Burt John (B.J.) Pumroy has been named athletic director.LEONARDTOWN, Md. (Aug. 15, 2016)—St. Mary's Ryken, a private Catholic high school in Leonardtown, announced this week the addition of two high-level faculty members. Burt John (B.J.) Pumroy has been named athletic director and Joe Wysokinski is the new dean of students.
Mr. Pumroy comes to SMR with a wealth of experience in athletic department operations for NCAA II division institutions in the Midwest and Washington and Baltimore areas. He has over 26 years of higher education experience at the college level.
"I am thankful to become part of the St. Mary's Ryken family," said Mr. Pumroy. "The familiarity I have of the school and its graduates led me to apply for this prestigious position. I am excited to experience the successes that will occur in competition, the classroom and in the community. My family and I cannot wait to cheer for the Knights!"
Most recently, Mr. Pumroy was the director of athletics at Shepherd University, where he led the activities of coaches and staff members in the intercollegiate athletics program. He had a large leadership role in started the Mountain East Conference and has success at the regional and national level. He began his career as the head baseball coach at Truman State University in Missouri and later became the assistant athletic director. Then, he became the athletic director at Valley City State University in North Dakota.
Mr. Pumroy earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Truman State and his master's degree in sports administration from Northwestern State University in Louisiana.
"We are proud of our spirited history in Southern Maryland athletics and broadening our focus as a member of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference," said SMR Principal Rick Wood. "Mr. Pumroy will be a valuable asset to the athletic department by helping to bolster our community relationships—locally and in the WCAC arena—and help to continue to foster an environment that strongly supports our athletes as students first. I am confident that he will be a strong leader and mentor for our student-athletes and coaches."
SMR also announces Joe Wysokinski as the new dean of students. Mr. Wysokinski has over 16 years of experience in the educational field and for the past two years, he was the athletic director at SMR. Mr. Wysokinski will also continue as an assistant varsity football coach. He is currently finishing his master's degree in Leadership, Administration and Supervision through Notre Dame of Maryland University. Mr. Wysokinski replaces Dr. Edward Weiland who retired in June.
"I'm thrilled to continue to work with a team of talented educators at St. Mary's Ryken High School," said Mr. Wysokinski. "As a faculty we share the same passion that revolves around supporting student growth and enhancing academic success. SMR is surrounded with a positive climate and environment beneficial to educational growth. Our students consistently demonstrate qualities of honesty, respect and trust. I look forward to supporting our students and community as dean of student life and aim to make every student's experience positive."
St. Mary's Ryken is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory high school community operated under the Xaverian Brothers' sponsorship dedicated to academic excellence and individualized student growth. Students come from many different counties across the region including Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, King George, Prince George's and St. Mary's. To learn more, visit smrhs.org.
Joe Wysokinski is the new dean of students.