For nearly the past 24 years, Tom Moll was firmly entrenched in Catasauqua.

A 1990 graduate, Moll began working in a local insurance business and remained it in for 11 _ years before he began an 8 _ year run as athletic director at the high school. In the interim, Moll was an assistant boys' basketball coach and also the public address announcer for the Roughies' athletic events.

Arguably, Moll was deeply woven into the fabric of the community. His effervescent personality helped him serve as an ideal communicator among students, staff, and supporters.

As someone who seemingly bleeds brown and white, Moll mentally wrestled with a decision that provided him with an opportunity to enhance his career outside of Catasauqua.

Monday night in Nazareth, Moll's new opportunity became official as he was approved the school board as the new athletic director for the Blue Eagles. It proved to be a decision for him topped with anxiety.

"I must have thought this decision over 200 times and certainly lost some sleep over it," said Moll. "I finally decided to accept it. It is kind of a weird feeling to leave Catty after being here for the past 20 years. I am very grateful toward the Catasauqua community for their overall support. They made my job easier.

"I'm excited about this new opportunity and challenge for me. It is a bigger school district with more staff and more responsibilities. At Catty, I was used to do a lot of things on my own."

Moll confirmed he had interest in the Nazareth position when it opened last year and did have some discussions with school officials. When the position reopened this June, Moll again had discussions with school officials.

His attractiveness to the position could have been heightened when former Roughies' football coach Tom Falzone accepted the head football coach's job in March.

At Catasauqua, Moll was the Colonial League president for two years and vice president for three years. He also has been the District 11 treasurer since 2011 and was named the Pennsylvania Region II Athletic Director of the Year this past February.

"He is certainly going to be missed," said Catasauqua head boys' basketball coach Eric Snyder, who had Moll on his staff as an assistant coach several years ago. "He has been a fixture at the school and he was always available to everyone.

"Tom did whatever he could to create a positive and productive environment here."

Moll also had the respect of the kids.

"Tom Moll is the most involved AD a school can ask for," said departing senior Zack Bradley. "He did so much for Catasauqua and so much for me. I wouldn't have traded him for any other AD out there. The reason he is the best at what he does is because he cares. He cares about kids and he cares about doing he job right."

Moll officially became Nazareth's new AD July 29, but he plans to serve both schools until Sept. 12, his last official day at Catty.

He is optimistic the incoming senior class can appreciate his decision.

"I know it might be tough for a 17-year-old to understand my choice," said Moll. "I don't want to feel like I let them down. We have a lot of things in place for the fall here at Catty, and I will likely need to spend more time at Nazareth.

"Overall, it will be interesting. I'll just have to see what happens."