For over five years, Athletic Director Nick Stevens has played a big role at SHS. But recently, Stevens has decided to take a big step into his future by bringing his talents to work in New York and looking to grow his connection with his family in New Jersey.
Stevens and his wife knew from the start that they wanted to have a different life for their daughter. When he met his wife, they knew at some point that they were gonna move to New Jersey.
“(She) made it very clear that she wanted to move back to New Jersey,” Stevens said. “So that was part of our plan as we were progressing.”
Right out of high school, Stevens initially committed to being a math teacher but eventually switched fields to accounting and business. Stevens followed this path and graduated from Ball State with his bachelor’s degree.
He then began seeking for job opportunities and started as a business analyst. But in 2014, he decided to switch back to education and took an opportunity at Franklin Central to be a swim coach and an assistant athletic director.
Shortly after COVID-19 started, he began working at SHS as an assistant athletic director. Not before long, he advanced to the position of head athletic director.
“I think from my time as an assistant AD and Athletic Director, I feel like we’ve made a lot of positive changes to make athletics stronger,” Stevens said.
Starting Dec. 1, Stevens will begin his journey at Dream Charter High School in New York as an athletic director.
Difficulties may occur as Stevens undertakes the challenges when he moves, such as transportation, getting familiar with the area and learning the speed of everything.
But spending time with his daughter will be his top goal.
“I want to make sure that I’m finding a good balance between work and life,” Stevens said.
During the time Stevens has been a part of SHS, he has put a lot of dedication and time into making the athletic department more structured.
Although he has made many positive changes to the department, he has also had some struggles with relationships with coaches and families. Stevens wished he could have built relationships with the community.
“I probably could have taken a little bit more time, but kind of (paused) a little bit and realize that it’s not just (a) strict operation of rolling through things,” Stevens said.
Stepping up in Stevens’ position will be assistant athletic director Tony Harris. During the two years Stevens and Harris have worked alongside each other, they have created a work relationship.
“I think we work closer on that same level to where we have our own sports,” Stevens said. “We have our own responsibilities, but we still work as a unit.”
Harris and Stevens have supported each other through the years and are disappointed it is coming to an end.
“I’ve learned a lot from him and I would not be ready for this position if my last two and a half years weren’t with him,” Harris said.
Before Harris was the assistant athletic director, he started at Franklin Community as a special education teacher. After 10 years of teaching, he began coaching basketball and soccer.
Eventually, he had the opportunity to be the assistant athletic director after his son graduated, so he took it. Like many others, Harris interviewed for the spot of athletic director and recently got it.
For the future athletic department, Harris wants to make many changes, like valuing relationships with families and coaches. He also hopes to keep making the athletic programs the best versions that they can be.
“That’s the plan, just making sure that we are committed to our community, committed to our parents (and) committed to our people,” Harris said.
As Dec. 1 approaches, Harris is excited to start his new position, but is also happy to see his colleague live his dream. This is a big jump for both Stevens and Harris, but they know that they couldn’t do it without each other.
Harris and Stevens are ready to turn the page in their next chapter.
“I have 100% confidence that Mr. Harris is gonna do what I did but do it 10 times better,” Stevens said.
