Art Petitto was born in Lost Creek. Today, he lives on the same property in which he was born in a home built behind his mother’s house.

 

Change, it’s safe to say, isn’t a necessity for Petitto. The fact his home, to this day, is within eye sight of the very same place where he first skinned his knees isn’t the only example.

 

One need to look no further than Petitto’s career. Back in 1975, when gas was right around 44 cents a gallon, he started teaching at Bridgeport Junior High School on Newton Street.

 

Fast forward 43 years and only two things have changed. Petitto has watched as junior highs became middle schools and as the school on Newton Street moved to Johnson Avenue.

 

Earlier this month one other thing changed. After four-plus decades teaching in the same school, Petitto officially called it quits on the teaching front.

 

Never once did he think about changing his school.

 

“When you consider I lived in the same place forever, maybe that’s why I never looked elsewhere,” said Petitto with a chuckle. “I guess that could be it.”

 

Here’s the thing. If you’ve walked through the halls for any type of business whether it was educational or otherwise, chances are good you met or ran into Art Petitto. I got to know him well many years ago in his role as an athletic director at the middle school even though I knew of him prior to that.

 

It was 16 years ago Petitto took on the duties as the Braves’ athletic director. And while he’s giving up teaching, he won’t be giving up the duties as the school’s AD. That sits fine with current principal Dave Mazza.

 

“He loves being the athletic director and I love the fact he’s still doing it because I know everything that needs to be done will be done. You just show up and it’s handled,” said Mazza. “As an administrator, that’s something I don’t have to spend time thinking or worrying about because I know it’s handled and I’m glad he’s back for that even though he’s stepping away after a long time in the classroom.

 

“One of the things I enjoy is seeing a new student come in and the parent has had (Petitto) as their teacher,” Mazza continued. “They could talk about what it’s like or was going to be like having him as a teacher. That tells you how the time he’s spent in education.”

 

Forty-three years, by any measure, is a long time. Doing that time at the same school is what makes it extremely unique.

 

“I told myself when I started I was likely only going to do this a couple of years. I said that 43 years ago and here I am,” Petitto said.

 

Petitto’s reason for staying was how much he enjoyed working with the kids and, of course, the AD duties. During his time at the school, Petitto also spent time as a basketball coach for seven years and even officiated. Nothing really gave him the satisfaction similar to teaching until the AD’s job opened up.

 

“Honestly, that kept me going and kept me fresh. If I hadn’t started the athletic director’s job I may have retired early,” said Petitto. “I ended up getting wrapped up in what I was doing and getting involved statewide.”

 

Before talking about what’s on the future AD plate, it’s important to look at the past. It’s a past not everyone can recall.

 

When Petitto began, his teaching was extremely hands on. The school on Newton featured an old style shop and Petitto was the person in charge.

 

“We had the table saw, the ban saw and all of that equipment and I did that for 20 years until we moved to the new middle school and we changed the program to tech (education),” said Petitto, who said he spent many evenings in the old shop doing work and prepping for the next day of classes. “It was a complete change that featured projects without heavy equipment such as robotics and computer drafting. In the middle of my career it turned out to be a positive time in my career to face a new challenge in the classroom.”

 

Petitto said additional change came on the leadership front. He taught under six different principals. His first principal was Phil “Sonny” Nicewarner and was followed by Bill Fahey, Frank Devono, John Branham, Carole Crawford and Mazza.

 

“I know people that have taught for decades that are amazed after 43 years I only had six principals,” he said. “That stability is a big reason this school has been successful.

 

“The principals all had their own traits with one thing in common. They were all very good principals,” Petitto continued. “They all supported the students to make the school succeed academically and they all supported the school’s athletic programs, which was very important to me as the AD.”

 

Every year Crawford served she had Petitto on the staff. She said it was clear to her he was extremely up to the challenge of teaching and being the athletic director.

 

“What I admired about him was his passion to make sure that the student-athletes were, first, academically successful and then to be prepared to be successful athletically and represent themselves, their families and the school with pride,” said Crawford. “Add to that his knowledge of the school going back decades and what he’s done there is impressive. When you think about his time you have to realize people today can’t even carry some of the types of certifications he has.”

 

Certifications seemed far from Petitto’s mind as a youngster. He had everything figured out. He was going to be the catcher for the New York Yankees.

 

“That didn’t work out,” he laughed. “What did work out was taking advice from (the late) Angelo Basile who told me if I liked sports to sit and watch Joe Retton at Fairmont State because I would learn more watching that guy that I could ever learn playing the game. He was right and it further made me enjoy sports. Part of what I watched made me jump at the athletic director’s job here when it came open.”

 

Petitto’s love of his athletic director’s role isn’t hyperbole. He’s currently the president of the West Virginia Athletic Director’s Association that represents ADs at the prep and middle school level. That position will lead hi,, to serve on the board of directors for the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC) next year. Already, Petitto works with the SSAC at tournaments.

 

“I talk to the new people starting as athletic directors and when they ask questions I remember going through what they’re going through. The good news is that it’s old hat to me and I’m comfortable with the questions or issues and problems that come up and have a statewide network of people to work with to hash out any problem that may arise,” he said. “That’s why I’m staying on as the AD. I can enjoy that and do other things as well.”

 

The other “things” are what led Petitto to officially call it a teaching career. And he’s got a couple of good reasons.

 

“Both of my grandkids are involved in sports in Hurricane. (My wife) Nancy and I are on the road constantly and now we don’t have to worry about driving back at midnight,” said Petitto. “It’s a simple thing like that, but it means spending more time with my family. That’s something I’m very much looking forward to being able to do. I think most people understand that.”

 

They certainly do, but if they didn’t it wouldn’t matter. You’ve earned your time away from the classroom and you’ve earned your retirement.

 

Enjoy it. See you at the gym.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Art Petitto this past year at 8th Grade Night during a BMS basketball game, while he's shown talking with photographer Tom Mellott in the second picture. In the bottom photo, Petitto gets the honor of handing a tournament championship trophy in a competition where he served as tournament director. Bottom photo shows BMS Principal Dave Mazza, who is thrilled Petitto is staying on as athletic director.