Well-liked PE teacher takes on Athletic Director role for the remainder of school year

By Owen Lentner

From Physical Education to District Athletic Director, Branford’s Brian Zaklukiewicz, more commonly known as “Zak”, has taken over as head of the athletics department at Branford Public Schools for the remainder of the school year.

Zak, who has been with the district for three years, assumed the role about three weeks ago after the prior District AD, Michael Woods, departed due to personal reasons. Since joining Branford Schools, he’s been a PE/Health teacher and has coached several different sports.

“I was an assistant coach for the boys basketball team and head coach of the Walsh baseball team,” state Zak in an interview. Last year, he transitioned away from basketball and began coaching the BHS Boys Golf Team.

“I was planning to coach boys golf again this year and then obviously this opportunity presented itself,” he said. “It’s something I love [doing]… it was a no-brainer. I had to at least take the opportunity and see what it’s like, it’s something I’ve always dreamed of!”

Along with coaching, Zak worked previously at Franklin Elementary School, a K-8 school in eastern CT, as a PE and Health teacher before starting at BHS. He was also promoted to Athletic Director and later Dean of Students along with coaching boys basketball.

When asked what the job of the Athletic Director entails, Zak noted that it was heavy in administrative work and scheduling games along with getting officials lined up. The AD also has the job of making sure all sports and coaches have the support they need whether that be equipment or facility wise.

The spring sports season started three weeks ago.

“There’s a lot of support here. Like Ms. Royka, our Athletic Administrative Assistant, she is like top of the line, A-plus. I’d really be in a lot of trouble if it wasn’t for her right now,” added Zak.

At this point, the main goal of the AD is to keep all spring sports running smoothly (due to the impromptu change in position). Zak stated he hopes to improve the current offering of 30 varsity sports at BHS to incorporate new and upcoming programs along with growing the JV sports programs (into next school year).

“I’m definitely not going to make anything worse! Everything’s gonna stay the same or we’re gonna go up!” he continued.

Zak is set to finish out the school year as AD; arrangements are set to be made before the 2025-26 school year regarding a permanent solution, possibly being Zak to continue. He is the district’s fourth athletic director in the last three years.