Long-time La Porte ISD administrator Todd Schoppe has been named the new principal at La Porte High School.

Schoppe, the current La Porte ISD director of athletics, replaces Dr. Joanne Kolius, who has served as LPHS principal since 2006.

"We could have done an intergalactic search and not come up with a finer fit to build upon the foundation of La Porte High School," said Lloyd W. Graham, LPISD superintendent of schools. "Mr. Schoppe brings to this leadership role a demonstrated commitment to excellence and a history of service to the students, staff, and families of La Porte ISD."

Schoppe is a product of La Porte schools, having graduated from LPHS in 1981. An honor student and standout athlete, he went on to the University of Houston, where he played football and graduated *** laude with a bachelor's degree in education with a biology minor. While in college, he was an Academic All-American and was named to the All-Southwest Conference Academic Team three years.

Schoppe completed his master's degree in educational administration at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He is certified to teach biology and health/physical education in grades six through 12 and also has mid-management certification.

After earning his bachelor's degree, Schoppe was a graduate assistant, coaching the offensive line for the University of Houston football team. In 1987, he began his career at La Porte High School, serving as a physical science/biology teacher and coach from 1987 to 1991. During the 1991-92 school year, he taught and coached at Clear Lake High School.

In the fall of 1992, Schoppe moved to Crosby ISD, where he served as assistant principal and football coach for three years. In March 1995, he accepted the position as head football coach and athletic director at Santa Fe ISD, where he worked for four years.

Schoppe returned to his alma mater as assistant principal in 1998, and after three years, was named associate principal. With a year in that position, he was appointed as principal of the De Walt Alternative Campus. He was named athletic director later that year and has served in this role for seven years.

"I am very excited about this opportunity," Schoppe said. "It's great because I went to school at La Porte-I bleed orange-and I'm going into this with faculty and staff who also have high expectations for the campus. They know me, they know what I'm about, and I think that's going to make for a good, smooth transition."

Schoppe and his wife, Adrienne, have two daughters-Megan, who will be a junior in the nursing program at Stephen F. Austin State University, and McKenna, who will be a senior at LPHS next year. He is the son of Charles Schoppe and Beverly Schoppe.