May 16, 2020

By Fred Liggett
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Many area schools are turning their attention at this time to the 2020-21 school year and deciding what will be new when the year begins. For St. Michael the Archangel High school in Lee’s Summit what’s new includes a new head football coach and a new athletic director.

Both key positions within the athletic department are being filled with familiar faces which should help the transition for student athletes this fall. Mary Kroening is replacing Rich Weitz as activities/athletic director and Andrew Pitts is the new head football coach taking over for Kevin Page who will remain at the school as a vice principal. Kroening brings to her new role more than 20 years of coaching and teaching experience. Most recently Kroening served as math department chair and girls varsity coach for basketball and soccer.

The transition from Rich Weitz to Kroening “is going really well” according to the outgoing athletic director. Weitz says Kroening has “a great appreciation for the mission of St. Michael’s and we both want what’s best for the school.” Weitz adds he has known “Mary for the last three years and knows she is passionate for who she coaches and for who she teaches.” The transition is still going on but already Weitz feels “the school is in great hands moving forward.”

Pitts previously spent time at St. Michael’s as a science teacher and an assistant football coach. Pitts brings significant coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels to his new position. Before spending last season at St. Michael’s as a defensive coordinator Pitts served at Jefferson City Helias HS for seven years. On the college level Pitts has worked at both Northwest Missouri State and Lincoln University. While on staff at those two NCAA D-II schools Pitts was able to coach in national championship games in 2015 and 2016.

Kroening and Pitts may not be new to St. Michael’s but through their new roles at the school will look to build its athletic program and its traditions.