News Summary
The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education has appointed Steve Lawson as the new Director of Athletics and Devon Saxon as Assistant Director. This leadership team will manage the Joint Powers Agreement that focuses on shared use and maintenance of athletic facilities between the school district and the city. With extensive backgrounds in coaching, both appointees are expected to enhance the athletic programs and collaboration within the community.
Beverly Hills, CA – On June 10, the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education made a significant decision by approving the appointments of Steve Lawson as the new Director of Athletics and Devon Saxon as Assistant Director of Athletics. The board voted unanimously, 5-0, for their selection.
The newly appointed leadership team will ensure effective management of the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between BHUSD and the city of Beverly Hills, focusing on the shared use and maintenance of athletic facilities. Their role is crucial in fostering collaboration between the district’s athletic needs and the city’s resources.
Steve Lawson comes with an impressive background as an Army veteran and has dedicated over 27 years to coaching and athletic administration. Previously, he served as the Head Wrestling Coach at El Dorado High School, where he was highly regarded for his coaching prowess. Under his leadership, the wrestling teams achieved remarkable success, securing multiple league titles and CIF titles, and producing 18 individual CIF champions, including a California State Champion. Beyond his coaching experience, Lawson is distinguished by accolades such as being a U.S. Open Champion, Pan American Games Bronze Medalist, and Olympic Festival Silver Medalist. He also founded and directed SCWAY, a prominent youth athletic organization in California that supports over 2,800 athletes across 75 clubs.
Devon Saxon is known for his successful tenure as a cheer coach, having led the cheer team at Birmingham Community Charter High School to six CIF-LA City Division I titles and various national recognitions. His expertise in cheerleading has earned him the title of the 2024 California Coaches Association Cheerleading Coach of the Year. In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Saxon serves as a CIF-LA Cheerleading Co-Coordinator, where he manages logistics for over 80 school teams, highlighting his commitment to the student-athletes of the region.
The appointment of Lawson and Saxon signals a step forward in the administration of athletics within the Beverly Hills Unified School District. Board President Rachelle Marcus expressed confidence in their abilities, suggesting that their experience and vision position them as the right leaders for the current needs of the district.
In terms of operations, the JPA will be vital in balancing the athletic program’s requirements with the city’s resources, enhancing the experience for student-athletes in Beverly Hills. The directors’ involvement will help streamline processes and ensure that both the school district’s objectives and community interests are effectively addressed.
The BHUSD board meeting on June 10 also covered other important topics, including security costs related to ongoing construction and the decision to ban administrator attendance at parent-teacher conferences. A detailed report summarizing these discussions, along with the appointments of Lawson and Saxon, will be made available in the upcoming Courier issue set to release on June 20.
Overall, the leadership move represents a commitment to enhancing the athletic programs and fostering a strong partnership with the city, ultimately benefiting the student-athletes in Beverly Hills.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: BHUSD Board of Education Approves New Athletic Director
- Wikipedia: Beverly Hills
- Beverly Press: BHUSD Welcomes New Athletic Leadership
- Google Search: BHUSD athletics
- Beverly Hills Courier: BHUSD Athletic Director Faces Allegations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Athletics
- Beverly Press: BHUSD Cuts Administrative Positions
- Google News: School Administration
