Marist Taps North Side Coach To Head Up Athletic Programs

CHICAGO, IL -- For the second time in a year, Marist High School has tapped a new athletic director. Principal Larry Tucker announced the hiring of Eric Simpson. Simpson takes the helm of Marist athletics beginning July 1. He replaces Steve Smithers who resigned after a year for family reasons.

Simpson comes to Marist from Sacred Heart Schools on Chicago’s North Side where he served as the athletic director. Prior to that he worked as assistant athletic director at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago and spent four years as athletic director at Marquette High School in Michigan City, Ind. Simpson was the head women’s basketball coach at Loyola University for four years and the assistant coach at University of Illinois at Chicago for three seasons. He attended Northwestern University for four years on a basketball scholarship.

“Eric delivers the whole package for Marist: administrative experience, coaching experience, and first-hand knowledge of Catholic education,” Tucker said in a news release. “We feel confident he can lead our successful program to the next level.”

Simpson will oversee 26 athletic programs that serve Marist’s 1,700 students, and a campus that includes a turf stadium lined for football, soccer, and lacrosse, grass soccer field, varsity and lower level fields for softball and baseball, tennis courts, three gymnasiums, and a 4,000-square-foot fitness center.

Simpson said he was attracted to Marist's Catholic values and tradition of academic and athletic excellence. “I look forward to working with a terrific coaching staff to support student development through competition in athletics,” he said. “I also understand the unique role athletics can play in generating excitement, enhancing school spirit, and connecting alumni to Marist. As athletic director, I will work to integrate the athletic programs into Marist’s core values and important mission.”

In recent years, Marist has garnered state titles in softball in 2012 and 2015. The team finished fourth in state in 2017. Football finished second in state in 2009 and 2015. Wrestling finished second in state in 2014. Cheerleading finished second in state in 2013. Wrestling, volleyball, softball, baseball, track and others have also captured conference, regional, and sectional titles, while new programs such as lacrosse and rugby have already garnered success. Individual athletes have also advanced and placed at the state level in a variety of sports. Marist competes in the East Suburban Catholic Conference and the highest IHSA classes.

PHOTO: Marist Principal Larry Tucker ’79 (left) with new athletic director Eric Simpson