New to the Game: East hires New Athletic Director

As cheering echoed through the gym, new Athletic Director Ryan Johnson stood still with an expression of pure contentment beaming across his face for game day. All of his hard work has truly paid off, and his heart “felt warm.”

Johnson is spending his fifteenth year in education at East after having been the Athletic Director at DeSoto High School for the past seven years.

“I still need to supervise and manage people at the game, but being able to sit back and watch our coaches, our athletes and our fans enjoy the opportunity that I’ve been a part of creating for them,” Johnson said. “That really gives me a great sense of satisfaction.”

Johnson is excited by the significant sense of support he has already gotten from the East community and staff members during his first few weeks here.

In order to stay on track with East’s constant events, Johnson plans the weekly newsletters a week in advance. Working ahead allows him to stay organized and on top of everything he needs to get done throughout the week to promote the 28 athletics, activities and various number of sports clubs.

He’s also learning how to adapt to his new setting. East has about 700 more students than his last school, which has required him to learn the new system of planning events.

A vital part of Johnson’s job is promoting events on a daily basis through social media such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. He also completes behind-the-scenes tasks like checking scoreboards, getting facilities ready and making sure enough officials are signed up for events.

 “That way coaches can show up and just coach, kids can show up and play and fans can show up and cheer on the Lancers,” Johnson said.

Johnson describes Jeanne Dusek, the Admin Assistant for Athletics, as a “phenomenal blessing” who aids him in scheduling, contracts and planning ahead.

“We’ve had to work together to fill a lot of holes,” Dusek said.

Along with Dusek, Johnson works with Environmental Education teacher Rusty Debey who helps with different work like helping with technology, working at events and student eligibility. Both Debey and Dusek are excited to work with Johnson because he is good with communication, organized and his openness to feedback and input from Debey.

“I love his open door policy and the way he’s able to give a big dynamic push for Shawnee Mission East,” Dusek said. Johnson wants the East community to know that he will stay organized, work hard and do the best he can to support all of the East programs this year.