Pete Dombroski, long-time director of athletics is stepping down after this school year
VENICE − An institution is taking one more spin around the high school sports calendar.
Long-time Venice High director of athletics Pete Dombroski announced he will step down after the 2023-24 school year.
Like the volleyball and basketball nets at the Teepee, the home plates at the softball and baseball fields and the goalposts at Powell-Davis Stadium, Dombroski has been a fixture at Venice High.
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Dombroski is in his 14th season as athletics director after spending 10 years as an assistant to Larry Sandberg.
During his tenure, Venice High athletics programs have provided Dombroski with 14 state championship rings in football, volleyball, baseball, swimming and tennis.
“Obviously he has had a lot to do with the success Venice High School has had in athletes,” Sarasota County athletics director James Slaton said. “It probably has put Venice on par with anyone in the state.”
And Dombroski hopes he is not finished receiving jewelry.
“Hopefully more this year,” he said.
On what he enjoyed about the position, Dombroski said, “Just seeing the kids being successful. Seeing the coaches be successful. See the students go on to the next level. Being a part of a great community.”
The announcement before the start of the 2023 sports season, Dombroski has an opportunity to take one final lap.
On what he will miss, Dombroski said, “I’ll miss the coaches and the student athletes and seeing the community at the games. I’ll miss all that. Seeing the kids get better each year. Hanging out with the coaches. People come up to you and say ‘hi’ to you at games. I’ll miss that.”
Dombroski will be around at the beginning of the 2024-25 school season, as his time in the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) extends to October 2024.
Then what?
“I’m debating on whether to run for school board or Venice City Council or see if the FHSAA has an opening,” Dombroski said. “Play golf. Have some Pete time.”
Before getting into administration at Venice High, Dombroski could be seen operating the clock for the wrestling and basketball programs, coaching various teams and assistant as a business manager since 1991.
In the classroom he was a behavior specialist who taught exceptional student education (ESE), World History, physical education and oversaw students who have low grade-point averages.
Dombroski earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Kean University in Union, New Jersey, an ESE certification from the University of South Florida and a Master’s Degree from Argosy University.
“He’ll definitely be missed,” Slaton said. “Those are big shoes to fill. He definitely earned his retirement.”
Long-time football assistant coach and assistant director of athletics Larry Shannon is slated to replace Dombroski as director of athletics at Venice High.
“It will be good for Larry to work under Pete for a year,” Slaton said. “Larry is a Venice guy. He’ll fit very well. It’s probably a good time for Larry to be coming in since athletics in Florida is going through so many changes.”
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Pete Dombroski, long-time Venice High athletic director to retire
