Bishop Christopher Coyne, President of Rice Memorial High School and Sister Laura Dell Santa, Principal are pleased to announce the addition of Neil Brodeur as Athletic Director. A 1985 graduate of Rice, long-time football and baseball coach, and Rice Hall of Fame member, Brodeur will replace Interim Athletic Director Tom Langan starting in July. “We are proud to have Neil join the Rice leadership team at Rice,” Bishop Coyne said. “As a graduate, Neil understands that athletics and extracurriculars are an important part of the Rice experience. I am confident that he will build upon the Catholic school tradition of excellence that defines Rice’s sports programs.”
Sister Laura Della Santa added, “We are blessed to have Neil join our administrative team. He embodies every facet of the Rice mission, and is admired and respected by students, parents, fellow coaches and alumni alike. He leads by example and will encourage our student-athletes to build strong leadership skills, commit to and practice their faith on and off the field, and most importantly balance academics with the unique experience that is high school athletics.”
Over 80 percent of Rice’s 434 students participate in at least one of Rice’s 26 varsity athletic teams. Fifty percent of Rice students are multi-sport athletes. Brodeur’s addition to the Rice staff comes as the school looks ahead to its Centennial anniversary.
Mr Brodeur said he is excited and proud about joining his alma mater. "Leading a high school athletic program in today’s world can be challenging, yet I look at it as an opportunity to fulfill the dreams of the young athletes. My wife Susan and I are very much a part of the Rice tradition. It is my hope that each student at Rice, not only the athletes will feel a part of something very special."
Brodeur was a two sport athlete while at Rice and a 2011 inductee in its Hall of Fame. He holds a degree in Business Management from Plymouth State University and a NIAA Registered Athletic Administrator Certificate from the University of Maine. Brodeur comes to Rice after a 27 year career with Hewlett Packard. He began coaching at Rice in 2007 and was named varsity football coach in 2009. There, he has helped earn multiple state championships. Brodeur will continue coaching Rice’s football team along with Joe Larkin ‘96, Mike Thorne, Kevin McCarthy, Jack Bryce and others.
Fellow coach and School Board Chair Joe Larkin remarked, “I could not be more enthusiastic for Rice with the hire of Neil Brodeur as Athletic Director. Having been a coach at Rice, Neil understands the important role that competitive and recreational activities play in the development our Rice students. Beyond this, I have always admired Neil’s ability to connect with our students, parents, teachers and administrators, as well as our broader community. Most importantly, Neil is a man of faith, character, and steadfast commitment. With him on board, we have a tremendous opportunity to strengthen the mission of Rice, from the hallways to the fields.”
Founded in 1959, Rice Memorial High School’s mission is to guide its students to discover their God-given potential by learning how to recognize and develop their gifts, love learning, serve others, and seek God.