PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria High School Athletic and Activities Director Brien Dunphy has been nominated as a finalist in the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) 2020 National Athletic Director of the Year.
Dunphy is one of only eight finalists nationwide.
According to Peoria Public Schools, finalists for the award are selected on many criteria including: professional high school athletic service; professional contributions made for national, state, regional or conference clinics or conferences; education, training, safety and other types of programs developed or led at the state or local level; and state, state qualifier and conference tournaments managed.
Dunphy says being a sports fan is what drove him to becoming an athletic director.
“You just want to be involved at all levels, help kids and coaches and help administration understand what [they] need. I was a special education teacher too so I think that really helped develop my passion for helping,” said Dunphy.
He also said that he keeps priority on helping kids and coaches along with his never say no attitude to new opportunities such as committees within high school sports.
His focus on the children helped Dunphy as he moved from coaching and teaching into the administrative role.
“Coaching and teaching led to more responsibility and other challenges, which led to administration and supervision duties. I just worked myself into this opportunity. I’m blessed,” said Dunphy.
When asked what this nomination means to him, Dunphy said that he just works hard every day and one thing takes care of another.
Last year Dunphy was awarded the 2019 Illinois Coaches Association Athletic Director of the Year.
The NHSACA 2020 National Athletic Director of the Year will be announced at the National Coach of the Year and Athletic Director of the Year Awards Banquet on July 23, 2020 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
