AHS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR NOMINATED FOR TOP NATIONAL HONOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2010

For more information contact:
Valerie Terando           
Ames Community Schools           
515.268.6650
valerie.terando@ames.k12.ia.us

AMES—The National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) needed to look no further than Ames when selecting its state Athletic Director of the Year for 2010. Ames High School (AHS) athletic director (AD) Judge Johnston was named recipient of this prestigious honor, and now, Johnston is a candidate for the National Athletic Director of the Year.

Should he be named a finalist, Johnston would represent Region 6 of the 8 regions nationally, at the awards ceremony set to take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in summer 2011.

Under Johnston’s direction, AHS athletics have enjoyed a multitude of successes, including back-to-back state championships in boys’ basketball, and state championships in girls’ tennis, girls’ golf, cheer, and several state runner-up and district championship teams in a variety of sports.

In 2009, and again in 2010, Ames High School was awarded the Class 4A Sportsmanship Trophy by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. AHS and the Ames community were honored by the IHSAA for displaying superior sportsmanship throughout the boys’ high school basketball tournament. Just one year ago, Ames High School’s athletic program was named the top Division 4A school in Iowa, athletically and academically, by the Traveling Challenge Cup, a state- wide and yearlong competition among all member high schools of the IHSAA and IGHSAU. In 2007-2008, the AHS athletic program ranked 5th of all Division 4A schools in the state.

(More) Johnston said he’s honored to be considered for the award, but he’s quick to point out that the accomplishments and successes of the AHS athletic program wouldn’t be possible without the support of a number of others. Johnston credits athletic department secretary Sally Matters, AHS coaches, and the high school’s athletic booster club for their support and dedication.

He added that the student athletes themselves are largely responsible for the awards, championships and successes of AHS athletics.

ACSD superintendent Dr. Tim Taylor says he pleased Johnston is in the running for the national award, “It’s great that Judge has been recognized by his peers for all his hard work. He’s been a great leader for our high school athletic program for a number of years.” Dr. Taylor added, “We wish Judge the best of luck; we’ll all be pulling for him to win the 2010 National Athletic Director of the Year.”

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