Joseph Maione was announced as Kenston Forest School’s (KFS) new athletic director in a recent letter addressed to the Kavalier Community from KFS Headmaster Paul Zanowski.

Bart Bellairs, who has been the athletic director at Kenston Forest for two years, will be leaving the school to return to Kentucky.

In his letter, Zanowski said that “in Joe Maione we have someone who embodies the highest ideals of the scholar-athlete and leader. He is an outstanding role model and mentor. He has a proven track record of success as a coach, as a leader of coaches and as a visionary leader of independent school athletic programs.”

Zanowski noted that Maione brings with him 20 years of experience and leadership in all facets of independent school athletics. He has coached baseball, basketball, cross country, football, soccer and softball. At Kentucky Country Day School, he served as assistant athletic director, middle school athletic director and as a teacher. Currently, he serves as athletic director at Ridgecroft School in Ahoskie, North Carolina.

Many athletes Maione has worked with have earned athletic scholarships at Division I, II and III schools, with some even advancing to the professional level, Zanowski said.

“At Ridgecroft, his athletes compete for honors such as ‘Highest Team GPA’ and ‘AD’s Academic Honor Roll’ just as hard as they compete for conference championships,” Zanowski said in his letter. “He has created study hall and tutoring programs for athletes, as well as strength and conditioning classes.”

He included a statement from Maione in his letter to the Kavalier community.

“I am eager to bring my experience and expertise in athletics to Kenston Forest, and I look forward to working closely with and getting to know all of you,” Maione said.

Maione will begin his new job July 10.