Mike Gaspari, Batavia High School's Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, will retire at the end of this school year, the school announced Thursday.

Gaspari has been the head football coach for 26 years and the school's athletic director for 20 years.

" Mike has provided outstanding leadership throughout his tenure at BHS that will be missed; we are thankful for everything he has done," said Dr. Lisa Hichens, Batavia High School principal.

Dennis Piron, Batavia Football Assistant Varsity Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, will replace Gaspari as the head football coach. Piron began serving on the coaching staff in 1990.

"Mike convinced me to start coaching with him and here we are still," Piron said.

Piron teaches math at the high school and is also the Boys Track Head Coach. Piron was on the staff for all of Batavia's playoff contests and played for North Central College's football team in Naperville.

Batavia High School Associate Principal Chip Hickman will take over as Athletic Director, in addition to his current duties. Hickman oversees the school's co-curricular activities and operations and has been an administrator at the school since 2004.