LIVINGSTON MANOR –– As an elementary school student, Adam Larson spent a lot of time in the principal’s office. Not because he was in trouble, but because his father Al was Livingston Manor’s high school principal.

As of July 1, Larson, now 43 years old, holds the same position that his father once did.

Larson, a 1997 graduate of Livingston Manor, takes Shirlee Davis’ place, as the longtime member of the district has retired. In fact, Davis taught Larson when he was a fifth grader.

He fondly remembers arriving before the start of the school day and sitting in his father’s office at Manor, where he would color or talk with the secretary. By the time he was in high school, Al had left the district to take the superintendent’s job at his alma mater, Jeff-Youngsville.

Following his graduation from Christopher Newport University, Larson started his career in academia in Virginia, where he spent four years as a middle school physical education teacher, and one year teaching high school.

He returned home to Manor in 2009, beginning his tenure as a middle school health/physical education teacher. In 2014-15, Larson took over the athletics program and up until recently served as the Director of Health, Wellness and Physical Education at both the Manor and Roscoe Central School Districts.

Dave Eggleton will be rejoining the Manor School District, where he once was co-athletic director, later this month, to take over for Larson at Roscoe and Manor. Eggleton will also serve as Manor’s assistant high school principal.

Despite Manor not requiring a Master’s in Administration to be the district’s athletic director, Larson felt it was the right thing for the district to pursue one, which he’s since earned from SUNY New Paltz.

Larson, in addition to his work in interscholastic athletics, has coached the Wildcats boys basketball and baseball teams in the past.

Coaching, like being principal, was something else he had in common with his father.

“We shared a love of athletics,” said Larson. “He was a well-respected coach. We both were very diligent coaches and tried to get the most out of our athletes. Hopefully that will translate over to our students and staff.”

Becoming a principal wasn’t something that was at the forefront of Larson’s mind, but he said that as he gets closer to retirement, he has thought more about what his goals are and how he can better serve his community. 

“I’m from here,” said Larson, “and sometimes when there’s a knock at the door, you answer.”