‘Going through the process, it just felt right in the end’ — Rhoads returns home as Lakota West athletic director

Now, after building a reputation as one of Southwest Ohio’s respected athletic administrators, he’s returning to lead it. Lakota Local Schools announced Tuesday that Rhoads, a 2001 Lakota West graduate, has been named the school’s next athletic ...

LIBERTY TWP. — Austin Rhoads never truly left Lakota West. The hallways, the fields, the expectations — all of it remained part of who he was.

Now, after building a reputation as one of Southwest Ohio’s respected athletic administrators, he’s returning to lead it. Lakota Local Schools announced Tuesday that Rhoads, a 2001 Lakota West graduate, has been named the school’s next athletic director. Pending board approval on April 27, he will begin the role Aug.

1 ahead of the 2026-27 school year. Rhoads returns after serving as athletic director at Springboro since 2016, bringing more than 20 years of experience in education and athletics. “I am excited and honored to return home to Lakota West and give back to a school and community that has meant so much to me,” Rhoads said.