By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
SAUGATUCK–It’s been said that timing is everything.
And while it wasn’t an easy decision, Bill Dunn sensed the time was right for him to step down from his longtime role as Saugatuck High School/Middle School athletic director.
“In one sense, there is never a good time to make a decision like this because there is always work to be done,” Dunn said. “But I wanted to take a step back from the 12-to-14-hour days and spend my nights and weekends with my family.
“That’s when I knew the right time for me to step aside and give someone else the opportunity to lead this great athletic department.”
Dunn will continue serving as head coach of the varsity football team in addition to teaching at the high school. Anthony Grech—a teacher in the district for the past 20 years and a member of Dunn’s football coaching staff for the past 18 years—has been named the new athletic director.
Although the athletic director job presented its share of challenges, Dunn said he thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
“I have enjoyed my time as the school’s athletic director for so many reasons,” he said. “Mainly, I’ve enjoyed the relationships built with students, coaches, administration, officials, community members and parents. And that’s not only at Saugatuck, but also at other schools in our conference.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with our local businesses that support our school and athletics.”
When Dunn took over as athletic director two decades ago, he used his predecessor—Dan Wilson—as a sounding board.
“Dan was a great resource for me and a friend that I could go to if I needed to,” Dunn said. “His advice was to be a great listener, keep an open mind and always have an open door.”
Dunn’s goals as a new athletic director were simple.
“I wanted to build on what Dan had previously done,” he said. “My priorities were to hire good coaches, to keep kids as the first priority and help to build great athletic programs that help develop the student-athletes here at Saugatuck.”
Dunn hopes to mentor Grech in the same way Wilson mentored him in order to make the transition in leadership as smooth as possible.
“The advice Dan gave me is the same advice I will give Anthony: to be a great listener, to be accessible and to follow through on even the small details,” Dunn said. “And make sure you hire good people who put kids first.”
To say that the Saugatuck athletic department has been a successful one under Dunn’s time as athletic director would be an understatement.
Dunn’s tenure as athletic director has included Saugatuck teams earning more than 160 league, district, regional and state finalist/championship titles. Highlights have included multiple state titles for the boys track and boys cross country teams, as well as a state championship in boys golf.
Dunn has also led the football team to the state finals twice during that time.
“Yes, our athletic programs have been successful,” Dunn said. “That was largely due to the fact that we have had some talented and determined athletes.
“But in addition to that, we have had good coaches. Ones who put the kids first. Ones who stay on task. Ones who support their programs 365 days a year. And ones who have great rapport with our student athletes. That, to me, is just as important a part of the equation as anything.”
Dunn’s tenure as athletic director and football coach at Saugatuck also coincided with the high school careers of his sons: William, Nick, Blake and Bradley.
Being able to share in his sons’ high school days in such a unique ways is something Dunn cherishes.
“Watching my boys grow and develop as student-athletes, as well as mature as young men, was very special to me,” Dunn said. “The time that we were able to spend together, the moments that we were able to share, whether it was on the football field or watching them participate in their other sporting events, is something that will last a lifetime.”
Some of the free time Dunn now has will undoubtedly be used to follow the professional career of his son Blake. A four-sport standout who earned All-State recognition is football, basketball, baseball and track at Saugatuck, Blake Dunn was recently promoted to the Cincinnati Reds’ Double-A affiliate in Chattanooga.
“My wife Bev and I are definitely looking forward to spending more time with our family,” Dunn said.
As for teaching, Dunn said three more years “is a reasonable timetable.”
And coaching football?
“I hope to keep coaching as long as I have the energy and the passion to keep our football program strong,” Dunn said.