Lincoln County School District Athletic Directors, Zach Lillebo of Taft 7-12 and Shelley Moore of Newport High School, have been honored for their outstanding contributions to interscholastic sports by the Oregon Athletic Directors Association (OADA).
Zach Lillebo received the prestigious Class 3A Athletic Director of the Year Award, recognizing his exceptional leadership within his league. Lillebo, who has served as Taft's athletic director and assistant principal for the past three years, expressed humility in receiving the award.
"It's a great honor, but it’s not solely because of me. It’s because of the team and community members I am surrounded by. You have to build good relationships,” Lillebo said.
Shelley Moore, with a decade-long tenure within LCSD and 10 years prior to that at Eddyville K-12, was honored with the Cindy Simmons Leadership Award for classes 4, 5, and 6A. Moore's award acknowledges her exceptional efforts in guiding athletic directors, coaches, and school community members.
"It's super humbling because nominations come from superintendents, principals, fellow ADs, coaches or athletic secretaries’” she said. “It shows I am having a meaningful impact and that there is value in the work of athletic administration worth honoring. ”
Moore noted only 18% of ADs in Oregon are women which is slightly ahead of the national average.
Moore, who also serves on the OADA executive board as VP, highlighted the evolution of the Cindy Simmons Leadership Award, which now bears the name of a pioneer for women's leadership in athletics. She underscored the importance of the award in promoting diversity and inclusivity within athletic leadership roles.
“I have a goal to leave athletics different than when I came and that includes blazing a trail for girls behind me and for all athletes so they can see that there are career opportunities in agnostics beyond competing,” Moore said. “I am very thankful for the constant support I get from my school, state, district and community at large.”
OADA Executive Director Dave Hood emphasized the significance of these awards.
"The State Athletic Director Conference serves as a platform to recognize and celebrate the exemplary individuals who drive positive change and uphold the highest standards of athletic administration," Hood said.
Both Lillebo and Moore expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of their communities and the profound impact of athletics on student development. Lillebo stressed the importance of character-based learning.
"Wins are great, building character is huge for our kids in order to succeed in the real world,” he said. “ Learning about team and life skills helps prepare them for the future."
Lillebo and Moore were recognized during the OADA Conference held in Sunriver April 16. The conference continues to serve as a cornerstone event for athletic administrators, providing professional development, networking opportunities, and recognition of outstanding achievements.
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