Athletic Director

Ithaca City School District

Shane Taylor plays a vital role in supporting students, families, and staff through a culturally responsive approach while leveraging Gipper to strengthen communication across the Ithaca City School District. He is committed to expanding access to athletics for all students, from Pre-K through 12th grade, breaking down barriers, and creating inclusive opportunities that ensure every participant feels welcomed, supported, and valued. His initiatives include opening ICSD athletic facilities to community partners, launching Kindergarten Flag Football, offering ICSD Family Swim, developing basketball programs for pre-K–2nd grade, and adding new sports like girls’ wrestling and boys’ volleyball. Shane fosters a culture of accountability, empathy, and restorative practices, using dialogue and relationship-building to repair harm and strengthen team communities, while holding student-athletes close when they face challenges rather than removing them from programs. As a leader, he cultivates student-athletes who demonstrate integrity, leadership, service, and citizenship, engaging them through Captains’ Council meetings, SAAC, and YAC initiatives, and centering service and character as foundational values. With over 15 years of coaching and teaching experience in Ithaca, Shane draws on his own time as a two-sport varsity athlete to inspire students and build a district-wide culture rooted in collaboration, care, and community-minded athletics.