PORTLAND — Rich Drummond, the Portland High athletic director since 2005, announced Monday that he is resigning, effective June 30, to assume the same position in his hometown of Windham.

“I’m a resident of Windham,” Drummond said. “The community is a place I see myself staying and being a part of. I have ties there with my kids being in the community. It makes complete sense for me to make the transition.

“I wasn’t an easy decision because I love Portland High, the kids, coaches and staff,” he added. “Portland High has been really good to me. A piece of me is upset about leaving, but a piece of me looks forward to what lies ahead.”

Drummond grew up in Presque Isle and played basketball and baseball in high school. He then went to the University of Maine-Presque Isle and played basketball while working on his degree in physical education. He began his teaching career in Milo and became the Noble High athletic director in 1998. Drummond served in that position until 2005.

Drummond then succeeded Gary Groves at Portland, where he faced many challenges, but he handled them with aplomb and leaves with many happy memories.

“Our athletic program continues to compete at a high level,” Drummond said. “I’m proud of the number of kids involved in activities, on and off the athletic field. I’m most proud of being associated with the school. It’s been great for me. Professionally and individually.”

Drummond also leaves a legion of admirers in his wake.

“From Day 1, Rich brought honesty, integrity and class to the position of Activities Director at Portland High,” said the school’s longtime boys’ soccer coach and one-time athletic director Rocky Frenzilli. “He is a great listener, he does his homework and is fair and consistent when making decisions. His door was always open and he was a pleasure to work for. He’s as solid as they come.”

“Rich has been absolutely phenomenal,” said Portland High principal Mike Johnson. “His Type-A personality makes him incredibly organized. He’s very compassionate. Student-athletes absolutely love him. He’s constantly asking them about school and family. He talks to them about things not related to athletics. he works with and educates the whole person. He’ll be tough to replace. It’s an extremely difficult loss.”

“I think Rich was the perfect guy for Portland,” added Groves, now the athletic director at Scarborough, who indicated he had no intention of returning to Portland High. “His demeanor and personality really fit well. There’s so much to juggle in that job above and beyond the normal AD stuff with all the facilities, the Sea Dogs, Red Claws and everything else that comes up. He did a great job with it. He’s a good one. I know he’ll fit well at Windham.”

Drummond and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of twin seven-year-old daughters, Anna and Emily. Drummond will start at Windham on July 1 and looks forward to a new set of challenges.

“It’s very different, but it’s the type of different that I can get home early,” he said. “Windham is a school that’s been on a nice run. The future looks very bright.”

Johnson said that the job will be posted and that a committee will be formed to find Drummond’s successor.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net

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Portland High athletic director Rich Drummond is leaving at the end of June to take over as AD at Windham High.