Current Athletic Director Debbie Katzfey announced her retirement on Monday, May 20 via email to the BVNW staff. According to Katzfey, this decision was difficult and came after much consideration of her family situation.
“My mother was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer, my brother-in-law has pancreatic cancer and my daughter who lives in Dallas is expecting a baby at the beginning of August,” Katzfey said. “I just felt like it was my time and my turn to change my focus to taking care of my family to be more available to spend the time I have.”
Katzfy said she revealed her decision to the administrative team during one of the group’s meetings on Monday. According to Katzfey, during the previous weekend she felt very conflicted about what she should do going forward, and then suddenly announced her retirement during the group’s discussion.
“I still didn’t have a plan and really wasn’t thinking I was gonna say I was going to retire and then Monday morning I rolled in here and Miss Diana was talking to Dr. Sharp about who was leaving and who was retiring and who was going elsewhere. All of a sudden, I just had that ‘aha moment’ and I said, ‘Add me to the list.’”
Katzfey is leaving her career after 40 years of working as a teacher, coach and administrator. Fellow administrator and future BVNW principal Leah Vomhof said Katzfey was a big supporter of the Huskies during her career and was a passionate member of the administrative team.
“When you’re Athletic Director, you should be your school’s teams’ biggest cheerleader,” Vomhof said. “She is obviously a really strong supporter of Husky athletics and she wears the purple proudly.”
As Athletic Director, Katzfey worked closely with the Northwest coaching staff. According to varsity boy’s soccer coach Brian Pollack, Katzfey is a very energetic, caring and positive person, qualities that are essential for athletic directors.
“As an athletic director, one of the most important things is showing that you have time for coaches when they have a question or concern, or simply have time to check in on your coaches. I think that’s something that Debbie excels at,” Pollack said. “She’s always willing to take time out of her day, even if it’s busy, to hear your concerns or needs.”
Pollack said he is sad about Katzfey’s retirement but is happy she will be able to spend more time with her family.
“We’re going to really miss her passion, her love for Northwest and zest for life,” Pollack said.
Katzfey said she will be leaving with a heavy heart and will miss the staff and students at BVNW, but she knows she must take this opportunity to take time and do the little things.
“The most important thing I can take away from it is that life is short,” Katzfey said. “Enjoy today, there’s no promise of tomorrow.”
