A local basketball legend is hired by Peoria Public Schools.
Peoria Public Schools has announced that A.J. Guyton, a Peoria High star who went on to play at Indiana University and for the Chicago Bulls, will be the school district’s new Athletic Director.
“A.J. is a tremendous addition to our team,” Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat said in a news release. “Under his direction, for the first time in a very long time, our primary and middle school students will have a menu of athletic opportunities starting at a young age. Those opportunities will allow students to develop social skills, teamwork, cooperating with others, improving communication skills and hopefully succeed across the spectrum of IESA and IHSA sports as they grow older.”
Since his collegiate days, Guyton has served in a number of basketball coaching capacities and also spent time as the diversity and retention coordinator for Illinois Central College.
“I’d like to thank Dr. Kherat for the opportunity and can’t wait to add to all of the positive things she has accomplished to date,” Guyton said. “It’s a dream of mine to come back to Peoria to continue with the work being done and add my expertise in the area of athletics,” Guyton said.
“We’re going to give our students of Peoria Public Schools an opportunity to succeed in a wide range of sports,” Guyton said.
Superintendent Kherat says Guyton’s first priority will be enhancing athletics in the district’s primary and middle schools.
