Roy Wentworth wasn’t looking for a new job when he reached his early thirties. He was his own boss, running a landscaping construction company.

Carl Snitkin saw a different future for Wentworth.

“I had a strong voice in my mentor and friend, Carl Snitkin, who encouraged me to get into teaching and become a leader and administrator,” Wentworth said, referencing the late Norwich Free Academy teacher and wrestling coach.

Wentworth eventually sold his business, went back into school in 1999 when he was 34, and got his teaching degree. Tuesday, he was officially named NFA’s athletic director. Snitkin, who passed away in May of 2018, would be proud. 

“Carl Snitkin was basically in my ear since I was a kid to be a teacher,” Wentworth said. “He always explained to me that you’re a good coach (he was Snitkin’s assistant), you’d be a great teacher. After 16 years or so of hearing that, it finally sunk in.

“I was fortunate enough to have a very supportive family (so I could go back to school), and things worked out.”

Wentworth, a 1983 NFA graduate, has been a science teacher at NFA as well as the school’s Director of Night School, Alternative Pathway to Success (APS), and Summer Credit Recovery Programs. He interviewed for the AD job in 2015 after Gary Makowicki retired. NFA hired Southington AD Eric Swallow.

Swallow resigned on September 10, 2018, and NFA approached Wentworth to become the Head of School’s Liaison to the Athletic Department. He became the interim AD at the end of January.

“Roy has done an outstanding job of leading the NFA Athletic Department this year, and I am confident that he will continue to serve the institution with honor and professionalism in this position,” said NFA Head of School David Klein. “Mr. Wentworth has the skill and passion, and the integrity and character to lead NFA athletics forward.”

Wentworth said the biggest adjustment to his new job is that he’s no longer teaching.

“I really love being in the classroom,” Wentworth said. “I cannot say that enough. Not being face-to-face with 125 students every day as a teacher is hard. … It’s difficult for me to move away from that because I truly liked it.”

n.griffen@theday.com