Malden Catholic Finds New Leader For Its Athletic Program

MALDEN, MA — Reilly Christie has been hired as Malden Catholic's new athletic director, the school announced.

Christie most recently served as athletic director at Salem High School, where participation in athletics grew from 22 percent to 47 percent during his tenure. He also helped expand the school's Unified Sports program, which earned Unified Champion School status, and launched the annual Salem Girls in Sports Day clinic.

"I am honored to join Malden Catholic and the legendary Lancers, with its special community of student-athletes, coaches, and families," Christie said. "I look forward to building on the school's strong tradition of developing leadership and character in students through an excellent academic and athletic experience, and am excited to help build and grow champions at Malden Catholic."

In addition to his work in Salem, Christie serves as the MIAA Football State Tournament Director and as the District 5 Wrestling Committee representative. During his time at Salem, the Witches captured their first team state championship in 26 years while producing 12 individual state champions.

Christie succeeds Bill Raycraft, who served as Malden Catholic's athletic director for seven years before leaving earlier this year to become athletic director at the Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa, Florida. During Raycraft's tenure, the Lancers captured multiple conference and state championships while expanding the school's athletic offerings.

Malden Catholic President John Thornburg said Christie's hiring comes as the school continues investing in its academic and athletic programs.

"Malden Catholic intentionally creates an excellent middle and high school experience through our rigorous academic and outstanding athletics programs, which, together, instill lessons in lifelong learning, leadership, and service in our students," Thornburg said. "MC athletics is entering a new era with Reilly Christie as our new athletics director and the recent coaching hires. We are making significant and strategic investments in our athletics programs that will elevate our students' experience in the classroom, on the court, and on the field."

Christie's appointment follows several recent coaching hires at Malden Catholic, including Mark Garrity as varsity boys basketball coach, Sharell Sanders as varsity girls basketball coach, Billy Ryan as boys soccer coach, and Arthur Staffiere as girls soccer coach. School officials said the additions reflect an effort to strengthen athletic programs across all sports while continuing to compete at the highest levels of the Catholic Conference and MIAA Division I.

Christie is scheduled to begin his new role on Monday, July 13.

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