High schools: Kuffel succeeds Jennings as St. Viator's athletic director

Jason Kuffel, a St. Viator graduate from the Class of 1999, was announced as the school's new athletic director Thursday.

In making the announcement, St. Viator President Brian Liedlich noted that Kuffel is the first alumnus of the school to serve in this capacity.

"I am exceptionally pleased to announce today that Jason Kuffel has accepted my offer to become the new athletic director for Saint Viator High School," Liedlich said in an internal memo to the faculty and staff of the school.

Kuffel has served as Director of Enrollment for the past four years while also serving stints as an assistant coach in the school's successful basketball and lacrosse programs.

According to Liedlich, "Jason stood out among the more than 90 initial applications we received from many qualified individuals across the Chicago area and beyond. While rapid, our search was intense and thorough, and I believe with certainty that Jason is the right person to guide us into the next era of St. Viator Athletics."

Kuffel said in a release from the school that he welcomes the challenge to continue his service to his alma mater.

"It has been an honor to help expand our student body numbers through my role as Director of Enrollment for the past few years," Kuffel said. "It has allowed me to get to know so many families throughout the entire region. I look forward to the challenges of now working with our outstanding coaches and trainers to guide many of those students through their athletic pursuits in a St. Viator uniform."

Kuffel will be replacing his close friend Marty Jennings, who has accepted a role in the development department at his alma mater, Loyola Academy in Wilmette. Both Liedlich and Kuffel thanked Jennings for his service over the last four highly successful years for the school's athletic teams.

"Jason not only follows Marty Jennings, but a succession of outstanding athletic directors at Saint Viator, including Fr. Pat Cahill, who our gym is named after, and Bob Artman, whose name is associated with one of our highest student awards. I know that Jason is more than up to the task," Liedlich said, noting that the decision to select Kuffel was unanimous among the seven-member search committee.

Kuffel, who begins in his new role immediately, noted that the environment has changed a great deal since his playing days. Year-round programs, the addition of an on-staff strength and conditioning coach, some of the summer camps for grade school and junior high students, and the rapid expansion of technology in training and coaching are just some of the changes Kuffel is embracing.

"I am excited to implement some of the innovative technology that is now available to student athletes while upholding the more than 55 years of St. Viator Lion tradition."