DEBORAH OFCKY

New Trier High School

Debbie has been a member of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association since 2002.  In that time, she had served the IADA on the conference committee as a member of registration and program committees; she was the State Conference Co-Chair in 2008; she was a panelist at the summer retreat workshop, and she was a member of the IADA Executive Board for 9 years as the State Certification Chair. Debbie also served the NIAAA in a number of roles; member of the National Certification Committee for 9 years; member of the Professional Development Academy; and a certified CAA Test administrator.

Debbie has been involved in education and athletics for the past 33 years.  Starting in 1987, she began her career at Sandburg Junior High School as a physical education teacher, where she coached girls basketball, volleyball and track & field.  In 1989, Debbie became the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Promotions for Northeastern Illinois University.  In 1993, Debbie left the collegiate setting to return to high school athletics as she was hired at Glenbrook North High School as a health and physical education teacher, she also was the head coach for both the boys and girls volleyball teams. Then after 9 years at Glenbrook North, Debbie transitioned into the role of Assistant Athletic Director at New Trier High School.  In addition to her new role as Assistant Athletic Director, Debbie moved into a couple of new coaching roles as the Head Badminton Coach and the Assistant Girl Golf Coach, positions she would hold until her retirement in 2017.  She would be named the State Badminton Coach of the Year by the Illinois Coaches Association in 2010.  During her tenure at New Trier, Debbie was honored with the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award in 2015.  Debbie has served the IHSA as a member of the Badminton Advisory Committee, the Volleyball Advisory Committee, the Badminton State Seeding Committee, and the Girls Golf State Rules Committee. Additionally, she served her athletic conference, the Central Suburban League, as the Sportsmanship Committee Chair.

Jim Bloch, former Athletic Director at New Trier High School, said, “Deborah Ofcky is, at her core, character based and morally compass driven.  As long as I have known her, I have seen her grow, prosper, and impact those around her in such a positive way. She is a standard bearer when it comes to work ethic, involvement and giving to our profession and its related organizations.”

Current Athletic Director at Round Lake High School, Becky Moran, stated, “Her body of work spans academics and athletics, all at the highest level of professionalism.  She epitomizes going the extra mile for others.  Her dedication, vision, and ambition are rivaled by none.”

Deborah’s extensive contributions to high school athletics and her dedication to the IADA are a few of the many reasons that led Deborah to this selection as a member of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame.