Indio High School welcomes Shipley as new AD
After last night's board approval, coaches and administrators from Indio High School gathered at the school's football stadium to welcome Ron Shipley as new athletic director.
“My vision was, Indio’s got a rich history, I think a lot of great traditions here and I think it was a good step for me to get back into the AD role in a place like this. I'm looking forward to the opportunity,” Shipley said.
Shipley previously held the role of athletic director and football coach at crosstown rival, Shadow Hills High School.
"I’m actually very excited, you know, I was part of Shadow Hills when it was new and we didn’t really have that alumni base and that community support early on and I think with the traditions here at Indio High School, it’s going to be a great situation and I’m very excited.”
Principal Derrick Lawson was equally as excited when he introduced Shipley to Indio's other coaches. Lawson specifically cited Shipley's experience being of benefit to the school's athletic department during the era of coronavirus.
"We are walking into the unknown. We don’t know what the future is going to look like for sports just yet as the district makes decisions, working with CIF and public health. The nice thing is having the experience that Ron does, he brings to us that sense of, 'Ok, we’re going to be ok,'" Lawson said.
Even with his experience, this is an unprecedented time.
“Just like everybody else, nobody knows a thing, we’re just waiting day-to-day to see what decisions are going to be made and we’ve just got to fly with that. We have to prepare the best we can for when things can resume,” Shipley said.
"He’s been an athletic director so he kind of knows the ropes, knows how CIF works, knows how everything flows, how it should flow, so dealing with the unknown and how this could be totally different, we have some calm assurance of somebody that can help us navigate what we don’t know how to navigate, so I’m really excited. He brings a successful history as well, so I’m looking forward to what it’s going to do for Indio High School," Lawson said.
Shipley's main focus right now is looking out for his new coaches.
“I just want to come in and support these coaches as best I can. I think that’s my first goal, is to give them a chance and opportunity to be successful and just me supporting them,” he said.
News Channel 3 is continuing to follow new developments as it pertains to the upcoming year's high school athletics schedule. We will post updates as they become available!
