH.”
Dr. Scarpello has described his transition to Hatboro-Horsham as fun, and he appreciates the vibe here. He said he believes the school is filled with passionate, talented and hardworking students and staff.
“Each day that we have an opportunity to practice and get better is a blessing! I implore you to take your activity/sport seriously, because ‘it matters!’” Dr. Scarpello said.
