Following Dan Jones’ retirement, new athletic director Mike Jezioro has stepped up in helping to improve athletics at Hinsdale Central this school year. Jezioro has worked with high school students for many years now and loves the competition of high school sports.

Before his time at Central, Jezioro worked as the athletic director at South Elgin High School for 5 years and as the dean of students at Glenbard East for four years. Also, he was previously a math teacher at Oswego East High School for 10 years. Although he has a lot of previous experience, Jezioro still wants to learn the traditions and common routine of athletics at Central.

“Hinsdale Central has had large success in a lot of our athletic programs, so I want to observe what was done in the past and make a few minor changes here and there to give our student athletes a better experience,” Jezioro said.

One minor change Jezioro is looking to make is making our Central cheerleading team competitive. He is working with cheer coach Jennifer Ellinghausen to figure out the logistics of either ICCA or IHSA competitions and to make sure it is right for the team.

The current main focus Jezioro has for the future of athletics at Central is to make sure athletes have the best experience possible, no matter their competitive level. Junior Henna Razeq, a varsity cross country runner at Central, thinks highly of the new athletic director.

“I think athletes feel supported and prepared in their season because they can tell how much he cares,” Razeq said.

Not only does Jezioro care for athletes and coaches as Central, but he also values the supportive nature of the community. One of his favorite things about the Red Devil community is the people.

“It is very apparent that everyone loves Hinsdale Central when fans show up to games and wish students the best,” Jezioro said.

Jeziero is really looking forward to his time in D86, taking inspiration from the motto of NFL coach Vince Lembardi: the harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.