Hinsdale South Athletic Director Defended From Criticism

DARIEN, IL – A key member of Hinsdale South High School's athletic department defended Art Ostrow, the athletic director, who has come under fire lately

John Charters, an athletic coordinator for South and the head badminton coach, said Ostrow has improved the department through his energy and devotion.

"It's unfortunate that parents don't see that," he said in an interview. "They are putting a negative light on the success of Hinsdale South athletics."

At this week's school board meeting, Heather Ruff, president of the Hinsdale South Parent Athletic Club, blamed Ostrow for what she said her group sees as a decline in South's athletic programs over the years.

Another parent also spoke out against Ostrow at the meeting. And a school board member said he had heard similar criticism for years.

In late April, two coaches resigned within hours of each other, both criticizing South's administration in their letters.

Ostrow took charge as athletic director in 2015.

Since January 2025, more than 30 coaches and assistant coaches have resigned from South's programs.

Charters noted that two of the coaches moved to Hinsdale Central, two are starting families, two were hired for full-time jobs at other schools and one is staying in the program at a different level.

Hinsdale South, Charters said, hosts more regional, sectional, supersectional and state Illinois High School Association events than any other school in the area.

"(Ostrow) is trying to support our student athletes to give them the best possible opportunities," said Charters, an English teacher who retired in June after more than three decades at South.

He said student participation data shows no decline in athletic programs over the years. In fall 2019, 30 percent of South's students took part in athletics. The percentage was 31 percent in fall 2024, which he said was the latest fall data available.

Over the last two years, Charters said, South has won more conference championships than it has since 2020.

"That's a much different picture than what the parents are looking at," he said.

Asked about the level of resignations, Charters said, "I wouldn't say it's higher than usual."

But he said coaches now aren't as committed to coaching as they were in the past. Coaches before were "a different breed" and displayed a "different work ethic.

"A lot of coaches these days don't have the same work ethic," Charters said. "All coaches don't put the work in like old-time coaches."

Ostrow has not returned a message for comment from earlier this week.