<I>The Eagle/Dan Toner</I><BR>Crane native Curt Shelley took over as GU's athletic director and vice principal last month.

JOHN DAY – Grant Union High School’s new athletic director and vice principal Curt Shelley considers moving to Grant County somewhat of a homecoming.

The 1987 Crane High School graduate has 17 years of coaching and administrative experience under his belt, including stints as head boys basketball and assistant football coach at Summit High School in Bend. He also taught physical education.

“He’s a very directed, motivated individual and a quick-learner,” said Grant Union Principal Mark Witty. “We’re thrilled to have him on board and we’re certain he’ll improve our athletic department and school.”

“I wanted to move back to a country lifestyle and raise my kids,” said Shelley, who also spent 10 years as head coach for Culver’s boys and girls basketball, and football teams. “I wanted to wait for job that was right for me and my family, and this one became available. The area is a good fit for us.”

He brings his wife, Elizabeth, who will teach English at Grant Union, and daughter Reagan, 7, and son Kellen, 5, who are both set to start at Humbolt Elementary this school year.

Shelley says he prefers the small-town atmosphere of John Day, which is similar to that of Culver, where he also served as the high school’s athletic director and physical education teacher.

“I really liked what I was doing in Culver,” he said. “Summit was less personable and there were definitely high expectations, and athletics weren’t as enjoyable.”

Before starting his career in education and coaching, Shelley played point guard for the Wildcats of Linfield, a Division III college in McMinnville, for four years, as well as one year as defensive end on the football squad. He graduated in 1992, and went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Oregon State University in 1997.

An avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, golf, and the Oregon State Beavers, Shelley sees balancing Grant Union’s budget as his biggest challenge. Recently, the school cut “C” teams from its athletic department due to declining funds.