MOSES LAKE — Todd Gregory was named the new Athletic Director at Moses Lake Christian Academy earlier this summer. As he heads into his first year in the role, things are already expected to look different this school year. For instance, the Lions will not have a football team this season.  

“We did not renew our contract with Covenant (Christian School), so we lost some athletes this year,” Gregory said. “I think in the long run we'll end up getting some of those families that want to do athletics but stay in the Christian school atmosphere. I'm hoping that happens and we're able to get football going again.”

Prior to stepping into this role, he served as the softball coach and assistant athletic director. While football is the only sport currently cancelled, other sports such as baseball also remain up in the air for the time being until they can determine if they meet the requirements for turnout, Gregory said.  

Despite these hardships, the growth of Lions athletics remains a goal for him.  

“Baseball is always a ‘If we have the numbers,’ but we haven’t had the numbers in two seasons,” he said. “With the boys we had and dropping football, I don't see us having the numbers for baseball again. But I mean, that's always a possibility to bring back as well. Also, would like to start up wrestling if I got numbers and kids that are interested, but we'll have to see on that one.” 

In the midst of his transition into this role, he feels confident in his ability to take it on given his prior experience working alongside former athletic director Josh Kast.  

“It helped a lot because I was able to do game day management,” he said. “Josh coached everything, so that was one of the biggest things with AD's. Your school needs a representative who's focused on supervising and not focused on the game itself, so that was one of the things I did as Josh coached football and girls basketball, and so it gave me the opportunity to get that experience.” 

Gregory always anticipated stepping into the athletic director role, he said. While he thought he would have to wait a bit longer, he’s eager to build off Kast’s tenure.  

“I'm just excited about it all,” Gregory said. “First year under the helm, it's one of those things, you got challenges and I'm excited to try and deal with those challenges. (We’re) trying to find a couple middle school coaches right now, that's been a challenge. It's kind of frustrating, but exciting at the same time as because you're doing something that an assistant AD (doesn’t) have any control doing any of that stuff. So, it's exciting to go out there and do this.” 

Above all else, the community that exists at MLCA excites him the most as he steps fully into his new role, he said.  

“I just love the family aspect and hard work that these kids put into it, not only educationally and athletically, but spiritually, so it's a lot of good kids that I get to be around,” Gregory said.