CINCINNATI – A funny thing happened to Dan Flynn Thursday afternoon.
Just a few minutes after the Skyline Chili Reds Futures High School Showcase announcement was completed Thursday afternoon, a smile crept across the face of the longtime La Salle athletic director.
He found a wallet on the floor and its rightful owner just happened to be Lancers baseball coach Joe Voegele standing a few yards away.
The irony was not lost among those around Flynn, who joked if his unusual discovery was any indication of financial success in his new position at La Salle, then it’s definitely a good sign for the future.
Flynn, the La Salle athletic director the past 29 years, will join the school’s Advancement Office. The school announced the news in a release Thursday afternoon.
Flynn, a 1974 La Salle graduate, will support key benefactors and the long-term needs of the school, the release said.
“When Dan approached me about his interest in this new role, it seemed like the perfect fit,” said Matt Dierkers, La Salle's director of advancement. “Dan has always been such a strong force in working with our alumni and benefactors.”
Flynn told WCPO.com said he wants to get started in the Advancement Office as soon as possible. He shook hands and greeted numerous athletic directors and coaches at the Reds showcase announcement.
Flynn said the school hopes to name a new athletic director by May 1.
The school posted a link to its website for the Athletic Director position. Interested candidates have until March 28 to apply.
Flynn, 60, was in charge of an athletic department that won eight state team championships, six state team runners-up, 17 individual state champions and more than 54 Greater Catholic League South team titles in addition to numerous district, regional and sectional titles.
Flynn said he is proud of multiple aspects of the athletic department.
“The football stadium is probably the biggest achievement,” Flynn said. “It was the first big that we did so you always like that first big thing. It’s such a center point for our community.”
He said the state titles are irreplaceable. “Those are all so very special,” Flynn said.
Flynn said the relationships with the student-athletes, coaches and supporters of the school are probably the most special part of his career as an AD.
“It’s been a great ride,” Flynn said. “I am looking forward to serving La Salle High School in this way.”
Flynn, a Cleves resident, was instrumental in the school’s growth in facilities such as Lancer Stadium, Marge Schott Field, De La Salle Memorial Center and the baseball, soccer and tennis complex.
La Salle student-athletes have won the prestigious Joe Quinn Award eight times during Flynn’s tenure. The award is given to the top scholar athlete from the GCL schools.
The school has also won the OHSAA Harold H. Meyer Award for Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity 14 times.
“In my role as Principal at La Salle for 17 years, words cannot adequately describe how hard Dan works and how much time he puts into La Salle,” Principal Tom Luebbe said. “It is always for the benefits of our students.”
