McAnulty named new athletic director for N.S. schools

NORTH SMITHFIELD – The North Smithfield School Department may not have had the best of luck in retaining athletic directors over the past two years, but it seems they have no trouble finding qualified candidates to fill the role.

Robert McAnulty will be the latest educator to fill the position, in an appointment that left the job open for barely a week following the resignation of Christopher Branch.

A graduate from Woonsocket High School with the Class of 2005, McAnulty comes to North Smithfield following a position leading athletics at Blackstone Millville Regional Schools.

The city native got his first taste of work in an athletics department in his home town, serving as volunteer assistant athletic director for Woonsocket schools while working on his bachelor’s degree in sports, entertainment and event management at Johnson & Wales University. McAnulty went on to earn his master’s in education sports administration from the University of Miami.

He served as the AD at St. Mary’s Schools in Worcester before taking the job at BMR in 2020 amid Covid-19 restrictions on sports.

The 37-year-old, who reportedly still works as substitute teacher and on the grounds crew at Blackstone Millville schools, accepted the part-time role leading the Northmen last week.

The position, held for some 17 years by North Smithfield Middle School health and physical education teacher Matthew Tek for an additional $15,000 stipend, was filled last August by Amanda Bean. Bean served through the 2023/2024 school year before resigning over the summer to take a position as athletic trainer at Toll Gate High School.

Branch was named to the position in August, but would serve for just one month before submitting his resignation earlier this month.

The School Committee is scheduled to discuss McAnulty’s appointment at their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24.