Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Executive Director Marty Hickman announced on April 29, 2013 that the IHSA has hired Kayode Adegoke as the Association’s Coordinator of Special Programs.
Adegoke is set to complete an internship with the IHSA in May and will officially join the staff full-time on July 1.
“We are excited to welcome Kayode to our team,” said Hickman. “We were not actively looking to add to our staff, but Kayode’s work ethic and leadership traits became apparent to everyone who worked with him during his time in our office as an intern. We did not want to miss out on the opportunity to add an individual with his talents to our staff.”
A Dean’s List student studying Recreation Management at Illinois State University (ISU), Adegoke is slated to receive his Bachelor of Science degree from ISU on May 11. He began as an intern at the IHSA in January and has fulfilled a variety of duties in the office, including working several state final tournaments. His exact duties in his new role will be assigned by the Executive Director.
“I am incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to join the IHSA staff,” said Adegoke. “I am very passionate about education and athletics, so to have the opportunity to begin my career in an environment that allows me to combine those passions is exciting to say the very least. I look forward to working hard for the IHSA member schools and students, while I continue my own professional maturation.”
A native of Bolingbrook, Adegoke attended Bolingbrook High School, where he participated on the Raider football and track & field teams prior to graduating in 2008. His efforts on the track earned him a scholarship to ISU, where he represented the Redbird track & field program in the finals of the Missouri Valley Conference indoor and outdoor championships 11 times in four events from 2009 to 2011.
In addition to his internship at the IHSA, Adegoke has completed two internships within ISU’s Athletic Department, while also serving in various roles at the multi-sport facility, Gametime Gym, in Bloomington and the City of Normal’s Department of Parks and Recreation. He is currently volunteering as a track & field coach at Bloomington High School.
“He has an uncanny ability to interact with individuals,” said Hickman. “He adapts well to just about any group or role, and excelled with all the responsibilities we assigned him. There is no doubt that his involvement in extracurriculars has helped shape that part of his personality.”
During his time on campus, Adegoke was also involved in the Home Sweet Home Ministries Food Drive, Voter Registration, the Bring it Back to Normal Community program, SAAC, Recess Buddies, Timber Point Camp for children with disabilities and a ‘Just Read’ community service program. He previously served on the Executive Board of Kappa Alpha Psi and was a 2012 nominee for ISU’s Rene Revis Service Award.