Pete Panuska Named Athletic Director At Brick High School

BRICK, NJ — Thirty-five years ago, Pete Panuska left his mark on Keller Memorial Field, racking up yards and touchdowns as he led the Brick Township Green Dragons football team to a state championship and earned himself a scholarship to the University of Tennessee.

Now, Panuska will be leading the Green Dragons again — this time as the school's athletic director. Panuska was approved Thursday night as the Brick Township High School athletic director. He will take the position in February 2017, replacing Rick Handchen, who is retiring.

It is seen by most as a fitting appointment who helped Brick imprint its name on the state's football consciousness with three straight state sectional titles in the early 1980s.

"Mr. Panuska has dedicated his career to the staff and students of Brick Township and we look forward to his continued enthusiasm and commitment to both Brick Township High School and the Shore Conference," the district said in a news release.

Panuska, who received his degree from Tennessee in hotel and restaurant management but who later received his special education certification from Georgian Court University, also has a master's degree in administration and supervision from New Jersey City University. He will be the supervisor of physical education as well as the athletic director, the district said.

Panuska graduated from Brick in 1982, after leading the Dragons to an undefeated season and the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV title. Panuska, a first-team All-Shore selection, took his talents to Tennessee, where he set a record for the longest kickoff return for a touchdown with a 100-yard score in the 1984 Sun Bowl.

Panuska, who returned to New Jersey in 1994, coached football, cross country and track while earning his special education certification and taught at Veterans Memorial Middle School for several years before moving into administration. He became an assistant principal at Brick Memorial in 2005 and more recently served as assistant principal at Brick.

Students put together a video interview with Panuska last year; you can see it below.

Photo provided by the Brick Township School District