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DeWalt To Be Gulf's Next AD

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: March 13, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - Good news tends to do this to people.

Last week, Gulf wrestling coach Travis DeWalt couldn't help but reflect on his days as a Gulf High student. Days after a lengthy interview, DeWalt, a 1990 graduate and the school's first state wrestling champion, was named the new athletic director, replacing Paul Girardi.

Girardi, who has held the AD position for 30 years, will retire at the end of the school year.

"You're looking at 20 years ago, I was walking these same halls, getting in trouble by the same teachers some of my athletes are getting in trouble with," DeWalt said laughing. "It is a nostalgic trip. Who would have thought 20 years ago that I would be the athletic director of my alma mater?

"You can't even conceive that thought, but having that insight, I have a lot of passion for what I do and I'm a definite student-athlete advocate. There's no secret about that."

DeWalt, who was interviewed by a five-person panel, including Gulf principal Steve Knobl, was chosen over more than half a dozen applicants.

With his expanded duties as athletic director, the big question is, will DeWalt continue to coach the wrestling team, a job he took over in 2000.

"That's the million dollar question," he said. "What I'm trying to do is look for somebody who has wrestled in college to come on in and hopefully co-coach for a couple years, and then I can wean off and build our kids' program even bigger."

DeWalt was a three-time NAIA All-American at Briar Cliff College (1997-99) in Sioux City, Iowa. While there, he racked up a 121-20 record, making him the school's all-time winningest wrestler. He also earned a double-major degree in English and Secondary Education.

DeWalt served as a technique instructor at Humboldt (Iowa) High (1995-97); technique instructor at Sioux City (Iowa) West High (1998); assistant technique coach at Briar Cliff College (1998-99) and head wrestling coach at Hinton (Iowa) High (1999-2000).

Since taking over the Buccaneers, DeWalt has led the team to six Sunshine Athletic Conference titles in nine years and four district titles.

His successes aren't strictly tied to the wrestling mat, either. In 2004, DeWalt was named the Sam's Club Teacher of the Year.

Until Girardi's official retirement, DeWalt will shadow the veteran, soaking up all the knowledge he can.

As for the reality of a dream come true, DeWalt said he experiences it every time a peer enters his office.

"When I start having my friends call me Mr. DeWalt, it's helping," he said. "And I know they're doing it in jest, half of them, just teasing me; and I've gone to school with some of these guys who are coaching on staff. So when they come to my office and say, 'Hey Mr. DeWalt, I have a purchasing question,' it does take me back for a second. And I have to look at them and smile, and then reality kicks in, they're serious."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214.

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