Light to step down as A.D. at Helias

Sometimes, a change is welcomed.

"I was just ready to do something different," Doug Light said Monday afternoon after it was announced by the school he was stepping away from his duties as athletic director at Helias at the end of the school year.

Light is finishing his second year as athletic director at the school. After his first year in the position, he was selected by the Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association as its athletic director of the year in the Central Region.

Light also serves as head basketball coach for the Lady Crusaders, who have won district tournament titles in three of the last four seasons.

"Both of those jobs take a lot of time and both are demanding," Light said. "I really like the coaching part of my job."

In a press release, the school said Light will take on new roles, including teaching and administration, as well as taking some of the duties currently held by Stan Ochsner, the dean of students. Ochsner is stepping down after the school year.

"Doug was happy to help us in filling some of these roles and I am grateful for his willingness to do so," Helias president Fr. Stephen Jones said in the release.

Light believes there's one trait needed the most by his successor.

"Experience is a good thing, but probably not the most important thing because I will still be around to help answer any questions," he said. "Someone with a lot of energy is important because it is a big-time commitment."

Fr. Jones said the search for Light's replacement will begin immediately. When Light was hired two years ago, all of the finalists for the athletic director position came from within the school.