By STEVE PORTER
Now it’s Scott Harper’s opportunity to make his mark as the director of athletics at Alton High. Harper, formerly the Redbirds head baseball coach, resigned that position earlier in the week to become the school’s new AD.
AHS officials wanted the new director of athletics to be free from coaching so that he could concentrate on evaluating coaches, working closely with them and providing student-athletes with as much support as possible.
It can be a 24/7 job, as former director of athletics Mike Brey knows. Brey earned a promotion to assistant principal when Michael Bellm and Barb Gillian both were promoted. Gillian takes over for Phil Trapani as the school’s principal and Bellm steps into Gillian’s shoes as an assistant principal.
Harper comes into the position with solid credentials, having worked both inside and outside the school system. He toiled in the Alton Recreation Department, sharpening his organization skills.
As director of athletics, Harper inherits a program attempting to better itself in the rugged Southwestern Conference. It’s no task for the faint of heart since the eight-school SWC is as competitive as any conference in the state.
He’s looking for across the board improvement because there’s always room to improve. I’ve been told it’s the biggest room in the world.
Here’s hoping Harper can work the room with the best of them and make the Redbirds a power player in the conference. He deserves a chance to show what he can do in following in the footsteps of AD’s such as Elliott Pearson, Stan McAfoos, Ron Smith, Bob Shannon and Brey, among others.
Community support will play an integral part in it, too. So if you are willing to lend Harp a helping hand, I’m sure he will gladly grasp it.

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