Athletic director Steph Strauss leaving Penn Hills for Shaler

By: Chris Harlan
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 7:28 PM

Shaler hired Steph Strauss as athletic director Monday night, adding a high school administrator who’s been Penn Hills’ AD since 2017.

The move is effective Feb. 9.

Shaler superintendent Bryan O’Black called Strauss’ hire “a significant and exciting step forward” in a statement announcing the move, while also noting she bring experiences as both an administrator and a former college volleyball coach.

Strauss will replace retiring athletic director Clint Rauscher.

“This marks a significant and exciting step forward for Shaler Area as we continue to enhance opportunities for our student-athletes and strengthen Titan Athletics,” O’Black said.

The school district in its statement noted that Strauss “has a proven track record, bringing a deep and well-rounded background in athletics leadership.”

A 2007 Penn Hills graduate, Strauss was an assistant women’s volleyball coach at the U.S. Naval Academy and previously Juniata College before being hired eight years ago as athletic director at her high school alma mater.

Penn Hills won WPIAL titles in football (2018) and boys basketball (2018 and ’23) in her tenure leading the athletic department.

“I’m looking forward to developing strong relationships with the student-athletes, coaches and the entire Shaler Area community as we build upon the strong traditions and success of Shaler Area Athletics,” Strauss said in a statement.

Shaler noted that Strauss already has roots in the district.

Her late grandfather, Cliff “Lefty” Fair, was a Shaler graduate and a member of the school’s athletic hall of fame. Fair, who served as a football and basketball official, was also inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame in 2008.

Strauss was inducted into the Juniata College Hall of Fame last year for a volleyball career that saw her earn second-team All-America honors. Juniata reached the NCAA Division III national championship game in 2010.

She serves as a member of the WPIAL volleyball steering committee.

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Penn Hills, Shaler