Athletic director reports strong participation, high GPAs; recommends naming cross-country course for Coach Randy Marks

Mister Steiner, the Verona Area School District athletic director, presented the board with a spring and year-end review Monday, reporting robust participation in athletics and activities and proposing that the district name the cross-country course at Stuart Woods after Coach Randy Marks. Steiner highlighted participation and academic figures: over three seasons the district recorded 1,262 sign-ups and 902 unique participants, representing roughly 48 percent of the high school student body; the average GPA for participating student athletes was 3.349 for the school year, with 149 student-athletes earning a 4.0. He also listed conference honors, regional and state-level achievements, and two state championships in relay and individual events. "I really want to build this student athlete group so something that's ... people wanna be a part of it because they want to see the change in every day," Steiner said, describing plans to expand student-athlete leadership and feedback systems. Steiner recommended renaming the cross-country course at Stuart Woods "Coach Randy Marks Cross Country Course" to honor Marks—s long service (coaching and founding the district—s programs for decades and multiple state-level honors). The administration confirmed the district—s naming administrative rule requires the named person—s consent; Steiner and board members reported Coach Marks had been asked and said he would be honored though modest about such recognition. Board members praised the athletics staff and the student-athlete leadership initiatives. The board did not take a formal vote on the naming during the meeting; administrators indicated they will follow board policy and process for official naming actions. Steiner also reported on communications and engagement measures the athletics office is using, including social media, a monthly newsletter, and a student-athlete survey to gather feedback on coaching and program quality. He said the district would continue to host neutral-site playoff events and grow participation across existing and new activities.