September 8, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 FLOW Area Indian Hills High athletic director plans to retire by Frank J. McMahon Robert Van Saders, the athletic director at Indian Hills High School, has announced that he plans to retire at the end of this school year on June 30, 2011. Van Saders was appointed in June 1997 and he assumed the position on Sept. 1 of that year. He replaced Arvi Saar, who was the athletic director at Indian Hills from the 1981-82 school year until 1997 when Van Saders was appointed. “Bottom line: It’s just time,” Van Saders explained. “This is my twenty-fifth year as an athletic director, and I have been in education for 38 years. Right now, I feel I am at the top and I am getting out while I’m at the top. I really feel I’ve accomplished everything I could here and it’s time for some new young blood.” Van Saders emphasized that he loves his job and enjoys coming to work every day, but he added, “There’s just too many nights out, and I just don’t want that many nights out anymore.” In retirement, he expects to spend more time at his home at the Jersey Shore, where he expects he will be doing some fishing while he continues to go to the gym four days a week. He doesn’t rule out, however, the possibility of becoming an interim athletic director at a school at the Jersey Shore. Van Saders points with pride to the many banners and trophies Indian Hills sports teams have won during his years as athletic director. “During my time at the school, including this year, we will have won over 100 championships,” Van Saders said. He recounted that, during his time in the district, the baseball field was reconstructed, the turf field was installed twice, the school got a new track and a new softball field, and the gymnasium was upgraded. In addition, he advised that he started the Parents Athletic Council, the school’s booster club, right after he arrived at the school. He was directly involved in the installation of lights at the school’s football field, having signed for an $85,000 loan for 555 Russell Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481 (just west of Rt. 208) • 201-891-4595 • www.gumc.org Grace United Methodist Church The people of Grace invite you and your family to join with us in worship and fellowship as we begin the fall season SUNDAY WORSHIP: 9 AM & 11 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES: 9 AM & 11 AM: Infants to Grade 5 10 AM Grades 6 – 12 and Adults As of Sunday, 9/12/10 “Let the little children come unto me...” the booster club, which was later repaid. He also started the girls’ lacrosse program at both schools in the district (Indian Hills High School and Ramapo High School), and the boys’ and girls’ swim program at Indian Hills. In 2008, Van Saders was named the Athletic Director of the Year by the Bergen County Athletic Director’s Association. Paul Saxton, the superintendent of the regional high school district at that time, said Van Saders was chosen by his peers because of his commitment to school and community, and for running an efficient athletic program. In 2004, Van Saders received a sportsmanship award for Indian Hills High School, which was recommended to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association by the school’s athletic league, the North Bergen Interscholastic League. The award recognizes the sportsmanship (continued on page 29) 3 Youth Choirs – Ages 4 through Grade 12 4 Fellowship Groups ranging from Age 4 through senior high CHOIRS & FELLOWSHIP GROUPS FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH Grace Weekday Nursery School has classes for children ages 3 to 5 30%-50% Off Local y Deliver Top Soil $ 40 lb. bag MUMS the word! FREE Trees & Shrubs �������������� Lawn Repair Kit Fertilizer Scott & Jonathan Green Seed Seed Starter Mulch Pat from Janine GraceChurch3x3(9-1-10) 3 col x 3” 1 99 FRESH PERENNIALS COUPON 20% OFF �������������� ���������������������������� �������������������������� ������������� �������������������������� Professional ����������������������������� Landscape PROPANE Design 201-444-9995 • OPEN 7 DAYS 9AM–6PM ��������������������������������������������� �����������������������