Glenvar High School has a new athletic director, and it’s one of their own. Tyler Brown, a 1998 graduate of Glenvar, has been approved as the new AD for the Highlanders and he’s excited to get the job.
“Glenvar High School Athletics has shaped me since a young age,” said Brown. “I can remember going to every football game and wrestling match when I was young. My family owned the Glenvar Chili Shop and when Glenvar football won the whole team ate for free.”
There won’t be any free meals from the new AD but the Glenvar teams will be in good hands. He has the approval of Glenvar football coach Kevin Clifford for one. Tyler was an assistant coach for Clifford before joining the GHS administration.
“I am really excited for Coach Brown and for Glenvar,” said Clifford. “He is an exceptional person.”
Tyler has a long background in sports. He played youth sports for the Glenvar Youth Boosters and participated in sports at Glenvar High.
Brown began his coaching career in 2009 as an assistant football coach at Eastern Montgomery High School. He moved to Northside as an assistant in 2012 and became head coach for the Vikings in 2016 before returning to his alma mater in 2017 as a football assistant and Special Education teacher.
In 2019 Tyler was named Dean of Students at GHS, a position he held until athletic director Richard McElwee died in November of last year. Brown served as interim athletic director from that point until he was named to the job full-time last week. He credits McElwee for preparing him for the position.
“I learned a lot from Mac,” said Brown. “He meant a lot to a lot of people. His genuine nature is something that I miss most about Mac and I hope to carry that with me through this experience.”
This is a tough time to take over, with the coronavirus pandemic, but Tyler is ready to forge ahead.
“I am learning something new every day,” he said. “I am thankful for all the help from other Roanoke County Athletic Directors and Three Rivers District Athletic Directors. I don’t know where we would be without all their help.”
Glenvar has always had a soft spot in Tyler’s heart, and he feels lucky to get the opportunity to serve at a school that not only puts an emphasis on sports, but he calls “home.”
“We are lucky to have a new turf football field, rubberized track, and new gym floor,” he said. “We’re grateful to Roanoke County for all the recent improvements to our athletic facilities. They don’t call it ‘Highlander Heaven’ for nothing. It’s a beautiful place to play and with the recent improvements it’s only gotten better.
“The Glenvar ‘G’ means a lot to me, my family, and this community and I couldn’t be more blessed by this opportunity.”
