Craig Franzen Named New Athletic Director of La Canada High School

In a city where academics and athletics are so important, two familiar faces on the La Canada High School campus take on two new positions next year. As many of you are already aware, Dr. Jackie Luzak will be the new LCHS 9-12 principal and a more recent change involves Craig Franzen taking over as Athletic Director. Former Athletic Director Tamar Hill will continue to play a role in Spartan athletics as the Lady Spartan basketball coach.

We spoke to Craig Franzen yesterday afternoon about his new position:

trLC: With summer break just around the corner and the recent announcement of your position as Athletic Director, how are you feeling? What are your plans for the summer?

Craig Franzen: I am feeling anxious, I would like to have a coaches meeting tomorrow, but it is just not possible. I am very fortunate to have Tamar still working to the end of the school year because she is leaving me time to learn the little intricacies of the job. I have a couple of short vacations planned to Catalina and the Caribbean. Looking forward to some relaxation, but Athletics will always be in the back of my mind….

trLC: How long have you been teaching at La Canada High School?

Craig Franzen: Just finishing my eight year!

trLC: Where did you go to high school?

Craig Franzen: LCHS – Spartan for life (I guess)

trLC: How does it feel teaching at the school you attended?

Craig Franzen: It is really fun because I know so much of the history. I know what happened here in the 80′s and how this place has changed.

trLC: Are any of your former teachers now your colleagues?

Craig Franzen: When I first started here, I had multiple colleagues (6) in my department that I had as a student (It was a little awkward at first.) Still around are Patty Compeau, the Harv, Mrs. Chahine, Mrs. Warda, and Janis Fuhrman.

trLC: What subjects do you teach?

Craig Franzen: My focus has been Government/Economics, but I can teach any social science topic.

trLC: Are you a big sports fan? What are your favorite teams?

Craig Franzen: I am a huge sports addict. I love Kings Hockey, the only sport where you can fight and still come back into the game. A Dodger fan when they are not playing the Cardinals or the Yankees. Lifelong Trojan fan Fight On, Baby!  Lakers of the 80′s were fun to watch, and still a Laker fan today. Pro football: Patriots.

trLC: Are the Lakers going to win the NBA Finals this year? Predictions?

Craig Franzen: Lakers in 6 – Oops! Lakers in 7

trLC:How many years did you serve as Sports Coordinator? How will that experience apply to your new position as Athletic Director?

Craig Franzen: Officially, I was Sports Coordinator for 2 years, but I spent another two years training with Randy Boal. It allowed me to see the nuances of working with the coaches and the athletes. This year has been more about learning the CIF rules and how to make sure we are fulfilling our requirements.

trLC: Tamar Hill has been a great Athletic Director, how do you plan to take what she has started and continue to take La Canada High School athletics to the next level?

Craig Franzen: Tamar implemented a lot of new technology, I want to take another step with that. Already, I have been working on Spartan-Atheltics.net, a website that will communicate with fans, athletes, and parents. Also, working with ASB to promote Spartan pride.  Also, I was inspired by Brock Turner’s volleyball team and their Dig-4-the-Cure. I would love to see the community come together at least 3 times a year for similar causes.

trLC: What goals do you have for LCHS athletics?

Craig Franzen: First year, I would like to work on sportsmanship. We are very good a majority of the time, but I want us to display good sportsmanship  all of the time.

trLC: This year we saw great examples of how the Spartan Nation can really influence the outcome of a game. What are your plans in regards to creating more of that type of environment?

Craig Franzen: The key for me is working with the ASB and the Girls Athletic Club, by getting students excited. Also, bringing the community together for the above mentioned for service projects.

trLC: Balancing academics and athletics is vital to student athletes, what is your advice to student athletes that struggle with this?

Craig Franzen: You are a student first and an athlete second. We have so many ways to get help now with the STEP program, I  encourage all students to achieve their best in the classroom. Additionally, both LCUSD and CIF Southern Section agree that all students must achieve in the classroom before being eligible to play after school. Do your best!

trLC: What is your personal definition of a Spartan?

Craig Franzen: Fiercely loyal and fighter to the end.

A few fun questions….

trLC: Where is your favorite place to eat in La Canada?

Craig Franzen: Taylor’s

trLC: Where is your favorite place to vacation?

Craig Franzen: Caribbean

trLC: Pepsi or Coke?

Craig Franzen: Coke

trLC: Heroes?

Craig Franzen: John Wooden & George Carlin

trLC: Apple or Windows?

Craig Franzen: Duh – APPLE!

trLC: Blackberry or iPhone?

Craig Franzen: Crackberry now, waiting for Apple to unleash the iPhone

trLC: Chipotle or Baja Fresh?

Craig Franzen: Chipotle

trLC: Favorite TV show?

Craig Franzen: 2.5 Men

trLC: Google, Yahoo, or Bing?

Craig Franzen: Does it matter?

trLC: Angels or Dodgers?

Craig Franzen: Dodgers the only real LA team

trLC: Trojans or Bruins?

Craig Franzen: Trojan, (alumni 1995)

trLC: Facebook or Twitter?

Craig Franzen: BOTH

Congratulations to Craig on his new position and a BIG thank you  to Tamar Hill for all of her excellent work.