Mennona era ending at Mariner
When the school term comes to an close in three weeks at Mariner High School, it will mark the end of an era for the athletics programs. That’s when 21-year athletic/activities director Vito Mennona is stepping into retirement with Steve Larsen named his successor.
Larsen has been at Mariner since 1992 and has coached in the football, golf and soccer programs. Most notably, he spent 16 years as head baseball coach during which time he built the Tritons into a winning program year in and year out until he stepped down in 2012.
Larsen came highly recommended as just the third AD in the school’s 28-year history.
“Principal Robert Butz asked me about Steve and of course I gave him the highest recommendation,” said Mennona.
Mennona began his service to Lee County education as a social studies teacher at Cypress Lake. He spent nine years at Fort Myers High before moving on to Mariner when it opened its doors in 1987. He took over as AD seven years later.
After his 33rd year, Mennona, 59, opted to enter the state’s Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP). Employees can continue to work for five years after entering the program.
“I’m at the end of my five years,” said Mennona. “I’m going to play a lot more golf and a few other things. I’m used to 60-hour work weeks, so when I sit down for too long I feel useless. I’ll probably look for some kind of employment and make a few bucks, too.”
During his tenure, the number of public high schools in Lee County has doubled from seven when Mariner and Estero opened the same year to today’s 13 schools. The Lee County Athletic Conference was formed and a number of sports have been added to programs around the county.
“There has been a lot of growth,” Mennona said. “At one time there was no soccer in the county. Now, Mariner is a powerhouse in both boys and girls soccer. We were one of the last counties in the state to switch from slow-pitch softball to fast-pitch.”
The Tritons have seen a number of athletes go on to become professional players, namely Greg Spires and Earnest Graham (NFL), Mike Zunino and Casey Coleman (MLB), and Pat Burke (NBA).
“The thing is they were all great kids,” Mennona said. “I’m honored to have been their AD. We have two athletes who hold scoring records in Teddy Dupay (state) for basketball and Holly Fritz (county) for girls’ soccer. We had our girls’ and boys’ basketball teams reach the state finals as well as boys’ soccer and baseball.”
Mennona recalls when the school opened it drew students from Cape High and North Fort Myers. Then, in 1989, came the defining moment in all of his years there.
“The most memorable thing was the tragedy of Tony McKenna,” he said, referring to McKenna’s death from a lightning strike on the football field at the end of practice. “I was there that day, just 30 feet away. But the way his family showed their love, and the strength of their religious beliefs and convictions kind of solidified us as a school. It gave us an identity.”
Larsen officially accepted the position last week, but had been assisting Mennona with some duties.
“It’s a transition period,” Larsen said. “I asked Vito about a year ago if I could help him out so I could get my feet wet and he was gracious enough to accommodate me. He’s giving me advice and I’m asking him for it.”
Larsen, coincidentally a social studies teacher like Mennona, has involved himself in the school culture in addition to coaching, such as Grad Bash, prom, homecoming, senior picnic and other activities.
“There is no prescribed role for an athletic director in the county, but it’s a full-time job so my focus will be on being AD instead of teaching,” said Larsen. “I was born here, so I know Mariner athletics, Cape Coral and the county. I?have many contacts through networking so I do not see any drastic change from the last 21 years.”
Larsen has one major sport coaching position to fill (girls’ basketball) as well as looking to fill the void of his previous roles in golf and football.
“I always wanted to teach kids,” he said. “I love the interaction. When I got out of coaching baseball I thought more about some day maybe being an AD.
“I’m 75 percent down the path to my certification as an administrator, but you can’t be certified until you have two years actual experience on the job.”
During Larsen’s time as baseball coach, he became somewhat of a mentor for assistant coaches. Two have gone on to become head coaches themselves – Tom Woodley succeeded Larsen at Mariner and Bob VanDeventer is head coach at Ida Baker.