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Romulus athletic director outlines participation gains, new programs and accountability steps
Summary
Athletic Director Obi reported rising participation in several sports, new student recognition and pipeline programs, facility upgrades and budget controls during the Sept. 8 Romulus Community Schools board meeting.
Athletic Director Obi told the Romulus Community Schools Board of Education on Sept. 8 that overall student participation in athletics is trending upward, and she outlined plans to rebuild middle‑ and elementary‑level pipelines, add inclusive programs and tighten budget controls.
Obi opened by reciting the athletic department mission she wrote: “creating a winning environment grounded in integrity, accountability, and discipline.” She said coaches should be “invested in their lives” and not only in wins and losses.
The presentation summarized last season’s participation and results, noting roughly 239 high school athletes last year, strong middle‑school track numbers and thinner rosters in girls basketball, volleyball, cross country, swimming and bowling. Obi credited recent growth to outreach and new coaching and cited highlights including one varsity district championship (girls basketball), three league champions, multiple all‑conference athletes and several college signings. She said football played for a district championship and that several athletes signed national letters of intent.
Obi described process and systems changes since January: purchase‑order requests to control overspending, a shared facilities calendar to coordinate practices and improve security, standardized fundraising forms, clearer transportation request procedures and concession rotations to support booster oversight. She said student‑athlete and department handbooks will be presented to the board for approval.
New and planned programs Obi described include: - Soaring Eagles Scholar Lunch, a semesterly recognition event for athletes with high GPAs. - An Eagle Athletic Association composed of two athletes per program to convene monthly for leadership labs and student voice. - Middle‑school clinics and a new elementary league (grades 3–5) holding six Saturday sessions with 32 registered participants so far. - Pipeline work to restore high‑school baseball and softball by building middle‑school participation and requiring high‑school coaches to run middle‑school clinics. - Exploring Unified Sports (inclusive teams for athletes with special needs), a possible powerlifting club and boys volleyball.
On facilities and branding, Obi said the training room is being rebuilt, sideline cameras and practice recording tools are being installed to help athletes create recruiting film, and new banners and rugs will improve appearance. She also described a BSN partnership to streamline gear and rebate support.
Trustees and board members praised Obi’s “holistic” approach and encouraged stronger coordination with physical‑education curricula and earlier youth exposure to multiple sports. Trustee comments stressed early engagement in elementary and middle school as key to retaining athletes and avoiding losing families to neighboring districts’ programs.
Obi said the department will continue outreach (signs, QR codes, clinics) and academic supports for ineligible athletes, including “return to play” plans to help students restore eligibility and work toward graduation.
Board President (unnamed) and other trustees thanked Obi for the presentation and said they will watch for the forthcoming handbooks and program proposals for board consideration.
The presentation did not include a formal board vote; it was a report to the board. The athletic director said several of the initiatives are ready to proceed and will come to the administration or board for formal approvals as needed.
