Lemont’s John Young tabbed with IADA Division 3 “Athletic Director of the Year” award

Lemont High School Director of Activities & Athletics John Young has been tabbed as the 2023-24 Illinois Athletic Directors Association Class 3A and 4A Division 3 “Athletic Director of the Year”. One of seven division winners this year, Young was a finalist for the Class 3A and 4A IADA Athletic Director of the Year award and was honored at the IADA banquet this spring. He previously received this award during the 2014-15 school year.

Young will retire at the end of the 2023-24 school year after 24 years at Lemont High School, and has served as its athletic director since 2001. Lemont’s athletic program has flourished under his direction, with 20 of Lemont’s 26 sports advancing to IHSA State Finals competition since 2001. All 12 of the school’s IHSA team state championships – seven in cheerleading, two each in baseball and softball, and one in boys’ wrestling – have come during his tenure, as have six individual state titles in boys’ wrestling and one in girls’ bowling.

Several other Lemont programs have seen unprecedented success in recent years. The football program has reached the state title game three times, and the boys’ golf, girls’ bowling and girls’ soccer squads all have brought home trophies from team state finals competition since 2001. During that same timeframe, the boys’ golf, boys’ bowling, girls’ cross country, boys’ track and field, girls’ track and field, and boys’ wrestling programs all have produced individual medal winners in state competition.

Lemont’s athletic program has enjoyed unparalleled success in the South Suburban Conference since its inception in 2006. Lemont has won the Presidents’ Cup - the SSC’s all-sports trophy - 13 times in 18 years.

Lemont’s athletic facilities have improved significantly during Young’s tenure. He helped develop the LHS Sports Complex, which serves as home to the school’s baseball, soccer and softball programs, while the school’s football stadium, gymnasium, and wrestling room also have seen significant upgrades.

He guided the development of the Lemont High School Athletic Hall of Fame, which debuted in 2004 and has welcomed more than 80 inductees. He also facilitated the implementation of the “Young Hearts for Life” cardiac screenings program, which has provided free testing for more than 5,000 students over six events since 2012, including a record number at the school’s most recent event in April.

Young has been an IADA member for more than 20 years, and has served on its Executive Board and chaired its Awards Committee. He also has earned Certified Athletic Administrator designation from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, served as President of the SSC Athletic Directors, and has been a member of several IHSA Advisory Committees.