Damon Placenti knew his life would change dramatically when he became a father of a recent newborn. It’s about to change even more.

Placenti was approved as director of athletics for Monroe Township High School at the Feb. 24 Board of Education meeting, and “goes live” April 26. Placenti succeeds Dave Kirk who moved to Point Pleasant Borough to become athletic director (AD) there last month. He comes from Group I North Arlington High School, which borders the Meadowlands in Bergen County where he’s beenAD for three and a half years. Monroe is Group IV for most sports, the largest high school classification in New Jersey.

“My wife [Dayna] and I live in Kearny,” Placenti said when contacted Friday. “The commute was never an issue when I thought about applying. I saw Monroe as an opportunity to grow professionally and become part of the district’s growth in the GMC sports community.”

A panel of coaches and administrators at Monroe agreed. Placenti’s vision was impressive enough during initial interviews to merit a second round with Principal Robert Goodall and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton. Their recommendation that Placenti be hired was brought before the Board of Education who gave its approval.

Placenti said his experience of growing up in Belleville, which neighbors North Arlington and is a city with many ethnic factions, was something he emphasized during interviews.

“In many ways, Monroe mirrors North Arlington in terms of the diversity of its students,” Placenti said. “And to me it’s important to have that perspective when administering the athletics program.

“I haven’t met all the coaches,” he continued, “but of those I did speak with, it was obvious we’re on the same page as to the direction we want athletics here to go. I’m somebody who likes to lead by example and will work hard to continue the success Monroe athletics has experienced.”

While the Falcons gained most of their notoriety in boys and girls soccer, the boys football and basketball teams, the two most visible sports, have enjoyed unprecedented success in recent years. Monroe captured its first ever Central Jersey Group III championship in December and the basketball team made its initial appearance in the GMC Tournament title game. The Falcon hoopsters were also top seeded in Central Jersey Group IV before bowing out in the quarterfinals.

With the influx of added students as more families move to Monroe, there’s promise of more success in other sports. Boys ice hockey and boys and girls lacrosse are sports that have been added to the program in the last three years. Finally, a new high school is nearing completion and is adjacent to the present high school. It includes a huge gymnasiumand spacious locker room facilities to accommodate the larger student body.

Placenti says his first order of business in April is to introduce himself to the athletic staff.

“I’ve been thinking about how that first day will go since I got the job,” he said. “The newness will take time to get used to but this is great for my career and I can’t wait to get started.”

The 60 days between when Placenti was approved until he begins is a professional courtesy extended to tenured teachers who change districts. A native of Belleville, Placenti graduated from the city’s high school and went to William Paterson University in Wayne where he graduated with a physical education degree in 2001. His first teaching position was with the Haledon District as a physical education teacher. He then moved to the North Arlington District where he taught physical education for three more years, then assumed the athletic director job in 2006.

While some may question how Placenti will weather his daily commute, his predecessor, Kirk, drove the same 45 minutes to and from Point Pleasant.

“I’m looking forward to a long-term relationshipwithMonroe,” he concluded. “Like anybody in my position, I believe athletics are an extension of the educational process. I’m looking forward to bringing my ideas to Monroe.”