Drake D’Angelo set to take reins of Greensburg Salem athletic programs

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 | 7:56 PM

A family man with a positive attitude, familiarity of the area and high expectations is primed to oversee athletics at Greensburg Salem.

Drake D’Angelo, the current athletic director at Burrell, was hired Wednesday night and will stay closer to home to lead Golden Lions’ sports.

He takes over for Dave Zilli, who filled in as interim AD after the resignation of Frank Sundry. The AD since 2020, Sundry is now an assistant principal in the district. Zilli is retiring as principal.

A 1999 Hempfield graduate, D’Angelo has been at Burrell since 2017 but had worked as the former senior program director at Greensburg YMCA.

He lives in Greensburg with his wife, Jenn, and their two daughters, Gianna (11) and Adelina (5).

“My entire family, both on my side and my wife’s side, lives in the area, too,” said D’Angelo, 42. “Being a Greensburg resident, I have been involved with several youth programs in the district, and there are numerous fantastic families and kids that I will get the opportunity to work with. My own children attend (Greensburg Salem), and I look forward to helping to support the great culture that is already there, and help to support and build continued success.”

A former AD at Littlestown and Fairfield as well, D’Angelo played a key role in several projects at Burrell, including the streamlining of procedures in the department with a move to online registration, the livestreaming of events and an increased social media presence.

He helped oversee renovations to Buccaneer Stadium and the school’s softball field, and aided in the development of new programs including unified bocce, middle schools track and field and girls wrestling.

“Leaving Burrell is bittersweet,” he said. “I really enjoyed working with the administration, coaching staff and community but mostly will cherish my time working with the student-athletes. I can’t say enough nice things about the kids of Burrell. They are special and I look forward to creating those same relationships with the kids at GS.”

D’Angelo, who played football at Clarion as a center before finishing college at Cal (Pa.), made sure to attend as many Burrell events as he could and plans to do the same at his new stop.

“I am most proud of being a consistent supporter of the athletes whether it was being there daily to help with questions or attending big events to support the students’ success,” he said. “Being at state championships each year to see our athletes achieve their ultimate goals was special.

“I hope to bring a continued culture of teamwork to support the student athletes and coaches in the district, as well as being accessible to the community to support overall growth of the athletic department.”

D’Angelo said he hopes to start in mid February.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg Salem