JWHS Athletic Director Steve Millsaps Named Lewis University Educationis Lumen Award Recipient

During a surprise announcement this morning, JWHS Athletic Director Steve Millsaps learned that he has been named the 2014 Lewis University Educationis Lumen Award recipient. Larry Wiers, Assistant Professor for Educational Leadership and Director of School Partnerships at Lewis, was on hand to deliver the news.

The Educationis Lumen Award is presented annually by the College of Education to one graduate based upon the individual’s accomplishments as a professional educator. The criteria for the selection includes evidence of excellence in teaching, commitment to the finest Christian ideals of education and dedication to the teaching profession. In sum, the educator’s work in schools has proven to be “a light in education” and has inspired and guided others to make a difference for students, their families and their communities.

JTHS Athletic Director Chris Olson nominated Millsaps for the award. “Steve has worked his way through the ranks academically and athletically at Joliet Township High School,” said Olson. “He excelled as a teacher in the classroom before becoming an Athletic Administrator. Steve was always a motivational coach in both baseball and football.”

Millsaps holds over 14 years of educational experience. “Steve has really found his calling as an Athletic Administrator at Joliet West,” said Olson. “He was instrumental the implementation of the Joliet two separate JTHS athletic programs- Joliet West and Joliet Central.”

Olson also pointed to the school pride that has been established at West during Millsaps’ time as athletic director. “Steve has been a light for JTHS by making it his personal mission to re-invent ‘Tiger Pride’ at Joliet West. His passion for students and athletes has made this possible by working directly with them to make ‘Tiger Pride’ their own. It has been a great pleasure to see the school spirit rejuvenated at the West Campus. He has built ‘Tiger Nation’ from the ground floor and up,” said Olson. “He developed a campaign for school spirit by getting the students to buy into the program, generating more school spirit.”

During his career Millsaps served as the Secretary of the South West Suburban Conference and currently serves as the organization’s President. He serves as the Cheerleading Liaison for the Conference is also deeply involved in the community through his children’s education, and is as a board member at his children’s parochial school. Millsaps has also served on the Joliet Softball Association Board. He serves as a mentor to his coaches and has been at the forefront of educating JWHS athletes as a founder of the Captain’s Club and Team Awareness sessions at Joliet West.

Top Photo: (L to R) JTHS Athletic Director Chris Olson, Larry Wiers, Steve Millsaps, JWHS Principal Dr. Teresa Gibson, JTHS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl McCarthy

Bottom Photo: (L to R) Larry Wiers, Stephanie Millsaps, Steve Millsaps, Madison Millsaps and Mya Millsaps