LHS athletic director Ben Mann leaving

By Gregg Rettig

Managing Editor

Ben Mann said he’s leaving the area with mixed emotions.

The London High School athletic director has announced that he will resign his position of two years when his contract expires in July. He will assume the duties as assistant principal and athletic director for the Southern Wells Community School District in Indiana, located about 30 miles south of Fort Wayne, for the next school year.

“London has been very good to my wife (Maggie) and I,” Mann said. “Really, it’s been a blast. Sure, there were some tough times, but London has always treated us well and I think we were able to accomplish some good things in our short time here.”

The Manns just had their first child, Elsy, who is now four weeks old.

“Really, it will be nice moving closer to home and having the extended family — aunts, uncles, grandparents all near,” Mann said. “Southern Wells is a good fit, too. They are competitive and there’s a lot of things happening there.

“I know we have built up some great relationships during our time here in London, which makes it even tougher to leave.”

School board members declined to comment until the next school board meeting.

London will compete one more season in South Central Ohio League before it leaves for the Mid-State League for 2013-14.