WHS Athletic Director Steve LaForest to retire at end of school year

By LIAM O’BRIEN
Waltham Times Contributing Writer

After nine years at the helm of Waltham High School’s athletic program, Steve LaForest has announced his plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year.

“It was something I have been kicking around for the past couple of years,” LaForest said. “I just decided over Christmas break that now is the best time to go forward with my retirement.”

The athletic director has enjoyed a storied tenure at WHS. LaForest spent 16 years as a math teacher at the school and served as the varsity baseball coach for nearly a decade before assuming his current position in 2016.

“It has always been about seeing our student athletes succeed,” LaForest said.

It was an all-encompassing role for LaForest, who lives in Waltham. And it is a reflection of the heightened interest level those around the city carry for local athletics.

“It’s almost like a 24/7 job; there is not a lot of downtime,” LaForest said. “Especially when you live in the city that you work in. Everyone is pretty passionate about sports, so no matter where you go in the city, somebody always wants to talk shop.”

The work does not exactly stop there for LaForest, whose relentless energy will prevent him from completely hanging up the spikes and moving on from his involvement in the community.

“I can’t just retire and not do anything,” LaForest said. “I would be stir-crazy after about a week.”

One of LaForest’s favorite memories from his time as athletic director came in 2018 when the boys hockey team captured its second-ever state title. The Hawks knocked off Marshfield at TD Garden that March to seal the championship.

“It was a magical run,” LaForest said. “Just how much the city came out to support the team. Each step of the way, more and more fans came out. I will never forget the game at the Garden. On one side it was just a sea of red. Thousands of fans. On the other side there were just a few green shirts. You realize how great Waltham supports teams that succeed. It was something you don’t get every year, so you learn to appreciate those magic moments.”

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