As the school prepares to welcome a new permanent head of school, Interim Head John Rankin announced several updates that will shape Poly’s future. From longtime faculty members stepping into leadership roles to seasoned administrators preparing for retirement, these shifts reflect both continuity and change.
In a recent announcement, Rankin recognized the dedication and impact of several key administrators. Among them, Lou Candel has been appointed as the permanent Athletic Director after years of coaching and administrative work, while two longtime leaders—Chief Financial Officer Lynda Caserella and Senior Director of Advancement Keith Wiggs—have announced their retirements.
These changes come at a pivotal time for Poly, as the school seeks to balance stability with innovation under new leadership. Here’s what these updates mean for the Poly community:
Lou Candel Steps Up As Permanent Athletic Director
Lou Candel, who has filled a variety of roles at Poly since 2017, has stepped in as Poly’s Athletic Director. The former Assistant Athletic Director, Co-Athletic Director, and Interim Athletic Director is also currently the Head Coach of Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse, and has led the team to two league titles. Candel shared, “I’m really excited about becoming the new leader of Poly Athletics. There’s nothing more important to me than helping all of our coaches provide a positive and memorable experience for all of our student-athletes.” Candel noted that his job will require a lot more work, explaining “I’ve been used to just worrying about the Boys Lacrosse program. Now I have to worry about 25 varsity teams,” he said. As the new Athletic Director, Candel has clear plans for the future of Poly athletics. “I’m gonna try to emulate what I’ve done with the lacrosse program. I want people to say, hey, I had a great time playing Girls Soccer at Poly Prep. Yeah. I had a great time playing Boys Lacrosse. I had a great time playing Basketball… For me, this is about you guys. This is about the kids…This is about providing a positive and memorable experience for all of our student athletes in Poly.”
Lynda Caserella Retires as Chief Financial Officer
After 10 years of working as Poly’s Chief Financial Officer, Lynda Caserella will be ending her Poly Prep career. Caserella came into the Poly community in 2015, and has been a key part in Poly’s financing ever since. “I will miss the people that I work with the most. I love the work that I do, but with any job, the people that you work with can make the experience great. That’s where I land. I’m most looking forward to spending time with my family. Being part of the military for more than 2/3’s of my adult life has been a great experience (travel, moving around etc.) but it’s nice to settle in one place and have your family there.”
Keith Wiggs to Retire as Senior Director of Advancement
Keith Wiggs has worked as the Senior Director of Advancement since 2020, after over 30 years working in fundraising. Sharing his thoughts on retirement, Wiggs expressed, “I’m looking forward to retiring in July after 36 years as a frontline fundraiser. The last five years at Poly Prep have flown by and I’m proud of the many projects that I’ve completed, especially the Poly Arts Center and Athletic Fields renovations at the Dyker Heights campus. When I retire from Poly in July, I will miss my fantastic colleagues in the Advancement Office and the boundless opportunities that this community provides. Looking ahead, I’m excited to spend more time with my family, explore new interests, and take advantage of opportunities outside of fundraising. I’m [also] looking forward to having the time to play music, study languages, and travel.”
