Western Albemarle High School athletic director Steve Heon has been named an Athletic Administrator of the Year by the Virginia Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (VIAAA). Heon was selected from a field of more than 100 athletic directors in the Virginia High School Athletic League’s divisions 3A and 4A, classifications based upon student enrollment.
Western’s athletic teams have had an exceptional year. Western students have won two state championships, in Scholastic Bowl and girls swim and dive; three regional championships in the same two activities and in football; six conference championships that also include boys swim and dive, both boys and girls cross country, and girls indoor track; and three district titles.
“What really stands out about Steve is his selfless dedication to always putting first the interests of students,” said Dr. Matt Haas, assistant superintendent for Albemarle County Public Schools. That starts with hiring outstanding mentors to coach Western’s student athletes. It includes keeping the right program perspective that allows students to grow not just as competitors, but as confident, collaborative and selfless leaders themselves.”
“I am grateful to be a part of such an extraordinary school community,” said Heon, who came to WAHS in 2004. “Achievement in athletics is never the product of one person’s single efforts, but happens because of great people working together.”
The award is selected by a panel of past presidents of VIAAA at their annual meeting. The association said Heon’s selection was “richly deserved.”
