Lansing Catholic Welcomes Chris Bishop as Athletic Director
Leadership transition expands support for athletics, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and student wellness while advancing the school's mission of forming the whole student.
Lansing Catholic High School is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Bishop as its new Athletic Director. Bishop brings more than 25 years of experience in education and 15 years in athletic administration, having served in leadership roles at schools in Michigan, China, and the Netherlands.
The appointment reflects Lansing Catholic's ongoing commitment to supporting the whole student. Through the generosity of donors and supporters, the school is expanding its focus on athletics, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and wellness to better prepare students for success in the classroom, in competition, and beyond graduation.
Following a collaborative evaluation of the school's athletic programs and future needs, Lansing Catholic identified an opportunity to align its leadership structure with emerging best practices in educational athletics. This model, which has become increasingly common among leading high school athletic programs, allows for greater focus on student-athlete development, performance, wellness, and long-term health. As a result, current Athletic Director Kenny Goodrich will transition into a newly expanded role as Director of Strength & Conditioning, where he will focus on helping students build lifelong habits that support physical health, performance, and overall well-being.
"This change is about identifying opportunities to better serve our students," said Dominic Iocco, President of Lansing Catholic High School. "Kenny and I spent considerable time discussing where our students would benefit most in the years ahead. We recognized the value of having dedicated leadership in both athletic administration and strength and conditioning. Chris and Kenny each bring unique strengths, and together they will help us continue building an exceptional experience for our students while promoting habits that support lifelong health and wellness."
Bishop's career has taken him from Mid-Michigan to international schools in Shanghai and The Hague, where he oversaw athletic programs, coached staff, and helped develop student-centered athletic cultures. Most recently, he served at Holt High School, where he focused on coach development, program improvement, and student-athlete success.
"What I enjoy most about this work is helping people succeed," said Bishop. "Whether it's supporting coaches, encouraging student-athletes, or helping programs grow, I enjoy creating environments where people can do their best work. Athletics can be one of the most powerful tools we have to teach leadership, resilience, accountability, and teamwork."
A graduate of Western Michigan University, where he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees, Bishop is a national teaching faculty member for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). He has co-authored leadership curriculum used by athletic administrators across the country and regularly presents at state and national conferences.
For Bishop, the opportunity to join Lansing Catholic is both professional and personal. His daughter attends Lansing Catholic, his wife assists with the school's track and field program, and the family has been active members of the local Catholic community since returning to Michigan.
"I am excited for the opportunity to serve Lansing Catholic High School as Athletic Director," said Bishop. "The combination of faith, academics, athletics, and community makes this a special place. I look forward to working alongside our coaches, student-athletes, families, and school leadership to continue building a world-class educational athletics program that reflects the mission and values of Lansing Catholic."
Goodrich, who has served as Athletic Director while leading the school's strength and conditioning efforts, welcomed the opportunity to devote more attention to an area he believes will benefit all students.
"I've always believed that athletics can be a vehicle for helping young people become the best version of themselves," said Goodrich. "This new role allows me to focus more intentionally on physical wellness, strength development, nutrition, and lifelong healthy habits for all students. My hope is that students leave Lansing Catholic with knowledge and practices that will benefit them long after graduation."
Together, Bishop and Goodrich will help lead the next chapter of Lansing Catholic athletics and student wellness, supporting the school's mission to form students spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically.
