Performers always talk about how daunting it is to follow a great act. The crowd has already been overly satisfied; there is no need to entertain any further.

The same can be said for the replacement of Trinity Prep’s former Athletic Director, Kathy Finnucan, who left tough shoes to fill. Expectations for athletics at Trinity grew exponentially under Finnucan’s guidance, as did the number of sports available. The new Athletic Director, Steven Bluth, strives to develop the program even further.

What Bluth brings to this highly coveted job is the most valuable asset of all—experience.

Bluth’s first teaching job came in the notoriously tough East New York District. According to Bluth, it is arguably the most dangerous school district in New York City, which has the largest school district in the nation.

“It is one of the toughest school districts in Brooklyn,” Bluth said.  “Then I got this job in Harlem, which is called the School for Academic and Athletic Excellence, which was the perfect place for me, based on my background.”

Bluth taught 7th and 8th grade history at The School for Academic and Athletic Excellence and loved every minute of it.

“I was able to teach kids who came from single parent homes and were used to a lot of negativity, and at that time not used to trusting men, let alone a white man. I was the only white male in the school,” he said. “It was awesome. I loved it.”

His first few years of teaching prepared him for all types of students and challenges.

“The few years that I taught there, I received the greatest education I have ever gotten,” Bluth said. “I learned how to manage a classroom, and how to build relationships with kids who normally I might not have the opportunity to spend time with. It taught me that I had the ability to build a relationship with any kind of kid.”

It is sufficicient to say that Bluth has seen it all. The New York City school district handled that.

From Harlem, Bluth moved to the private school district. Ethical Culture Fieldston School was his next stop.

Over a span of 19 years, the athletic program at Fieldston, similar to Trinity during Finnucan’s time here, went from being the underdog to winning two separate state championships in one school year.

Bluth coached both of those teams.

“While I was in Harlem, there was a JV basketball job open at this school called the Fieldston School,” Bluth said. “I had never heard of it. I was a public school guy; I knew nothing about these New York City private schools.”

Bluth’s interest was sparked by this new opportunity. He landed an interview with the athletic director and eventually got the job. His team went undefeated that year.

Bluth played baseball and lacrosse at Arizona University, while also playing tennis at Quinnipiac University after his Arizona days.

His baseball career was tragically ended by a rotator cuff injury during his freshman season. His expertise in that sport, however, would serve him well at Fieldston.

“At the end of the season, the athletic director said that they were looking for a JV baseball coach. They asked me if I knew anything about baseball. I said, ‘Come to think of it, yes I do,’” Bluth said.

His luck kept getting better as more opportunities opened up for him.

“The athletic director got pregnant, and she recommended that I take over,” Bluth said. “It was a really difficult decision because I really enjoyed working with these kids in Harlem. To this day, coming here to Trinity is the toughest professional decision I have ever made.

“Up until last year, though, leaving Harlem was the toughest professional decision I had ever made,” he said. “Leaving these kids who I had built a really great relationship with, I felt like I was deserting them.”

Bluth started coaching and being the director of athletics at the Fieldston School  right away.

His coaching covered a variety of sports, from varsity girl’s tennis, varsity boy’s basketball and varsity baseball.

“Fieldston was athletically the laughing stock of New York,” said Bluth. “It took a couple of years, but we built this unbelievable program.”

This highly successful program included a state championship in basketball, a state championship in softball and two baseball league championships before the state playoff system was implemented.

All of this spanned over the course of Bluth’s 19 years.

“We were involved in so many things. I ran a Coaches for Cancer Tip Off Classic, where we had seven boys basketball games in one day and seven girls games the next day. All proceeds went to the American Cancer Society. Over my 19 years, we raised $500,000. Just great, great stuff,” he said.

Bluth received many coaching accolades and served on very important New York City school district boards, but that’s not what he cares about.

So how did Bluth, who built this very successful athletic program, end up in central Florida?.

“I felt like I needed a change of scenery,” Bluth said. “ I needed a new place to feel energized again.”

He was contacted last year about taking Trinity’s open job, and after much deliberation, Bluth ended up here.

Trinity became Bluth’s top option, not because of the athletics, but because of something he witnessed while visiting.

According to Bluth, what made him want to come to Trinity was Chuck Nadd, in an indirect fasion. Bluth was moved by the assembly that was held for Nadd.

“The senior class stood up at the end of the assembly and started singing the alma mater, and the gentleman on stage started singing with them,” Bluth said. “I literally stood there with my mouth wide open in awe because the entire school started singing.”

Bluth was not looking for just any job; the fit had to be perfect for him to leave his athletic dynasty at Fieldston. Trinity captured his interest. It seemed like a perfect match.

Much is yet to be seen about Bluth’s directing skills. He has very large shoes to fill by assuming this new job. When asked, Bluth said this pressure doesn’t bother him at all.

He’s seen a lot of things as a teacher in New York City, and he’s also built a state championship-winning program at Fieldston.

Who knows how things will turn out, but one thing is for sure: what Bluth can rely on his experience.