Search Is On for New Shorewood Athletic Director

Many who are active in Shorewood High School athletics — coaches, boosters — credit Athletic Director Bill Haury with turning around a struggling sports program in the district. 

After seven years at the helm, programs like the girls basketball team, which lost 45 games in a row over four seasons, have finally realized success under Haury.

"I've coached boys basketball for 30 years, in the city conference, and I've seen a lot of ADs," boys basketball head coach Phil Jones said. "And I'd have to say Bill is the best that I've seen."

But Haury is set to retire at the end of the school year, leaving coaches and boosters with concerns over who will take over as director of athletics and vigilant about attracting and hiring an experienced, dedicated candidate.

Concerns about AD's salary

At a School Board meeting Tuesday night, the Shorewood Athletic Booster Club asked the board and administration to allow flexibility in the salary it would offer candidates.

The district's preliminary budget calls for a $45,000 salary, excluding a fringe benefits package, but boosters would like the flexibility to increase that to $55,000 if needed.

Booster Club member Phil Gruber said in doing the math, Haury was paid about $56,000 for his role as athletic director. Haury was also the dean of students at Shorewood Intermediate School and drew a salary of roughly $90,000 for both roles, but devoted more time to athletics.

Boosters are worried if they don’t offer what they deem to be a competitive salary, they won’t attract experienced candidates, but rather “trainee” level applicants, and athletics will decline as a result. They are also worried the district wouldn’t retain a new candidate over the long-term at that salary.

“Shorewood is athletics, arts and academics,” said Lake Bluff teacher and Booster Club member Amy Miller. “That we really are a triple-A school district. We want our students to be well-rounded.”

Gruber said student athletes average a 3.14 GPA, while those who don’t participate in sports average a 3.07. Additionally, it a strong athletics program is a good marketing tool for the district.

Shorewood High School offers 23 sports over three seasons, according to the district website. Participation has risen in recent years to 56 percent at the high school.

More than 100 apply for post

High School Principal Matt Joynt, who is overseeing the search for a new athletic director, said there were 134 initial applicants, and around 90 still interested after being notified of the salary. 

The next athletic director would be full-time and not serve in another role in the district, Superintendent Martin Lexmond said.

Lexmond said the district will go through the hiring process, and decide from there whether there should be a discussion with the board about boosting the salary offered.