Gertz leaving Burlington for Grayslake Central
It’s not that Steve Gertz was looking for a new job.
But when opportunity knocks, one must answer.
After two years as Athletic and Activities Director at Burlington Central, Gertz will leave that position June 30 to assume the duties as Athletic Director at Grayslake Central.
“It’s very bittersweet for myself and my family,” said Gertz after BC’s graduation ceremony Friday night. “Our time in the Burlington Central community and at Central High School has been awesome. We’ve enjoyed every moment of it.
“But Grayslake Central is a great opportunity for myself personally and professionally, and for my family. It’s the golden gem of Lake County. They have lacrosse, which I haven’t been involved yet and they have outstanding facilities. It’s a great opportunity and I’m excited about it.”
Gertz will take over for Tom Kim, who accepted an assistant principal’s position. Kim is the former Elgin football coach and was there when Gertz was AD at Streamwood.
An enticement for Gertz was the opportunity to wear one hat. At Streamwood he had as many as five titles before he left for Burlington, but even there he oversaw activities and athletics, and was the district’s facility use/rental coordinator.
“It’s one of those opportunities that doesn’t come up very often,” Gertz said. “It was a very hard decision but also an easy decision. But we’re leaving behind a school we really enjoyed.”
“Over the past two years Mr. Gertz has been instrumental in improving our facilities, establishing consistency in our school and athletics, created a Student Athletics and Activities Advisory Club, helped improve school and staff spirit, increased communication and has been very active in the community,” said Burlington Central principal Matt Haug in a statement.”
One of Gertz’s first priorities at Grayslake Central will be to hire a football coach to replace Nick Goshe, who left recently to become an assistant at Fremd. Gertz hired Rich Crabel to replace Aaron Wichman as football coach at Burlington and the Rockets went 7-3 and returned to the playoffs after a five-year hiatus in Crabel’s first year. Gertz also made the successful hire of former Lake Park softball coach Cray Allen, who coached the Rockets’ softball team to a regional title this season.