Courtney Middleton, Assistant Athletic Director, will assume the newly introduced position of Associate Athletic Director for the 2025-2026 school year, Athletic Director Tom Mietus said.

Middleton was an Assistant Athletic Director for seven years before applying for the Associate Athletic Director position this year. Her hands-on experience with the Athletic Department, along with being a Health Teacher and part of the Peer Group program, has more than prepared Middleton for the job, she explained.

After completing her Master’s in Educational Leadership with Principal Endorsement through District 225  and National Louis University last year, Middleton was ready to pursue the next step of her career.

“I had a good experience going through the [Educational Leadership] program,” Middleton said. “I applied for the position because I was ready for another challenge in my career.”

As Associate Athletic Director Middleton will take on responsibilities like identifying each coach’s ability to connect with their athletes, as well as to determine efficiency and organizational skills of coaches, Mietus said. Mietus spearheaded the creation of the new position in order to streamline the evaluation system for the 161 coaches dedicated to South athletics.

“What we want to see from coaches is building relationships with our athletes,” Mietus said. “The second thing would be how prepared [they are].  If you hit those, everything else falls into place.”

Middleton will still keep many of the current responsibilities she has had. Conversations about coaches between the athletic directors has always taken place, and now Middleton will have experience with coach evaluations. She will also gain more access to budgeting decisions, Middleton explained.

Middleton knows that there is much to learn as she has not gained experience in this aspect of the Athletic Department before. However, Middleton and Mietus both emphasize giving South athletes what they need to succeed, Middleton said.

“Providing our student athletes with opportunities and resources and giving our coaches the tools to give our students those opportunities is important,” Middleton said.

Middleton has already begun planning South’s future in regards to the student athletes. The athletes are the heart of the Athletic Department and should be able to give feedback on their sports’ programs as would a coach during their evaluation, Middleton said. Middleton wants to emphasize and further prioritize open communication with all coaches, athletes, and directors.

“It’s an open door policy in [the Athletic Department],” Middleton said. “I’ll always have my door open for coaches who might be popping in and need to problem solve. I want to make sure I’m always available to support them.”