Salem Academy Tabs Endicott College Alum As New Athletic Director

SALEM, MA — Endicott College alumnus Joe Desjardins will take over as the new athletic director at Salem Academy starting this summer.

The current assistant athletic director at Austin Prep in Reading has also served as a program director for the Special Olympics and has coached multiple sports, including baseball, soccer, and basketball.

"I'm beyond grateful to join the Salem Academy community as the athletic director and help continue to grow and lead a program that already has such a strong foundation," Desjardins said. "When this opportunity became a possibility, I knew I was joining a mission-driven school determined to help graduate college-ready students of strong character and integrity.

"I'm excited to meet and start working with all of the students, faculty, and coaches for the upcoming school year."

Desjardins will replace Drew Betts, who is leaving the Salem charter school after 12 years to take over as the new athletic director in Danvers Public Schools in July.

"We are thrilled to welcome Joe to Salem Academy," said Salem Academy Executive Director Stephanie Callahan said. "His leadership, experience, and dedication to the student-athlete experience make him the right person to lead our athletic department into the future."

Desjardins earned both his bachelor's degree and master's in business administration at Endicott.

As AD, he will work with coaches, staff and student-athletes on a day-to-day basis as well as work to increase community engagement and strengthen partnerships with alumni and colleges.

"We are excited by Joe's passion, commitment and understanding of how powerful a successful athletic program can be for students and the broader school community," said Chyna Onembo, the school's managing director of safe and supportive culture.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)