Stevenson's Betthauser to focus on directing athletics

Trish Betthauser isn't leaving Stevenson again, but she's stepping down as girls basketball coach after three seasons.

The District 125 Board of Education on Monday approved the selection of Betthauser as one of two faculty members who will replace current Stevenson director of athletics/physical welfare John Martin, who will retire in June 2010. His position will be split into two, with Jill Smiley becoming director of physical welfare and health, and Betthauser assuming the role of director of athletics.

With Betthauser moving into the role of assistant athletic director for the next school year, she has decided to resign as girls basketball coach, effective immediately.

She will become athletic director beginning with the 2010-11 school year. One of Stevenson's leaders in the chemistry department, she will continue to teach classes in that subject in 2009-10.

Betthauser first joined the SHS faculty in 1994, teaching science and coaching basketball for two years. She left Stevenson to join the collegiate coaching ranks, first at the University of Evansville and then Indiana University. Betthauser returned to Lincolnshire in 2005 to teach in the Science Division and to replace Frank Mattucci as girls basketball coach.

Superintendent Dr. Eric Twadell said the division of Martin's position into two administrator posts is "cost neutral" to the district, and also brings SHS into line with other schools, which separate their athletic and physical welfare departments.