Sara Loete knows firsthand how a school can shape a career. More than a decade ago, she arrived at Evansville Harrison High School as a new teacher and coach, and the experience left a lasting impression. Now, she's stepping into a role that could do the same for others.

Loete was officially approved as Harrison's new athletic director during the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. board meeting on Monday. With 15 years in education—12 of them at Harrison—she brings a deep sense of loyalty and familiarity to the position. Most recently, she served as the school's assistant principal for four years.

For Loete, the move back to athletics feels natural. "I've always been involved with sports," she said. "Getting to work with a different group of students has been really positive for me. I love giving back to the Harrison community. Harrison feels like home."

Her roots as a former athlete and coach never faded, and that itch to return to the field—both literally and figuratively—remained strong. In her new role, she'll oversee a program that helped launch her own career, aiming to provide the same support and mentorship to today's student-athletes and staff.

As the IHSAA baseball season heats up and sectional pairings are set for Southwestern Indiana, Loete's appointment signals a fresh chapter for Harrison athletics—one built on experience, community, and a passion for the game.