By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Gary Cleverdon is stepping down as Cair Paraval Latin School athletic director after 14 years, during which the school has developed into a contender at the local, regional and state level.
Danielle Maxon, a graduate of Shawnee Heights and a former softball player and coach at Washburn University, will become the Lions’ next head of athletics.
Outgoing Cair Paravel athletic director Gary Cleverdon addresses a crowd of well-wishers during a Wednesday reception. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Staff, students, parents and alumni gathered at Cair Paravel Wednesday to recognize Cleverdon for his contributions to the school.
Cair Paravel head of schools Melody Congdon talks about Gary Cleverdon's contributions to the school during a Wednesday reception. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
“Gary wasn’t just an AD who came up with the schedules and things like that,” said Cair Paravel head of schools Melody Congdon. “He would be the biggest cheerleader. He was heavily involved with the kids. He loved the kids and he believed in them and he believed in their sports.
“He has grown and expanded our programs here. This job is all behind the scenes and he’s constantly there, taking out the trash, hauling kids, filling in the gaps. It’s a thankless job, but he has done it.”
“Not every student will become a star athlete, but every student deserves the opportunity to participate, belong, and grow,” Cleverdon said about his role at Cair Paravel. “I just hoped to give every student a chance to wear the school colors, be part of a team, travel together, practice together, and compete together, which creates friendships and memories that can last a lifetime.”
Gary Cleverdon receives a gift from CPLS director of schools Melody Congdon during Wednesday's reception. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
For years, the walls of the Cair Paravel gymnasium were decorated with banners showing the school’s championships won when the Lions competed in a series of private school leagues. It was hard for the general public to gauge the significance of these accomplishments, and therefore they went largely unrecognized by the community.
Cleverdon guided the school through the application for KSHSAA membership in 2020. That allowed Cair Paravel to compete on an even footing with the state’s other member schools, thereby giving its students an opportunity to measure themselves against the best in Kansas in playoff competition.
Since that move, Cair Paravel has seen several of its teams compete at the highest level. The 2024 girls soccer team placed second in the state in the Class 4-1A tournament, while the football team reached the Eight-Man Division I semifinals in 2023.
This winter, the boys basketball team achieved statewide ranking for the first time, climbing as high as seventh in Class 2A. The school’s scholars bowl team placed second in Class 1A Division I in 2021 and 2022.
Most significantly, the Cair Paravel cheer squad has claimed four state championships, in two different classifications, since gaining KSHSAA membership.
“Accomplishments like qualifying for state tournaments, winning championships, or competing at a high level are meaningful, but they were never the ultimate goal,” Cleverdon said. “Those moments brought excitement, pride, and recognition to the school, and they helped build community and school spirit. And they gave students opportunities to experience success that came through commitment, discipline, perseverance, and teamwork.”
Cair Paravel has produced a number of college athletes during Cleverdon’s time at the school. Among them, 2016 graduate Peyton Williams recently played in the WNBA, and 2019 graduate Hannah Mondi née Woolery competed with the Guatemalan national team in a Concacaf Championship qualifying series this past winter.
During Cleverdon’s tenure, the school has added a boys volleyball program as well as girls and boys tennis teams which have already seen players place at the state level. Cleverdon also spearheaded improvements in Cair Paravel’s athletic facilities and resources over the years.
KSHSAA membership opened the door for cooperative agreements that permit Cair Paravel students to join other schools’ teams in sports Cair Paravel does not field a team, including baseball, softball, track and field, cross country, boys golf and boys and girls swimming and diving.
“Every good thing that you see grow, there’s a leader behind it,” said former Cair Paravel football coach Doug Bonura. “Gary has been consistent, faithful. The growth of the athletic department shows he’s done a great job of being an advocate, to (working) in the background. The biggest thing about Gary is he’s just a huge servant.”
