Riverton High’s athletic director steps aside

After 39 years teaching in the Jordan School District, Riverton High Athletic Director Gordon Hinckley is scheduled to retire on Jan. 15.

Many of his former Riverton High students and faculty members said that he has taught them a lot about life and hard work.

“He will certainly be missed around here,” Riverton Assistant Principal Curtis Hagan said.

Hinckley will be honored at an open house hosted by the school’s administration Wednesday, Jan. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Riverton High School Media Center, 12476 South Silverwolf Way.

Hinckley began his career teaching at Bingham High School in 1974. He has since worked at Union Middle School, Mt. Jordan Middle School and Oquirrh Hills Middle School. He is part of the original faculty that began at Riverton High School in 1999.

Hinckley taught Spanish, health, Earth Science, math, driver’s education and physical education. He currently serves as the Silverwolves’ athletic director.

“One of the greatest things about Gordon is his consistent leadership. Gordon is not flashy, but steady. He is always there and ready to help,” Riverton’s boys tennis coach Karl McKenzie said.

As athletic director, Hinckley could be found hanging up banners, setting up chairs and making sure the grass was cut and properly marked for the games.

“He made sure that our soccer field looked nice, even filling in dirt spots with grass. He mostly did the tedious jobs. He made us feel important,” Silverwolves’ soccer and basketball player Pume Currie said.

The athletic director has the responsibility to be the team’s first line of support when dealing with issues such as eligibility, sportsmanship or parents. He makes sure the teams are following the rules and promoting safe and fair play.

“Gordon is very good at his job. He has put in hundreds of hours serving the athletics department here at Riverton,” girls basketball coach Ron Ence said.

Hinckley plans on serving an LDS mission in the fall.

“It is just time for me to step aside,” he said.

Hinckley was awarded the 2007 Utah High School Athletics Association’s Athletic Director of the Year award.

“He is the funniest teacher at our school. I can tell he loves what he does. All of the students have a special bond with him,” senior Jamie Smith said.