IADA Hall of Fame

Among his peers, Lee Pappas "had a great reputation for being accountable, getting things done the right way, being well organized, being helpful, and being a man of his word." During his 15 year tenure, Lee Pappas founded noth the Quincy Senior High School Scholastic Based Scholarship and the Quincy Senior High School Athletic Scholarship-both of which were renamed for him upon his retirement. Lee Pappas was not only dedicated to improving the educational opportunities for Quincy's student athletes, but he made it his mission to have the Quincy Athletic Programs give back to the community as well. Lee Pappas was the creative force behind the QSHA "Giving Back to the Future Program" that required each team/activity to participate in interactive community programs such as Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, Mentors for Young Lives, Hoops Shoot, and First Tee Program. A fellow athletic director shared that "Lee would always lead by example, whether it was a good or bad situation...he was a great mentor for me...he always took the time to listen to me no matter how busy he was." The quality of dedicating time and energy to each and every person, situation, and/or endeavor is what set Lee Pappas apart from the rest. One colleague stated, "Girls' athletic schedules, use of falcilities and fairness in salaries were enhanced under his direction." Another associate revealed that "we were able to take a potentially bad rivalry and tun it into a good one..at every contest, we would meet and work the event together as one-the teamwork we had made our rivalry a good one." Lee was an athletic director determined to be the change he wished to see in the world and remained true to the IHSA standards of conduct. The greatest compliment to an athletic director is recognition from his peers; in 2000 and 2002 Lee Pappas was chosen as IADA Outstanding Athletic Director of the Year. From founding the QSHA MUlti-Athletic Award Program and QSHS Walls of Fame to serving the IHSA for 36 years of service in officiating , it is no surprise that Leonidas Pappas's career has earned him induction to the Illinois Athletic Directors' Association Hall of Fame.