It didn't take Brad Dempsey long to climb the ladder at Helias.
In just his third year associated with the high school, Dempsey was named the new activities director Tuesday afternoon.
"It is a true honor to be blessed with the opportunity to serve as the new activities director at Helias Catholic High School," Dempsey said in a released statement. "I look forward to serving the Helias family and continuing to build upon the tradition of excellence that has been established by the past and present servant leaders of our school. Together we will work hard to continue to develop the most successful extra-curricular programs in our region and beyond. I ask that you please keep my family and I in your prayers as we embark on our journey of serving Helias Catholic High School."
Dempsey was a jack-of-all-trades in his soon-to-be-old roles. He was an assistant boys basketball coach, the head girls soccer coach, the activities director at St. Joseph Cathedral and the president of the Parochial Athletic League.
"All those opportunities and having great people to work with I think helped set the stage for me to have this opportunity," Dempsey said Tuesday night.
While there is no set date for the takeover, Dempsey said the general thought process is sooner rather than later from Doug Light, the current A.D.
"Father (Stephen W.) Jones and the administration and I have to sit down and discuss all the details about me taking over," he said. "Maybe they have some vision as far as the priorities, what they would like to see me do right off the bat. I'm excited for that opportunity. ... (Fr. Jones is) doing a great job of putting his vision into place. I'm just happy to be a part of this vision."
Dempsey said there are two priorities at the top of his list.
"Building relationships will the be the top priority," he said, referencing the Helias administration, coaches, teachers, staff, students and athletes, as well as the area community around and other activities directors from around the state.
"No. 2 priority would be to sit down with each head coach at our school and see what we need to do to get organized to move forward to have the best extracurricular activities that we can possibly have and make sure that we provide a great experience in each aspect. When each student-athlete or band member or choir member leaves Helias, we want them to be able to say, "I had a great experience at Helias Catholic High School.' That's what we want. We have a great group of people to work toward that goal."
As far as coaching goes, that will eventually come to an end for Dempsey.
"I'm stepping away from basketball," he said. "I've had the opportunity to coach with (Helias head coach) Josh Buffington and (Helias assistant coach) Joe Rothweiler, who are the two people that brought me to Jefferson City. Two of my best friends. Having the opportunity to coach with those guys and learn from them has been a tremendous experience and I'll miss it. But at the same time I'll be close to them and their program in a different capacity and I'll still be able to be around all those kids.
"Girls soccer, I will be transitioning out. It's hard to the be the activities director and coach at the same time. The timeline on that is unknown."
So a new chapter begins.
"I'm excited," Dempsey said. "Obviously none of this would be possible without my wife, Gala, and my two kids, Alice and Aubrie. They've been fantastic in helping me grow professionally. I have to thank God for showing me favor and giving me the opportunity to be at such a great institution like Helias Catholic High School."