Hanson chosen to lead MHS athletic department, boys' basketball team

Former Mendota star athlete returning home

Kip Cheek
Posted 5/11/17

MENDOTA – Steve Hanson was in the process of wrapping up another school year, quite content in his job as principal at Serena High School, when he saw something that raised an eyebrow.

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Hanson chosen to lead MHS athletic department, boys' basketball team

Former Mendota star athlete returning home

Posted

MENDOTA – Steve Hanson was in the process of wrapping up another school year, quite content in his job as principal at Serena High School, when he saw something that raised an eyebrow. He was looking on the job bank at openings in school districts throughout the state, more out of curiosity than anything, and that’s when he saw it – Mendota High School District 280 seeking an athletic director and boys’ varsity basketball coach.

He wasn’t looking to leave Serena, and not many jobs would be appealing enough to make him do so. But Mendota was perhaps the one and only place he would consider, so that’s when he put the wheels in motion. Because for a chance at landing a job at Mendota High School, it would mean Hanson would be coming back home.

Hanson is a Compton native and a 1989 graduate of Mendota High School. He was a three-sport star at MHS, playing golf, basketball and baseball. The Trojan golf team finished third in the state his senior year, the basketball team made it all the way to the quarterfinals of the state tournament and he was the leading hitter on the MHS baseball team.

One of the first calls Hanson made was to his former basketball coach, Mike Kilmartin, asking him about the openings. And then he sent an e-mail to MHS superintendent Jeff Prusator, the person who would be spearheading finding someone to fill the positions. Prusator immediately called Hanson, and the process began. Hanson was formally hired as the new athletic director and boys’ varsity basketball coach at a special board of education meeting on May 5.

“When Jeff called me, my interest was piqued,” said Hanson. “It all happened pretty quickly.”

Hanson said he asked a few questions of Prusator to see if it was something he would be interested in pursuing further, and the answer was yes.

“I felt like this was a good situation for me and my family, and an opportunity to come home,” said Hanson. “I never ever thought I would have a chance at a job like this.”

“We are very excited to have Mr. Hanson join our administrative team and coaching staff,” stated Prusator. “Steve comes to us as a highly recommended administrator and coach. MHS will benefit from Steve's high character, strong work ethic, and most importantly, his strong desire to do what is best for our students.

“Steve is an experienced administrator and coach and will bring a wealth of knowledge and ideas to our school district. We believe Mr. Hanson will be a great fit for both our school district and community.”

While Hanson has had experience in coaching and school administration, this will be his first time as an athletic director. He believes his years as an assistant principal and principal, and his vast knowledge and love of sports, are ideal qualifications for the job.

“An AD job has always been something I thought I would be interested in,” noted Hanson. “I think I am well-rounded in other facets of school administration, which will help me in this new position.”

After college, Hanson spent eight years in the information technology field. During part of that time he served as an assistant baseball coach at Aurora Christian High School. It was then that Hanson decided he wanted to get into education and coaching full time. He taught math and continued coaching at Aurora Christian, and in 2009, he became the varsity boys’ basketball coach. In 2011, his Aurora Christian team lost in the supersectional to eventual state champion Chicago Hales Franciscan.

Then came the uncertainty about whether Aurora Christian High School was going to have enough funds to remain open, so Hanson left the school and became principal at Troy Middle School in Shorewood for one year. He spent two years as the assistant principal at Coal City High School and has been the principal at Serena the past two years.

Hanson, who is ninth on the all-time basketball scoring list at MHS, said he’ll be starting to think about the 2017-18 basketball season by the end of this month, with summer ball beginning in June.

“I think we’ll use the summer to learn about the kids and then be ready to roll in November,” said Hanson.

Hanson can’t wait to get started, still living in a surreal state that he is coming back to his alma mater.

“It’s kind of hard to believe that I’m the athletic director and boys’ basketball coach at Mendota High School,” he said.