Don Seeker doesn’t know what the future holds but he’s ready to find out.
Seeker, 66, who has spent the last five years as Revere High School’s athletic director, announced his retirement at the conclusion of the school year.
He’s spent the last 25 years in that role at Revere, Chippewa (two years) and Tallmadge.
“It’s a tough decision, but it’s time,” Seeker said. “There’s a little bit of hesitation of, ‘What do we do next?’ I’ve been an AD for 25 years and spent time on the fields at all these events. It’ll be nice to have no nights and weekend [obligations], but it is also brings up what we’ll do with that time.”
During his time at Revere, the Minutemen won 14 Suburban League titles, six district title and a regional title, with the boys soccer team playing in a state final in 2023. Revere had countless individuals reach the state tournament under Seeker’s watch.
What Revere has meant to athletic director Don Seeker
Peers and students have grown to love and admire the always smiling athletic director, who was always up for a conversation.
It made him well respected and regarded at all three places, but especially at Revere.
That notion was driven home when the Northeast Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association named him the 2025-2026 Athletic Director of the Year.
“I’ll miss the coaches and kids,” Seeker said. “I’ve been blessed to work with some fantastic athletes. Not only as a coach, but as an athletic director. The kids and the coaches are the biggest things, but the administrators and, as crazy as this sounds, I’ll miss the referees. I’ll miss the athletic directors. Nobody knows what we do except the guys and girls that do this and their spouses. But we do this for the kids. You want to do what’s best for the kids and coaches.
“Revere took me in at a time that was really good. I hope I held up my end of the bargain. They were looking for an AD and I was looking to possibly come back to the Suburban League. I hope they got their money’s worth. All three districts I worked in were great.”
What’s next for Revere, athletic director Don Seeker
Don’t expect Seeker, who also won a state title as baseball coach at Tallmadge, to be gone for good when his contract expires this summer. He’s already getting all his ducks in a row for the fall so it’s an easy transition.
Although Seeker hasn’t been a part of the hiring process for the next athletic director, he will make sure whoever takes the role knows exactly what is expected moving forward.
“In this business, there’s certainly no AD 101,” Seeker said. “I remember when I got this job, reaching out to other people to network and help. I certainly would extend that olive branch to whoever is walking into that office next. … Every district is a little different, but I’ve been in the process the last couple months of getting things organized so schedules and other things for the fall are up to date, even into the winter.
“I want to make sure I leave the next person well off. If they want my help, I’m there. I’m used to answering my phone 24/7, 365 days a year.”
Brad Bournival can be reached by email at bbournival@usatodayco.com and is on X at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Revere athletic director Don Seeker to retire after 5 years at school
Reporting by Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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