Disabato: Barham’s departure from Eisenhower leaves gaping hole

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Eisenhower High School athletic director Bryan Barham holds a "Captains Club" meeting once a month with the captains from each of the school's 23 sports teams. Barham recently announced his resignation. | File photo

Updated: March 15, 2012 8:06AM

Athletic director.

In my estimation, it’s the worst job in education.

Of course, overseeing a thriving athletic department, one that boasts student-athletes excelling in the classroom and on the field, must be extremely gratifying.

And, yes, the pay is sweet.

However, it doesn’t make up for the ridiculously long hours.

Beginning the work day at 8 a.m. and ending it some nights 12 to 14 hours later, to me, doesn’t sound very appealing.

To compound matters, there are the phone calls from disgruntled parents, demands of coaches, seemingly never-ending paperwork and scheduling drama.

Athletic directors also are required to attend sports events most evenings.

Like I said earlier, the job pays well. Most public school athletic directors are knocking on the six-figure salary door. That makes for a pretty nice pension.

Still, the time commitment, which includes working some Saturdays and most of the summer, has a way of evening things out.

We are fortunate in the Southland that most athletic directors perform their jobs well.

Of course, like any profession, some ADs are better than others. One of the better ones is Eisenhower’s Bryan Barham.

That’s why, when he recently called me with news of his resignation, effective at the end of the school year, I was equal parts stunned and ... upset.

Stunned because I didn’t see it coming. Upset because Barham was good for Eisenhower.

“The time commitment needed as AD is extremely high,” said Barham, a 1991 graduate of Shepard. “You really never have a chance to unplug from the job and just focus on family. I’m always here at school doing things and not being at home. I really enjoy the position, but I value being a good father and being there for my kids.”

Barham will return to the classroom, most likely at Eisenhower, which will allow him to spend more time with 5-year-old son Luke and 16-month-old daughter Julia.

Admittedly, my feelings are not solely professional. Eisenhower holds a special place in my heart. I’m an alum, and consider my years at Ike some of the most rewarding of my life.

The school, however, always has had an image problem, which Barham has worked hard to improve. Under Barham, it no longer was sufficient for student-athletes simply to compete. He expected them to strive for championships.

“We’re the biggest school in (South Suburban) conference,” Barham said. “We should be much better and the kids should expect to be better.”

The school’s athletic facilities, both indoor and outdoor, drastically improved under Barham the past five years. In fact, the campus never has looked better. New scoreboards on the baseball, football and softball fields, new gym floors and football stadium lights are some of the upgrades.

Additionally, the softball field has new dugouts and the swimming pool received a much-needed makeover. Barham has promised me the baseball field dugouts, now a less-than-imposing beige — beige? Really? — will be painted either Cardinal red or black before his tenure is over.

Barham’s fresh ideas and approach were welcome additions to an otherwise stale athletic department.

How stale, you ask?

When Barham took over as AD, championship banners recognizing individual and team accomplishments through the years were gathering dust in the school’s basement. How’s that for school pride?

Now when you walk into Eisenhower’s gym, banners are proudly hanging, producing a sense of pride and accomplishment while enhancing the school’s image.

Additionally, Barham instituted monthly awards for players and coaches and rewarded teams for academic excellence.

Barham’s departure will leave massive shoes to fill.

“It’s an honor to work here,” said Barham, president of the South Suburban Conference Athletic Directors. “It’s been a wonderful experience. The image of Eisenhower isn’t a reflection of what’s inside here. There are a lot of wonderful coaches, kids and administrators here. It’s hard to walk away, but I have to do what’s best for my family.”