CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Phil Stinnie has been appointed the dean of student life and director of community engagement at Field School of Charlottesville.

Stinnie will succeed Leo Connally, assistant head of Field School, who has announced his relocation to New Hampshire to serve as the new dean of academics of Cardigan Mountain School. 

“Field School is a very special community. I look forward to building on the successes of the current leaders to ensure that everyone in the greater Charlottesville area is aware of the unique learning environment this school provides,” said Stinnie. “This stage of development, between fifth and eighth grade, is definitional for boys, and I want to make sure we’re maximizing both the contribution we make to each student and the number of young men we could positively impact.” 

Stinnie is a Charlottesville native who has worked at St. Anne’s-Belfield for 21 years. There, he has served as dean of student life and director of diversity, director of community engagement, as well as the coach of the varsity girl's basketball team.

He was named the 2022-23 Central Virginia Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year and received his 400th career victory in the state semifinals in March. 

Stinnie was a standout student-athlete at Virginia Commonwealth University, is a member of VCU’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and was drafted by the New York Knicks. 

Stinnie will join Bo Perriello at Field School. Perriello was recently announced as the new head of Field School beginning this July following the retirement of Dr. Charles “Charlie” Skipper.

“I did not think that I could be more excited about my new role as head of Field School,” said Perriello. “But, getting to lead this next chapter alongside an educational innovator and motivational leader of Phil’s stature is truly next-level. I have had the chance to witness countless times the positive influence he has had on young people as a dean, mentor, coach, and community leader, and I know he is going to make a profound impact on Field School and its current and future students.”