Sep 7, 2010 By Steve Ferris 3 min read

Mike Georgiana, the new program director at the Uniontown Area Y, said starting his job in the midst of expansion and improvement projects at the center has been exciting. Georgiana, 24, of Uniontown started his new job on Aug. 23, a few days before the Y hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new W. Gerald and Carolyn E. Blaney Cardio Wing, the centerpiece of a $1 million improvement project. It marked the completion of the first phase of three-phase expansion and renovation project.

“It’s a great time to be part of the Y,” Georgiana said. “I could not be happier.”

Y Executive Director Steve Cooper said Georgiana was selected from the 20 applicants who sought the position.

“We feel very fortunate that we were able to bring him on board at the Y,” Cooper said. “We just feel very fortunate to have him. He’s a nice young man.”

Georgiana will be in charge of the Y’s youth sports programs.

“He will be doing all the programming related to youth sports and he’ll be starting new programs as we go along,” Cooper said.

Georgiana said is spending a lot of time learning about the programs he is in charge of now, but he has ideas for improving existing programs and adding new ones.

“I hope I can do as well if not better than the people before me have done,” Georgiana said.

In addition to learning his new job, he said he is working on advertising and getting referees and equipment ready for the instructional flag football league.

“I have what I think are a lot of great ideas,” Georgiana said. “But now, working on what’s established, learning the job. In the futzure, I would love to incorporate more sports.”

Weekend volleyball tournaments for high school students and college students who are home on weekends and possible organizing summer tournaments are among his ideas.

“I think those would be ideal right now,” Georgiana said.

Another goal is reinvigorating the youth basketball league. He said he has learned participation in the league has waned during the last couple years.

“If I could do one think while I’m here its bringing the youth basketball league back to the status it deserves,” Georgiana said.

He said his job includes administrative duties and working with staff, but also will run programs for members.

“Basically, like being gym teacher again, which is really nice,” Georgiana said.

A physical education teacher certified to teach grades kindergarten through 12; Georgiana said he his last job was as a substitute teacher for the Albert Gallatin Area School District. He said he also was a substitute for the Pittsburgh Public School District.

Georgiana graduated from Laurel Highlands High School in 2004 and from Slippery Rock University in 2008.

He said worked as a counselor at the Y’s day camp during the summer.