FRANKFORT, Ind. (May 14, 2025) – Jeff Irwin has been named the new athletic director for Frankfort High School, following a unanimous vote by the Community Schools of Frankfort board. The decision was made upon the recommendation of CSF Superintendent Dr. Matt Rhoda. Irwin replaces Ed Niehaus, who is retiring.
Irwin brings over 20 years of experience in sports management and business leadership to the role. His expertise includes athlete development, financial oversight, project management, revenue generation, and strategic leadership. He is recognized for his ability to build and execute strategic plans, foster collaboration, and manage budgets, fundraising, and financial risk. Irwin is passionate about helping sports organizations develop leadership, evaluate strategic direction, and enhance performance outcomes.
Throughout his career, Irwin has achieved significant professional milestones. He secured a record-breaking $500,000 corporate sponsorship with Ray Skillman Buick for Lawrence Township Schools, which was noted as setting a historical precedent for athletic funding across numerous schools and approximately 20,000 students. At Purdue University, he spearheaded 20 major maintenance and renovation projects, aiming to elevate Big Ten Athletics Facilities to meet competitive standards.
Irwin also played a role in achieving the first-ever state football title for Lawrence Central High School at the 5A level, an accomplishment recognized as groundbreaking for both the school and the township.
Most recently, at Babcock Neighborhood School in Punta Gorda, Florida, Irwin spearheaded the creation of the athletic department for grades 6-12 from the ground up. This involved establishing 30 sports programs and recruiting over 300 student athletes and 50 coaches within 3.5 years. He also oversaw a $1.2 million budget and directed 48 coaches.
Irwin’s achievements at Babcock include securing over $100,000 in corporate sponsorships, implementing a $4.4 million Capital Campaign for athletics and the arts, establishing the Trailblazer Athletics Booster Club to raise $30,000 annually, and providing financial analysis for a new outdoor athletics facility complex. He also developed community engagement initiatives for middle school teams joining a new athletic conference.
Prior to Babcock, Irwin served at the MSD of Lawrence Township from July 2012 to July 2017. There, he designed strategic plans for 850 athletes and 110 coaches, oversaw programs, and orchestrated the joining of a new conference of Indiana’s six largest high schools. He directed a $1.5 million budget covering salary, transportation, and departmental costs. Beyond the record $500,000 sponsorship, he helped student-athletes achieve a GPA of 3.3/4.0, significantly higher than the rest of the student body, by creating the Bears Athletics Student Services Program (BASS) which provided tutors and support.
He also created a five-year strategic plan and organized events supporting state championships in football and Girls Track and Field. During this time, he also achieved the first athletic department apparel deal with ADIDAS and the largest corporate sponsorship agreement in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC) history.
From July 2009 to July 2012, Irwin led daily operations at Western Boone Jr-Sr High School, overseeing 85 coaches across 20 sports and developing a strategic plan. He guided budgeting, fundraising, partnerships, and facility improvements.
Irwin implemented an extensive professional development plan for coaches and achieved the best Sagamore Athletic Conference All-Sports Standings finish in 14 years for both boys and girls athletics.
His earlier experience includes leading multiple athletic facility construction renovations and creating professional development plans at Southmont High School from 2007 to 2009. From 2001 to 2007, he was the Game Management and Championships Director at Purdue University, overseeing operations for various sports including football, basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling, and track and field.
