Whitehall-Coplay SD honors longtime athletic director Bob Hartman at last board meeting

WHITEHALL-COPLEY, Pa. — The Whitehall-Copley Board of School Directors and district community honored Bob Hartman at the June 23 board meeting as he prepares to retire after 23 years as the district’s athletic director.

“Over the 23 years as athletic director, the support of you all as a group is why we do well here,” Hartman said in remarks included in the meeting, reflecting on his time in the district and saying, “This place has been phenomenal for my family.”

Directors, administrators, coaches, parents and colleagues offered tributes during a portion of the meeting dedicated to recognizing Hartman’s service. The board presented Hartman with a commemorative brick from the Zephyr Pride Foundation and invited him to the podium to accept the gift. A video and several short speakers followed with personal recollections and congratulations.

Representative remarks and context

- Director Funzone (remarks introducing the tribute) noted this was Hartman’s last board meeting and read a short poem honoring his service. - Hartman responded to the recognition and reflected on his tenure, including difficult decisions during the COVID period and the district’s focus on students: "You guys have always ultimately done what's right for our kids," he said. - Multiple staff, colleagues and family members spoke briefly about Hartman’s mentorship, contributions to District 11 athletics and the Whitehall community.

Why it matters

Hartman’s retirement marks a leadership transition in the district’s athletics program and a visible change for students, coaches and community members who worked with him. The tribute highlighted long-term personnel continuity and the role of athletics in district culture.

Provenance from the meeting transcript

The tribute and speeches are recorded beginning at about 00:22:46.865 (transcript block starting at 1366.865) and continue through multiple remarks and a video segment ending at about 00:38:35 (transcript blocks through 2315.275). Examples: "Just wanted to take a few moments to, recognize Bob Hartman. This is Bob's last board meeting with us as he is moving into retirement." and Hartman's remarks: "30 years here has been really, really good... Over the 23 years as athletic director, the support of you all as a group is why we do well here."

Speakers

- Bob Hartman — athletic director, Whitehall-Coplay SD (retiring) - Funzone — Director, Whitehall-Coplay Board of School Directors (introduced the tribute) - Gogler — Director, Whitehall-Coplay Board of School Directors (remarks and participation in the tribute) - Shiffert / Schiffer (transcript spellings vary) — district staff speaker participating in tribute remarks - Tony Filimon — President, Whitehall Copley PTO Plus (spoke earlier in meeting; PTO remarks also acknowledged during this segment) - Several unnamed staff members, coaches and family members took turns offering brief remarks; where the transcript does not provide a full name, they are recorded as staff member/colleague/family member in the transcript.

Clarifying details

- Hartman’s service: 23 years as athletic director (retirement announced and recognized at the meeting). This tenure was stated repeatedly during remarks. - A commemorative brick from the Zephyr Pride Foundation was presented to Hartman by the board.

Searchable tags: ["retirement","athletics","recognition","Whitehall-Coplay"]

Proper names

- Whitehall-Coplay SD (type: school/district) - Zephyr Pride Foundation (type: organization)

Provenance: see transcript blocks starting ~00:22:46.865 through ~00:38:35 for the full set of remarks and video.