Athletic Director
I am Drew Wendol. I currently am the Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics. During the start of COVID, Hastings was in need of a new Director of Health, Physical Education, & Athletics and decided to give me a call to see if I would take back over the helm in the Athletic Department. Although trying to figure out how to safely organize and run an Athletic Program during a Global Pandemic was not top of my list of things I really wanted to do at the time, I was honored that the district had faith and confidence in me to get the job done, and decided to accept the challenge. I have to admit I was quite content teaching Middle School Physical Education, coaching three sports, running my lacrosse business, and spending time with family & friends, but if you know me, you would know I am not the guy who can sit back and potentially watch the student-athletes, coaches, families, and community miss out on something that brings so much happiness and joy, all while providing everyone with so many life lessons and experiences they will cherish and use for the rest of their lives.
I have been a Physical Education Teacher at Hastings UFSD since 2000 (taught previously at The Graham School from 1997-2000). I have extensive coaching experience and have coached the Varsity Boys Lacrosse Coach (started the program in 2003), Field Hockey, Basketball, Soccer, Tennis, Cheerleading, Volleyball, Cross Country, Ultimate Frisbee Club, & Fencing throughout my tenure in Hastings. I have also served six years as the Hastings Athletic Director (2002-08). As Athletic Director, I am an active member of NYSPHSAA & Section 1 Athletics. I believe in giving back and doing my part not only in the district I teach, but also for Section 1 Athletics, which provides Interscholastic Athletics for all of the school districts in Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland Counties.. I have currently serve or have served as the Boys Lacrosse Chairperson, Girls Lacrosse Chairperson, Boys Soccer Chairperson, Cross Country Chairperson, Awards Committee Member, NYS AAA Committee Member, Modified Sports Committee Member, Conference III Field Hockey Scheduler, Conference III Cross Country Scheduler, & Conference III Ice Hockey Scheduler, member of the Con Edison “Athlete of the Week” Selection Committee.
In addition to my work at Hastings, I run my Gargoyle Athletics Business focusing on Lacrosse, and other sports, camps, clinics, leagues, and tournaments. I was also the Head Men's Lacrosse Coach at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, the Lacrosse Director at The Sports KingDome, Varsity Lacrosse at Bronxville H.S. (1997-2000), the Future Stars Camps Lacrosse Director (2005-07), the Renegades 17U Elite Lacrosse Tournament Team (2008), & served on the Empire State Boys Lacrosse Selection Committee (1998-2001. 2008, 2016-18).
I attended SUNY Cortland College, receiving my Physical Education Degree, as well as a masters in Health Education. I also received my second Masters in School District Administration (SDA) at PACE University. At Cortland State, I was a proud member of the Men's Lacrosse Team from 1990-1994, where I finished 4th on the all-time goal scoring list and 14th on the all-time points scoring list.
I continue to play lacrosse locally and was honored with tryouts for the 2006 Men’s World Outdoor, 2007 Men’s Indoor United States World, & Long Island Lizards Professional Lacrosse Teams. I am also proud to have won gold medals in the 2014 World Lacrosse Games in Denver & 2018 World Games in Israel in the 40+ Division. I am hoping in make it 3 this summer in the 2023 FIL World Games being held in San Diego, CA.
When I am not working at Hastings, coaching, playing lacrosse, or with my business, I enjoy spending time with my family (wife Tammy and 3 children (Trevor, Ella, and Owen) and friends, hunting & fishing, going to music concerts, and working around my house in my garden & raising quails.
As you can see, athletics has and continues to play a huge role in my life. Through educational athletics, I have learned so many important life skills that have helped mold me for a successful life. I have traveled around the world and have made so many lifelong friends & memories that I will cherish forever.
I lead to help make a positive difference wherever I go by guiding & empowering others with the necessary tools, experiences, and life lessons for them to do the same. My goal is to connect student-athletes with meaningful transformational adults that can instill the pursuit of winning while still fostering love, empathy, and kindness throughout their teaching/coaching to help develop the next generation of kind future leaders and citizens.
I am looking forward to seeing you at an athletic event. I would like to thank you in advance for always staying positive, supporting & trusting the coaches, role modeling good sportsmanship, and seeing the true value of the life lessons your child/ren are learning from playing sports. There would be no athletics without all of your time invested and dedication. It is truly appreciated by coaches, other parents, the team, and most of all, by your children.
Please check out the Hastings Athletics Website page for all of the latest updates, schedules, and important information to help make the athletic experience a positive one.
LET'S GO YELLOWJACKETS!
ONCE A YELLOWJACKET, ALWAYS A YELLOWJACKET!
Andrew Wendol
Athletic Director
wendola@hohschools.org
Hastings Athletic Department
One Mount Hope Boulevard
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
914-478-6241