Career: Week of Oct. 19
Upper St. Clair School District has tapped an alumnus and experienced school administrator to serve as acting athletic director. Dr. William J. Englert Jr., a retired assistant superintendent for personnel and student support services from the West Allegheny School District, will manage the district’s athletics program on an interim basis. His appointment was approved during the Oct. 10 school board meeting retroactive to Oct. 4, 2016.
In addition to his central office duties at West Allegheny, Dr. Englert has previously served as a high school administrator in the Peters Township, South Fayette and West Jefferson Hills school districts. While at West Allegheny and Peters, he served as a WPIAL steering committee member for softball and football.
Dr. Englert coached high school football for 15 years – serving as head football coach at Thomas Jefferson and Peters Township high schools and as an assistant coach at Upper St. Clair. In addition, he served as an assistant coach at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a three-year letter winner.
Dr. Englert retired in 2014 after 30 years in education. Since his retirement, he has continued to serve as an adjunct member of the WPIAL football steering committee.
A graduate of Upper St. Clair High School, Dr. Englert earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health and physical education and a doctorate in education from the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his principal certification and superintendent’s letter of eligibility from California University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Englert takes over the duties of Matt Mellinger, who is on administrative leave. As the issue is a personnel matter, no information regarding the cause or status of the leave will be released.
At its Oct. 10 meeting, the school board also approved the appointment of Gregory Wagner as interim assistant athletic director. A National Strength and Conditioning Association certified personal trainer, Wagner has served as an assistant coach at Upper St. Clair High School since 2004 – including the girls’ soccer, girls’ basketball and track and field teams. He retired from the Pennsylvania State Police where he served as a physical fitness coordinator.
The assistant athletic director is a part-time, extracurricular activity sponsor position. Wagner takes over for Matt Martocci, who resigned as assistant athletic director in September.