More than 30 coaches and assistant coaches have resigned from Hinsdale South's athletic department in the past year, according to Patch. On Monday, July 13, parents told the District 86 board they want to know why.

At a special board meeting, Heather Ruff, president of the Hinsdale South Parent Athletic Club, called out athletic director Art Ostrow by name, saying the club has watched Hornets programs decline and that the department lacks visible leadership.

"This is about Art and Hinsdale athletics," Ruff told the board. "There is a lack of community awareness, a lack of support of the athletes, and ultimately, it impacts the reputation of the school, not just the athletics."

Ruff said the Parent Athletic Club, a nonprofit that traditionally focuses on fundraising, has shifted part of its mission toward repairing the department's reputation and re-engaging the community with Hornets sports. She added that rebuilding should not fall to volunteers alone.

Parent Chris Mezzo followed Ruff and formally asked the board to launch an independent review of Ostrow's performance, the operation of the athletic department, and the adequacy of district oversight. Mezzo said the inquiry should seek confidential feedback from current and former students, parents, coaches, and staff, and produce publicly documented findings.

Mezzo told the board that the athletic director should be a visible, engaged leader attending events and communicating consistently, and that community members do not believe they are seeing that leadership.

Board member acknowledges pattern

Jeff Waters, the board's longest-serving member and a youth sports coach himself, said after the public comments that he has heard similar concerns since he was first elected in 2021. He did not commit to any specific action.

The departures first drew wide attention in a Patch report published July 1, which quoted a departing coach saying "hard work, dedication and organization are not appreciated anymore."

As of Monday afternoon, neither Ostrow nor Hinsdale South principal Kari Peronto had responded to Patch's requests for comment.

What's next

The board has not announced a vote or timeline on the independent review request. Fall sports registration at Hinsdale South opens Wednesday, July 15, two days after the meeting, putting the state of the athletic department top of mind for Hornets families preparing for the season.