The winter conditions of the Yampa Valley can make Northwest Colorado a hard sell for some potential employers, but Moffat County High SchoolMoffat County High School found a new member of its faculty who’s toughed it out through far more than the typical snowfall Craig has to offer. found a new member of its faculty who’s toughed it out through far more than the typical snowfall Craig has to offer.

Moffat County High School found a new member of its faculty who’s toughed it out through far more than the typical snowfall Craig has to offer.

Rich Houghton officially began as the new athletics and activities director for MCHS this week, signing a contract for the position Wednesday.

Houghton replaces Mike Mitchell as Moffat County’s athletic director, whose contract was not renewed by outgoing principal Kelly McCormick.

When contacted by the Daily Press, Mitchell said he would be pursuing other opportunities.

Houghton comes to Moffat County with 44 years of education experience under his belt, spending the past seven years in Glenwood Springs, working as a teacher for high school and middle school ages, as well as coaching middle school track.

He has also worked as a basketball official and track volunteer where he came across students from MCHS.

“I was always real impressed with the way they carried themselves sportsmanship-wise,” he said.

Much of the new AD’s professional experience comes from time spent in Alaska, though he is originally from western Michigan. Shortly after marrying his wife, Sandy, the couple relocated to The Last Frontier, right in the northern part of the state on the Arctic Circle.

“We lived in a 9-by-14 shack with a leaky roof, a heater that didn’t work and no running water,” he laughed. “36 years later, we’re still married.”

Living and raising a family in some very remote areas — including Noatak, representing Napaaqtugmiut School as one of two Alaska educators as part of NASA’s Teacher-in-Space program in the 1980s preceding the Space Shuttle Challenger disasterone of two Alaska educators as part of NASA’s Teacher-in-Space program in the 1980s preceding the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster — Houghton eventually found himself in Seward, working there for 16 years, the last five of which was spent as an athletic director. — Houghton eventually found himself in Seward, working there for 16 years, the last five of which was spent as an athletic director.

one of two Alaska educators as part of NASA’s Teacher-in-Space program in the 1980s preceding the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster — Houghton eventually found himself in Seward, working there for 16 years, the last five of which was spent as an athletic director.

The Houghtons moved back to the Lower 48 in 2004, settling in Colorado, where he went on to teach middle school science in Eagle County and also served as Battle Mountain High School’s AD for four years before coming to Glenwood.

Justin Folley, who coaches boys golf and baseball for the Bulldogs, said he is looking forward to the new leadership, meeting with Houghton briefly on his first official day on the job.

“From what I know about him, I think he’ll be able to help us turn some stuff around,” Folley said. “I’m looking forward to a fresh eye, a fresh look.”

New MCHS principal Craig Crebar also expressed excitement for Houghton’s hiring. Though the two never crossed paths professionally, they both have a background in science and living in Alaska, Crebar also having worked in Noatak.

“He’s very sharp, knows his stuff, knows the ins and outs of working with coaches and kids,” Crebar said.

MCHS will host a meet-and-greet event for both the new principal and AD from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Aug. 10 in the second floor commons.

Houghton also will host a parent meeting for those involved in fall sports including football, volleyball, cross country, boys soccer and rodeo at 6 p.m. Aug. 9 in the cafeteria.

He is currently focused on getting the fall sports started smoothly, including revitalizing the cheer team, and working on filling coaching vacancies that currently exist in winter and spring sports, including girls basketball and both swim teams.

Also a priority is fulfilling the guidelines of Colorado High School Activities AssociationColorado High School Activities Association and working to help student-athletes perform in both the classroom and in their sports. and working to help student-athletes perform in both the classroom and in their sports.

Colorado High School Activities Association and working to help student-athletes perform in both the classroom and in their sports.

“I’m looking forward to developing athletes and improving performance,” he said. “Our main mission in CHSAA is developing good people for the future.”

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.