LHS Athletic Director Receives TIDL Sport RISE Award

LEMONT, IL — Lemont High School Director of Activities and Athletics John Young was recently honored with the 2022 TIDL Sport RISE Award, which honors school leaders for making a difference in the lives of students, coaches and communities, according to a release from the district.

Young was selected from more than 800 activities and athletic directors in Illinois, and was lauded for his calm leadership, the district said.

Young was presented the honor at a surprise ceremony that included testimonials from students about his commitment to ensuring they have positive experiences in athletics and activities at Lemont High School. He received a gift card from American Airlines, as well as a check for him to donate to the charity of his choice, according to the school.

Young has served as Lemont’s athletic director since 2001, and the school’s athletic and activity programs have thrived during that time. Lemont has won the South Suburban Conference President’s Cup 11 times in 16 years and captured ten IHSA team state titles since 2009 (six in cheerleading, two in baseball, and one each in softball and wrestling), and several students have won individual state titles in athletics and activities, the school said.

Prior to arriving at Lemont High School, Young served as the Director of Athletics at Prairie State College, as well as an adjunct faculty member at Lewis University.

The TIDL Sport RISE Award is given annually at the start of the school year to an individual who helps further the impact of his or her high school activities and athletics program, the district said in a release.

Previous recipients have included Bloom’s Kelly Gutierrez (2012), Lincoln-Way East’s Brian Papa (2013), Lockport’s Todd Elkei (2014), Wheaton Warrenville South’s Guy Callipari (2015), Saint Viator’s Mike Taylor (2016), Wheaton Academy’s Jeff Brooke (2017), Wheaton North’s Tim McEvilly (2018), Washington’s Al Perez (2019), Guerin’s Roberto Cianci (2020), and Solorio’s Victor Iturralde (2021).