Kirst becomes LISDs first female AD

By Alonzo Garza
POST-REGISTER

Things are looking up at the Lockhart High School Athletic Department, LHS has hired a new Athletic Director and she is ready and willing to report for duty.
Former LHS head volleyball coach Melinda Kirst has accepted the position of Athletic Director as of Monday, March 25.
“I am very excited to be starting as Athleti

c Director at Lockhart High School,” Kirst said. “I have been involved in athletic administration before. In fact, my last eight years in Victoria were spent working on some administrative duties.”
Kirst will be responsible for all boys and girls athletic programs district-wide.
The new position comes with no teaching responsibilities and for now, no coaching responsibilities either. Kirst is looking forward to helping the LISD programs be as successful as they can be.
“I enjoy helping all sports be successful,” Kirst said. “And I have all the tools necessary to win.”
When Kirst first arrived at LHS in August 2007 she was very excited to be here. She came from Victoria where she coached for a total of 18 years, spending seven years at St. Joseph’s High School and 11 years with Victoria ISD coaching what is now Memorial High School. Kirst went to Regionals with her St. Joseph’s teams and had 458 career wins before her first year at LHS.
Her career wins now total 477 after a 19-18 season with the volleyball Lady Lions.
“It is not all about winning,” Kirst said. “I also emphasize the importance of the student-athlete. You have to be a good student first before you can be a good athlete.”
Once again, it looks like things are moving in the right direction at Lockhart High School. The community is encouraged to welcome Kirst and to be proactive in supporting the new LHS Athletic Director in her position.
“I have had the privilege of getting to know and live in this community for the last seven months,” Kirst said. “I look forward to meeting and getting to know more of the citizens of Lockhart.”
agarza@post-register.com