Is Fairfield ‘one of the premier athletic departments in the region’? Its new AD says so.

But Blankenship’s latest title is one he sought with a different sort of enthusiasm.

“I consider Fairfield to be one of the premier athletic departments in the region and a member of the best public school conference in the state, the Greater Miami Conference,” said Blankenship of the powerhouse athletic prep league.

Blankenship replaces Mark Harden, who resigned to become the athletic director in Hamilton County’s Sycamore Schools. Harden was Fairfield athletic director for 10 years.

“We are very pleased to have Aaron leading in the position of district athletic director,” said Fairfield Schools Superintendent Billy Smith.

“Over the years, Aaron has proven himself to be an outstanding administrator and leader. As a dean of students at our academy and assistant principal at Fairfield High School, Aaron has made a tremendous impact,” Smith said.

“His professionalism, passion, and dedication to doing what’s best for the students will serve him well in the new position. I think he is a great fit for us, and I couldn’t be more excited about the future of our athletic department,” he said.

Fairfield High School Principal Bill Rice said moving Aaron to this leadership role will allow the district to continue the positive momentum of the Fairfield athletic program.

“I am excited to work alongside Aaron in this new capacity,” Rice said. “I know from working with him the last three years he possesses a professionalism, a compassion for the student-athlete, and a love of sport that will be unmatched in this new role.

“I want to personally thank Mark Harden for the work that he has done to help modernize the Fairfield athletic department the last 10 years. I am excited to see Aaron get started and continue to make the Fairfield athletic department one of the best in the GMC, the region and the state,” said Rice.

Blankenship, who will earn $103,000 annually, said “Fairfield has truly become a special place for me and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the student-athletes, their families, our alumni and community in this new capacity.”