Varsity Girls Soccer coach Erica Aftuck tabbed to become next Wellsville Athletic Director, will succeed Dean Giopulos
WELLSVILLE — With the retirement of longtime school administrator Dean Giopulos having been announced this past winter, the discussion regarding the future of Wellsville Central School athletics on the front lines began.
After a few months of talks and applications taken to find Giopulos’ successor, a decision was ultimately made. During Tuesday night’s Board of Education Meeting via Zoom, the official announcement came.
Effective next month, on July 1, Wellsville Central School superintendent Dave Foster informed Varsity Girls Soccer head coach Erica Aftuck, who joined live in the Zoom meeting, that she will succeed Giopulos by becoming the school’s next Athletic Director after a unanimous vote, marking a change at the head of the athletics department that has occurred for the third time in the last four years.
The press release obtained by WellsvilleSports.com states as follows:
"Erica Aftuck was appointed Athletic Director for Wellsville Schools at last evening’s (June 2) Board of Education meeting. Erica has been a teacher at Wellsville since 2011. She has been the Girls Varsity Soccer head coach for six years and the Junior & Senior Class Advisor for four years, as well as the student council advisor for five years. Erica has taught Health and Physical Education at the secondary school since her arrival. We welcome Erica and are proud of her achievements. She is a strong advocate for students and we wish her much success. Erica takes the position following the retirement of Wellsville Administrator, Dean Giopulos. Erica will move into the position effective July 1, 2020. Congratulations to Erica. Go Lions!”
Aftuck, who will enter her seventh season as Varsity Girls Soccer head coach next school year, says it is a dream come true to begin this new chapter at Wellsville.
“I am just so excited, I don’t even know how to put what I’m feeling into words,” she said. “I am very excited about this new chapter and opportunity as Wellsville’s new Athletic Director. For the past six years, I’ve been a part of the Varsity coaching staff, and I’ve learned a ton from Dennie Miles and Dean Giopulos, but I am eager to take the lead. I’m looking forward to inspiring out student-athletes, and motivating our coaching staff to be the best they can be. I’m thankful to still have the opportunity to coach Varsity soccer, and teach in the high school. This is truly a dream come true for me.”
As for one of Aftuck’s mentors, and her predecessor, Giopulos says that she will be tested right off the bat with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis across the country, but ensures that the Board of Education made the best decision possible to take on the role he now leaves behind, after spending nearly four decades within the school’s administration, including the past two years as the Athletic Director.
"Personally, I’ve sought out Erica’s input because of her knowledge. I’m belated with the selection that was made,” the longtime school administrator said. “Erica is organized, creative, and has the best interest of kids at heart. She’s had the opportunity to coach for a period of time and she is very open-minded, and I can’t think of a better selection for this school at this time. We’re already planning on some transition meetings starting on Monday, as far as where we stand on everything now. This COVID-19 situation will present major league challenges off the bat for her. It’s going to take an open mind and people being patient with things. I hope given the circumstances, people are fully aware and give her the benefit of the doubt of having her deal with a sports season in the middle of a pandemic.”
We at WellsvilleSports.com would like to extend our upmost congratulations to Erica, and wish all the best in her newest venture!
