Liebzeit reaches career goal
By Holly Neumann
The Manawa School District has a new athletic director.
Skylar Liebzeit said he hopes to help bring a positive culture and energy to the athletic department and community.
“My career goal was to be an athletic director since I was 12 years old,” said Liebzeit, a 2015 graduate of Ripon College.
“I feel that I bring several different quality assets to Manawa,” he said. “Those qualities are knowledge of the position because of my schooling, passion for the position and, most importantly, stability. The position is not full-time, but it is my No. 1 priority.”
Liebzeit played football for four years at Ripon College.
“I graduated with a degree in exercise science, then I carried on my education at Concordia University Irvine and will complete my master’s in coaching and athletic administration this October.”
A close friend informed Liebzeit of the opening in Manawa.
“I understood while taking the position that there was great community backing for the athletic programs,” he said. “With the support of my fiancé and family, Manawa was a no-brainer for me.
“My long-term goals are to continue to build on the culture that I am working on creating and to make home games an event for all of the city of Manawa to attend and have a positive experience,” he said.
Liebzeit said he will also work to ensure that Manawa’s student-athletes are well prepared for their time after high school.
“I hope to give them the best opportunities to continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level,” he said.
Liebzeit will also serve as the district’s activities director and assistant football coach.
“I am working and planning on being involved in the school as much as possible, helping anyway I possibly can,” he said.
Liebzeit participated in football, baseball and wrestling at Wisconsin Dells High School.
“Out of college, I spent some time as a personal trainer for Anytime Fitness, coached football at Reedsburg and Kettle Moraine as an offensive assistant/running backs coach,” he said.
He is looking forward to creating positive relationships with students, athletes, parents and other community members.
“I also look forward to working with coaches and staff to bring success to the athletic programs in Manawa,” he said.