Director of Athletics and Fitness Doug Spiwak has announced he'll retire June 30 from Harper College after a 33-year career at the Palatine institution.
Spiwak has been at the helm of Harper's athletics program since 2004 and served as head athletic trainer for the 15 previous years. During his tenure, Spiwak has strengthened the women's programs, helped to transform the Hawks brand, supported the renovation of the Foglia Foundation Health and Recreation Center, and served as a tireless advocate for student athlete success on and off the field.
The Harper Hawks have won 27 national championships during Spiwak's career at Harper.
"It has been an honor to serve the college over the last 33 years," Spiwak said. "During this time, I have had the opportunity to grow as a professional, serve the community, and help thousands of student athletes reach their goals."
Spiwak has left an indelible mark on community college athletics at a local, regional and national level. He has served in numerous capacities over the last three decades, including the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 4 men's region director, women's assistant region director, Division I tennis chair, football chair and Division III volleyball chair for Region 4. He was also president of the National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrators, presiding over the 2019 convention in Orlando, and is currently on the executive board as a past president.
Spiwak was honored as a 2019-20 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year for the Junior College/Community Colleges division. He's currently the North Central Community College Conference (N4C) president. Spiwak also served as chair of the NJCAA National Student Athlete Success Council, among many other posts.
Spiwak played an instrumental role in the $40 million renovation of the former Wellness and Sports Center, helping with the planning and construction process to reimagine the nearly 40-year-old building as a one-of-a-kind center promoting a holistic culture of wellness through a new model of academic, athletic and recreational opportunities and health services.
In 2021, Harper athletics unveiled its Hall of Fame, which Spiwak helped guide through design, construction and completion.
Spiwak is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he majored in both biology and athletic training. He is supported by his wife, Wendy, and his daughters, Mia and Abbie.
"Working at Harper has allowed me to provide for my family, educate my daughters, and work with some of the finest professionals in higher education," Spiwak said. "Education is the heart of the college and athletics is its soul."
