Brian Lewis spent his first day at his new job on Wednesday.
Lewis was selected last month to become the 12th athletics director in Columbus North history, pending board approval on July 20. He replaces Jeff Hester, who left after 12 years to become assistant athletics director at Carmel.
The 40-year-old Lewis, who played football at Indiana University, has spent the past 16 years in the St. Louis area, where he grew up. He has been assistant athletics director and assistant football coach at Mary Institute & Country Day School in the St. Louis suburb of Ladue, Missouri the past eight years.
On Thursday, North held a meet-and-greet session for Lewis, where coaches, athletes and fans could come in and meet the new athletics director. During that time, he took a few minutes to sit down and answer some questions from The Republic:
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Have you moved to Columbus yet?
"I’m trying to get down here on the 17th or the 20th. We still have to close on the house that we sold, and then we’re trying to find a house here. So we’re in the process of finding something right now."
What is your biggest memory of your time as a college student-athlete in Indiana?
"My best memories are just being around the guys that you battle with every single day. I built some really great lasting relationships. There’s a lot of guys that I still talk to today. Just having that sense of family when you’re away from your family is definitely important."
How tough of a decision was it to come back to the Hoosier state?
"It was a tough decision. A lot of my family is in St. Louis, and I have a lot of friends there. We live in a great neighborhood. Moving back to Indiana is tough, but at the same time, I still feel like this is home to me. I’m close to my in-laws, and my sister and brother-in-law don’t live too far from here and I have friends in Indianapolis. So I think it’s the right decision.
What do you think from what you’ve seen of the town and school?
"It’s nice. I really like it. The people are really nice here. I work with some really great coaches. Everybody has welcomed me with open arms. It makes you feel comfortable. It makes me feel a little better about being here in Columbus. We’ve driven around quite a bit, and I really like it."
What has been your first order of business your first couple of days on the job?
"We’re making sure everyone is following proper protocols and making sure our kids and coaches are safe. We want to make sure we have a fall season. If we do the right things, I think we have a good chance of making it happen."
Have you had a chance to talk to any athletes yet?
"I’ve only seen them in passing because they’re either going to practice or leaving to go home. I just kind of wanted to not bother them at this point because they’re probably pretty worn out after their practices. But I have had a chance to talk to some coaches. They’ve stopped in, and we’ve had some really great conversations."
How has the first week of training at North gone?
"So far, so good. We haven’t had any issues with anything. The coaches have said their practices have gone fairly well, so as of now, all is well. The trainers have been pretty vigilant on making sure the kids are doing what they’re supposed to do."
What kind of overall philosophy do you have as an AD?
"First, we’re an educational-based athletic program. Academics is the most important thing to me. That’s something that can never be taken away from you. You work pretty hard to accomplish certain things. Athletics is a privilege. It’s not a right, so in order for you to be eligible, you have to meet a certain requirement. It all starts in the classroom. I think if you’re doing everything the right way, it will trickle out onto the fields."
What do you see as your biggest challenge as an AD?
"The biggest challenge right now is COVID, just making sure that everybody is safe because they’re following protocol and kids are doing what they’re supposed to do."
Are you optimistic we will have a fall sports season?
"I’m hoping we do. I think the kids definitely need to be around each other. Not having a spring season last year kind of put a damper on things. The kids have been separate from each other for quite some time, so it’s good for them to be able to be around each other and fellowship and build the athletic community back up and move forward."
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Name: Brian Lewis
Age: 40
High school: Pattonville (Missouri)
College: Indiana University
Occupation: Athletics director at Columbus North
Family: Wife Emily, children Maxwell and Cecilia
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