Fivay names McQuade its AD

Posted Feb 22, 2010 by Eddie Daniels

Updated Feb 22, 2010 at 07:17 PM

When Fivay High opens up next fall, pulling students from Ridgewood, River Ridge and Hudson, those Hudson students will have a familiar face on campus.

Linda McQuade was named the school’s athletic director Monday afternoon.

McQuade became Pasco County’s first female athletic director when she took over the Hudson post in 1997. At the end of the 2008 volleyball season, she stepped down to spend more time with her family.

Considering her lengthy ties with Hudson, McQuade said it will tough when her Hudson office has to be packed up.

“I’m sure it will be emotion, but its new beginnings,” McQuade said.

Until the school year ends, McQuade will be tasked with running the athletic department at both schools. She will immediately jump into the search for new coaches at Fivay.

Ironically, the announcement came from Sunlake principal Angie Stone, who will be the principal at Fivay. Stone opened Sunlake in 2007, but prior to that new job, she served as the Hudson principal.

“That’s cool because we work well together and I thought that was a good fit for me,” McQuade said. “I had a good rapport with Ms. Stone.”

During her 20 year tenure as Hudson volleyball coach, McQuade racked up a 406-117 record, collecting 10 district titles and eight Sunshine Athletic Conference titles.