The Cuyahoga Heights Board of Education took a major step toward the future of its athletic programs on May 14, approving the appointment of Paul Gerycz as the district’s new Athletic and Activities Director.
His two-year term officially begins August 1, 2025.
With a career in education spanning 35 years, Gerycz brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the position. He most recently served as the Junior-Senior High School principal at Cardinal Local Schools from August 2022 to February 2025. He also held key administrative roles at Parma, Highland Local, and Buckeye Local Schools. Gerycz earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Mary Grove College.
“I’m really excited,” Gerycz said. “This is my 36th year in education, and in 25 of those years, I was a coach at different levels from middle school all the way up to being a high school varsity coach. I was a middle school athletic director for a stint when I was teaching in Brunswick, and this is something that I really wanted to do. The opportunity presented itself and I’m really excited about it.”
For Gerycz, the chance to lead a small-school athletic department steeped in tradition was a dream come true.
“Paying it forward is important, just being able to carry on the traditions that are happening here and being able to support coaches the way that I was supported by my athletic director when I was a coach,” he said. “It’s just something I’m really passionate about.”
Over the years, Gerycz has coached nearly every sport imaginable: boys’ and girls’ high school basketball, middle school football and basketball, high school baseball, and both middle school and high school track. That breadth of experience gives him a unique perspective on the needs of athletes and coaches alike.
“I had a meeting with the head coaches over the summer, and I want to be here to support them and our kids,” he said. “It’s really important to me that our kids are having a great experience in their athletic endeavors. It’s not just about winning games, but also that they’re learning what it means to be a productive citizen and a team player, and being part of something that’s bigger than yourself. There are a lot of great programs here, and I just want to be here to support them.”
Transitioning into the role has been made smoother thanks to the help of former athletic director Ryan Kelber.
“Ryan left things in good shape,” Gerycz said. “He’s been a great resource, and I’ve been able to talk with him when I had questions. I’ve been learning the systems that are in place, whether it’s playing or learning who to communicate with when I need to schedule games, or Dragonfly (scheduling software), assignors, and all that. It’s a new set of things I need to learn, but everybody here has been super supportive. There are so many great traditions here and so many great people, I’m just excited to be a part of it.”
With his passion for education, dedication to student-athletes, and respect for the district’s proud traditions, Gerycz is poised to lead Cuyahoga Heights into a new era of excellence on and off the field.
