Luke Ande became athletic director for the Bainbridge Island School District Sept. 1 after Jim Corsetti resigned.

Corsetti had only been on the job for two years. He has declined comment on why he suddenly resigned.

Ande had been athletic director at Issaquah High School for 10 years.

“The reason why I started to go for the Bainbridge job was that it was a destination job for me,” Ande said. “Looking at the community and school, it was very appealing to me. Family is also very important to me. I have many family members in the area so it’s important to be close to my parents and take care of them.”

Ande is a former basketball player and coach, so he knows how important athletics are to students and the community.

Ande grew up in Eastern Washington and Marysville. He didn’t plan on being an athletic director.

“My mom and brother are in education so education was a natural fit,” Ande said. “Coming into college, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do but I knew I wanted to be in education because I enjoy working with students so much and building those relationships.”

Ande graduated from Western Washington University with a K-12 Health and Fitness degree along with a master’s degree in education. However, Ande began his career as a physical education teacher in West Seattle for six years.

“Towards my fifth or sixth year, I wanted a new challenge,” Ande said. “I saw the position in Issaquah become available so I took the chance, and it worked out.”

Ande has just finished his first fall season as the Bainbridge High and Woodward Middle athletic director. BHS earned several all-league honors in a variety of sports and sent several teams to state playoffs.

As for his job, he spends it “navigating day-to-day activities with practices and games and confirming with officials and event workers,” he said.

This winter, his responsibilities will increase as commissioner of the Olympic League for basketball and also for Woodward’s middle school league. Lastly, Ande has worked with budgeting and supporting students by completing paperwork so they can participate in sports.

Ande has enjoyed many parts of his new job.

“The students are so kind,” Ande said, adding about the community, “there is a lot of great people.”

He does have challenges. He’s trying to increase Bainbridge’s opportunities in the postseason. Because BHS is in the Class 2A Olympic League, it is allowed minimal spots in the playoffs. In addition, he has been looking at the WIAA’s new amendment that can allow 3A and 4A schools to reclassify in the next couple of years.

Ande has set some early goals for himself and BHS athletics.

“Some of the important things for me are to increase opportunities for students,” Ande said. “Once they’re out, we want equitable experiences for all students. I also really want to open lines of communication for coaches and for families to come in and ask questions because communication is so important.”

Ande hopes to be at Bainbridge for a long time.

“I wouldn’t have left Issaquah if this wasn’t a destination job for me,” Ande said. “The school has some amazing things in place, and I just want to build on it and create something very special. I want to raise my family here and hope my kids come through the school and athletics program here.”