MERRY HILL – Curves have been a part of his life forever.

Now the curve in Robert Kravitz’s future is a learning curve. The Lawrence Academy baseball, basketball and junior varsity football coach has moved up to the post of Athletic Director at the 1-A independent school.

&uot;I just want to get back to how it was,&uot; Kravitz said. &uot;Over the past two years, the athletic department has been down-sized and I want to pick it back up.&uot;

Kravitz, who becomes the area’s youngest top person in the Athletic Director’s chair, said he knew he had a lot to learn about leading the program, but believed with the support of the Warrior faithful, he could be successful.

&uot;I’m going to need support from the parents, alumni and faculty,&uot; he said. &uot;I’m going to need more support than those who have been here in the past.&uot;

When Kravitz assumed his duties, he immediately had to relinquish the roles of head basketball coach and head jayvee football skipper.

&uot;With the new responsibilities, I’ll only be able to keep baseball,&uot; Kravitz said. &uot;I’ve enjoyed the experiences of coaching three sports, but time will not allow for it if I’m going to do my best job as an AD.&uot;

Kravitz’s duties as a baseball coach and success in that role likely lead to his opportunity to lead the Warrior athletic department.

In his two years at the helm of the Warriors, they have made two state championship appearances, captured two Tarheel Independent Conference championships and won a single TIC tournament title.

His clubs have posted a 44-13 record in those two years and he was named Coach of the Year in the TIC for both seasons.

Baseball had been a way of life for Kravitz all of his adult years and before. He was a two-year starter under Randy Whitaker at Bertie High School and was named All-State as a catcher in his senior year.

From there he earned a scholarship at Elizabeth City State University where he was a four-year starter behind the plate.

Kravitz also played on the College USA team in 2002 and spent some time in an independent league after graduating from college.

Whitaker said he knew his former pupil would be a good choice for Lawrence.

&uot;Robert will do a good job as athletic director,&uot; Whitaker said. &uot;He’s a hard worker. He has proven that with his success down there.

&uot;He was a big help when he coached with me,&uot; Whitaker added. &uot;When he played, he gave it his all and that’s exactly how he’ll tackle that job.&uot;

One of the men who have worked with Kravitz at Lawrence Academy is Truitt Johnston, who left his post as a state champion head softball coach to join Kravitz on his baseball staff.

&uot;He’s the perfect man for the job,&uot; Johnston said. &uot;Robert has good rapport with the students and has worked tirelessly for Lawrence Academy athletics.

&uot;I think the program will get stronger with his leadership,&uot; Johnston added. &uot;He’s a good person and we’ll be a better school thanks to him taking this role.&uot;

Kravitz said he was looking forward to getting started, despite the fact that more than half of his coaching positions are vacant.

&uot;I’m looking forward to the overall experience,&uot; Kravitz said. &uot;I want to use this to start my career. This is what I want to do.

&uot;I’ll try my best and do my best.&uot;

As far as the coaching vacancies, Kravitz admitted that seeking to fill the positions would be an uphill battle, but said he would work hard and try to put the best people in place.

Thus far in his two years at Lawrence, the coach said the best part of working at the school had been the students and he expected that to continue.

&uot;The kids are the best part of the job. They’re close to me, especially the ones I’ve coached,&uot; he said. &uot;They have grown to love me and respect me and that’s what I love about working with them.

&uot;I can discipline them, but they can still look at me as an older brother,&uot; he said. &uot;That’s the best part.&uot;