1 Photo
Eric Bramoff has been named Shoreham-Wading River School District's new athletic director. SHOREHAM-WADING RIVER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Eric Bramoff is heading back to Section XI, and he couldn’t be happier.
The former Sag Harbor-turned-Oyster Bay athletic director just took over the helm at Shoreham-Wading River on July 1, rejoining the governing body of athletics in Suffolk County by replacing recently-retired Mark Passamonte, who manned the post there since 2014.
“I’ve learned so much from my time in Oyster Bay, but I’ve also learned it’s a lot more important to be closer to home,” Bramoff said. “I made a decision to leave Sag Harbor, which I loved, but I needed to be closer. And just as when I went to Oyster Bay, I saw Shoreham as an opportunity to be even closer to my family. I’ve also loved working for Section XI. There’s many colleagues there that I’ve worked with.”
The athletic director originally left Sag Harbor because he and his wife, Brooke, and their sons had already moved west to Holbrook to shorten the commute for Ethan and Dylan’s lacrosse practices.
“I’m very excited, but the story’s not about me — it’s about the kids,” Bramoff said. “I love the position I’m in in my career right now. And Shoreham is similar to all the other communities I’ve worked in. It’s a really great opportunity.”
The 1996 Pierson High School graduate was also Bridgehampton’s athletic director — expanding team offerings while there — prior to taking the job at his alma mater in 2015, where he worked until 2021. When hired by the Sag Harbor School District, he was viewed by many as the perfect fit for the job. Bramoff was a standout three-sport athlete during his high school career, leading the Whalers on the soccer field, basketball court and baseball diamond before going on to play football and soccer at SUNY Cortland and return to his hometown as a teacher.
Board of Education President Sandi Kruel previously spoke about Bramoff’s commitment to Pierson athletics, and the immense impact he’s had on students over the years, including on her own children. She said her son Brandon still has fond memories of his time having Bramoff as a teacher.
“He said to me, ‘Bramoff was the best PE teacher ever — he was so cool,’” Kruel said. “I think it’s amazing when teachers can make that kind of mark on a child’s life — where they still remember you being one of their best teachers.”
The “rock star” physical education teacher has continually been touted for his experience and his fervor. Board member Alex Kriegsman said that Bramoff had the same effect on his three children.
“He’s always there for everything and just has great enthusiasm and has been a great asset for the school,” he said.
Bramoff is on Section XI’s policy and seeding committees, is a National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association member and a New York State Public High School Athletic Association member. He also holds certification as a water safety instructor and Suffolk County Ocean Lifeguard.
“We look forward to Mr. Bramoff’s leadership and progressive ideas in building on the many successes of our current athletic program,” Shoreham-Wading River Superintendent of Schools Gerard Poole said. “Mr. Bramoff possesses the skills we were searching for in a new leader. At our initial meeting with him, we noted his eagerness and energy, both positive characteristics that will continue to move us in the positive direction of our health and physical education programs to ensure our students have the support systems needed to succeed.”
Bramoff earned a certificate of advanced study in educational administration from LeMoyne College, a masters in instructional technology from American Intercontinental University Online and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from SUNY Cortland.
Before moving back to the East End, the athletic director worked for the Syracuse City School District as a physical education teacher for 10 years. He was the varsity basketball coach for the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central.
“I really am a fan of athletics. I love what I do,” Bramoff said. “I still follow the Sag Harbor kids I had, and I’ll continue to follow the Oyster Bay students. As I move into Shoreham, I’ll do the same. I just can’t wait to start. The kids are different, but the kids are the same.”
