Plageman steps down as Cape AD
Savanna Gindele likes the direction the Cape Coral High School athletic program is headed, and expects continued success in the school’s International Baccalaureate program.
Appropriate since Gindele’s new position as athletic director places her in charge of both.
The school announced Tuesday that longtime athletic director Bob Plageman is stepping down from that position and returning to the classroom.
Gindele was chosen as the new athletic director and also will be in charge of the school’s IB program.
Gindele has coached several sports in her six years at the school, including volleyball, basketball and softball, in addition to serving as head of the English-Language Arts Department.
“It’s very exciting,” Gindele said. “This seemed like a perfect position when I saw they were combining the two.”
Plageman said his decision was made on the basis of wanting to devote more time to family, as well as other activities. In his position as AD, Plageman often started his work day at 7 a.m. and remained on campus until 11 p.m.
“Thirteen years of 14-hour days takes its toll,” he said.
Plageman spoke with Principal Eric McFee about his decision in March and then notified the coaches before spring break.
Plageman guided the school’s athletic department during two separate stints, spanning 13 years.
The Seahawks have had success in a variety of sports, magnified by the football team’s success in reaching the Class 5A regional playoffs the past two years.
In addition, the swimming and track and field teams have contended at the state level, the boys’ soccer team advanced to the regional finals this year and the girls’ basketball team won their first-ever district title.
A few teams that suffered through some down years, have made progress under new coaches.
Plageman said he felt good about the timing of the change, given those factors.
“It took me 13 years and six principals to get coaches in positions I feel comfortable with,” he said. “Every team I feel we have quality coaches.”
Gindele said the success of the many sports has coincided with more involvement, which includes coaches and parents.
“That success has drawn us closer and closer together,” she said. “Each year I’ve been here we continued to grow and become more involved in the community.”
Plageman plans to remain at Cape, but it’s not yet determined which subject area he’ll teach. He spent 17 years teaching and coaching in Virginia before continuing in Miami at Coral Gables High School. He took over at Cape in the fall of 1996.
Plageman and his wife, Mary, volunteered last summer in the city of Najile, Kenya. In March they initiated a book drive to help fill up the shelves of a library that is in the process of being constructed in Najile.
Solomon Matura, a native of Najile who serves on the library board, visited Cape High in March to talk about the direction of the project, as guests of the Plagemans. They’ll continue their efforts with the project.
Plageman said close to 2,000 books were collected in March and April with another book drive scheduled for May 30.