Blue Ridge School has named Parker Kirwan its new athletic director. The former assistant athletic director, varsity tennis head coach, and varsity basketball assistant coach takes over the role on June 1.
Headmaster Trip Darrin says, “We are excited to see Baron athletics continue to grow under Parker’s leadership. His performance as a coach and teacher illustrates how committed he is to the success of the whole student-athlete, which is a core element of Blue Ridge School’s mission.”
Kirwan has been head coach of varsity tennis since 2018 and varsity basketball assistant coach since 2016. He also coached Barons JV basketball in 2016/17. Previously, he coached varsity boys basketball at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for three years.
“I’m very excited and thankful for the opportunity to take on this new role,” says Kirwan. “Blue Ridge has a rich history of successful athletics and I look forward to continuing that in the coming years. I envision a great future for BRS athletics, one that focuses on empowering our student-athletes and coaches. Go Barons!”
In addition to coaching, Kirwan teaches 11th and 12th grade English, as well as the sports broadcasting elective, which he created for the School. He has a masters of education in sport leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University and joined Blue Ridge School in 2016 as a teaching intern. He became a full-time teacher and coach in 2018.
While assistant coach for Baron varsity basketball, the team earned four state championships and produced NCAA Division I standouts Aamir Simms (Clemson), Darius McGhee (Liberty), and Sardaar Calhoun (Florida State University/Texas Tech).
Kirwan follows Bryan Puckett who served as athletic director from 2015 to 2021. During that period, Blue Ridge School amassed several championships, greatly enhanced the weight training and conditioning facilities, and completed the expansion of the Baron Athletic Complex. Conference championships during Puckett’s tenure include basketball (2017, 2019, 2020), lacrosse (2017, 2018, 2019), track (2017, 2021), and football (2017). Baron basketball also won four state championships (2017, 2019, 2020, 2021) and Baron football earned the 2016 state title. Puckett was also an integral part of Blue Ridge School’s Reopening Task Force, which successfully planned and executed school operations during the pandemic. Blue Ridge extends tremendous thanks to Puckett for his service to its students and wishes him well in the future.
Blue Ridge School is an independent all-boys, all-boarding school for grades 9-12 and competes in the Virginia Independent Conference of the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association.
