When former Harrisburg athletic director Doug Fessler left to take a position with the Missouri State High School Activities Association, the thought was it might take two people to replace him. As it turns out, apparently that was true. Both Ryan Richardson and Chris Ackman will act as Co-Athletic Directors.

Ackman currently serves as Harrisburg’s head baseball coach. The Bulldogs went as far as sectionals this past spring before falling to Putnam County 1-0. Richardson serves as the head coach of the girls’ basketball team. The Lady Bulldogs won the the district title this past season.

The position changes caused some shuffling within the athletic department. Richardson will remain the coach of the girls’ basketball team, but will relinquish his duties as pitching coach for the baseball team.

“I’m excited about the ability to be involved in more than one sport,” Richardson said. At this point he and Ackman are in the process of determining who will handle specific duties. And both felt working as co-athletic directors will allow them to attack the position from two different strengths.

Ackman will continue as the baseball coach and will also take on the middle school softball program. “I’m looking forward to the new challenge,” he said. Right now he is concentrating on making sure he has officiating teams for the home football games next fall.

Harrisburg has continued to display excellence in all sports, but especially on the girls’ side, taking titles in softball, cross country, basketball, and track. The boys finished second in football as well as taking first in track and baseball.

There will be other changes within the Bulldog coaching roster as losing Fessler and adding responsibilities to Ackman and Richardson open up a few spots. Mason Hardin will leave football to become the assistant softball coach.

Tanner Smith will take over the reigns as head golf coach and will no longer work with the middle school football team since he will move to the high school varsity assistant football coach position.

Susan Canote will head up the middle school cheer program and will be the assistant high school cheer coach.

Kasey Gatson will assist with the girl’s varsity basketball team. 

Vince Debenito will move from track to middle school assistant boys basketball coach.

Alison Hurst will have a dual role as assistant high school softball coach as well as assistant middle school and high school track and field coach.

Ackman and Richardson anticipate great seasons from all in the athletic program in the upcoming school year.