The DeForest Area School District is pleased to announce the hiring of Richard Henert to serve as the District’s next Athletic and Activities Director. He will be replacing Mike McHugh, who will retire June 30 after a very successful career serving our school district and the greater community. According to Superintendent Eric Runez, Richard will officially begin his role on July 1, 2020, with a transition plan over the next several months.
Richard was born and raised in DeForest, graduating from DeForest Area High School in 1997. His parents (Martin and Ellen) still live in the District. Richard participated in a number of community youth programs and was actively involved in high school soccer, golf, football, drama, and DECA, among other activities.
He earned his undergraduate degree in physical education, adaptive physical education and coaching from the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse where he also played football, gained experience working in the intramural athletics department, and met his wife, Gillian. His professional teaching career started at Ticasuk Brown Elementary School outside Fairbanks, Alaska, where he also coached football and track at North Pole High School. He was later hired to become the head football coach at North Pole High School and moved to teach History and physical education there. While in Alaska, Richard was selected as Alaska Football Coach of the Year, UWL Alumni Coach of the Year in 2008, nominated for the Alaska BP Teacher of the Year twice, served on the Alaska Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and worked with Special Olympics Alaska. In 2016, Richard took on the position as Athletic and Activities Coordinator at Kingston High School in Kingston, Washington. During his time at KHS, he oversaw the school’s seventeen athletic programs and over fifteen different activity groups. KHS athletics participated in the Olympic League and the West Central District with wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, and golf. Richard prides himself on working to build community connections. He was actively involved in Rotary and the Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Richard has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and his Certified Athletic Administrator credentials.
Richard and Gillian and their two children, Thomas (13) and Cadence (10) are looking forward to the opportunity to move closer to their family and friends in the Midwest. “It is a great honor for me to take my experiences and leadership to serve the community that raised me. I look forward to the years of opportunity and professional growth ahead to help future Norski’s reach their potential just as I was built up by so many who served me,” said Richard.
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