Athletic Director

The Overlake School

John has dedicated over three decades to leading Overlake’s athletic department with an unwavering commitment to the mission of “teaching character to multisport athletes in a fun, competitive environment,” shaping high school sports into transformative experiences for every student-athlete who passes through his programs. His impact is profound and enduring: countless alumni, including leaders in their professions, reflect on the lessons of leadership, selflessness, and commitment they learned under his guidance, often attributing the foundation for their success to his mentorship and initiatives like the Captains Council. Beyond character development, John has leveraged athletics to make a broader community impact, creating annual fundraiser games over the past 15 years that have raised more than $250,000 for the Hydrocephalus Association and Seattle Children’s Hospital Pediatric Brain Cancer Research—an embodiment of his belief that athletic effort should extend beyond wins and losses. John’s leadership fosters a culture that is both deeply inclusive and fiercely competitive, offering opportunities for every student to participate—such as the 15 basketball teams this past winter—while maintaining high standards that have produced 12 state titles in just the last two years and contributed to more than 40 state championships and 30 academic state championships under his tenure. A pioneer in program promotion and athlete recognition, John has harnessed Gipper to build a social media presence admired across the conference, implemented live-streaming with full commentary, launched weekly newsletters for both the community and his 107 coaches, and co-hosts Two Owls Talking Sports, a podcast celebrating Overlake athletics. His relentless focus on celebrating achievement, fostering inclusion, and creating a student-centered culture has made him a model of excellence in athletic administration, earning accolades such as Coach and Athletic Director magazine’s inaugural Program Excellence Award, and leaving a lasting legacy of both athletic and personal growth for generations of Overlake students.