Page 14 - The Wayne Dispatch

Athletic Director receives award

By Carolyn Marnon however, in August when football made it to the Final Four in the
In recognition of his outstanding practice is happening. Michigan state tournament. Kids are
service to the administration of inter- A colleague nominated him for getting opportunities to play at the
scholastic athletics, benefitting stu- the MIAAA award. “It’s humbling. I next level. Jarvis also works with the
dents, schools and community, work with a lot of talented people. A kids on his own time, and now the
Wayne Memorial High School Ath- lot of people doing a lot of good girls basketball program is a promi-
letic Director Greg Ambrose, CAA things,” he says of the honor. nent one.
was recently presented with an The biggest challenge he has The boys basketball coach,
award for 2018-2019 MIAAA (Michi- faced as AD was initially coming into Coach Young, holds his kids account-
gan Interscholastic Athletic Adminis- the job and not knowing the Wayne able for their grades, behavior and
trators Association) Regional community. He had to figure things actions both on and off the court. In
Athletic Director of the Year. out, determine what the priorities the last two years, the boy’s team has Wayne Memorial High School Athletic Di-
Greg came to Wayne Memorial were and reconcile his basic philoso- won District, but they’ve been beat in rector Greg Ambrose receives the Re-
High School in 2006 as the new Ath- phies with what was actually happen- the Regionals. gional Athletic Director of the Year
letic Director. Prior to that, he had ing. “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” he Wayne-Westland is not a pay-to- award. He's pictured here with his wife,
been teaching and coaching in Farm- says. play district, says Greg. Uniforms
ington, been an event manager for A recent challenge has been the and equipment are all provided to Bonnie, and his daughter, Caroline.
Farmington High School and a build- turnover in coaches, finding good the teams. Finances, however, do not state conference for athletic direc-
ing athletic coordinator. quality coaches, and getting coaches allow for new sports like hockey or tors held in Traverse City. “I was
At WMHS, Greg is responsible for to stay. He gave the example of girls lacrosse. happy to be able to share that with
the day to day logistics of 23 sports basketball coach Jarvis Mitchell who He is proud of how long he has my wife and daughter,” he said. “I’m
programs during the school year. came to him four years ago. Jarvis been Athletic Director at WMHS be- not doing this without their support.
That includes transportation, stu- asked Greg to give him time and they cause he was not hired from within. I’ve always had great support at
dent eligibility, and weather watch- would turn the girls basketball pro- He has established himself here on Wayne Memorial. You don’t get it on
ing. In the spring for example, if the gram around. The team was strug- his own without knowing someone. your own (the award). I have coaches
temperature outside is 37 degrees or gling back then, and it was hard to Some kids still reach out to him that make me look good. I have as-
below, outdoor events are cancelled. find kids to even be on the team. once in awhile. “Somehow, some- sistants that make me look good.
There is no ceiling, he says for how Jarvis declared they were going to where, you made a connection with There’s a lot behind the scenes that
high the temperature can get. Greg develop a culture and a family. For them.” gets done. I’ve worked with a lot of
says they do watch the heat index, the last two years, the girl’s team has Greg received the award at the great people in the league.”

14 · April 2019 · The Wayne Dispatch