Athens Academy Athletic Director Kevin Petroski was honored by the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame (AAHOF) with The Claude Williams Award at their annual banquet on Monday, May 23. The award was given “for his hard work in promoting youth and vitality in Athens Athletics.”

In addition, Athens Academy senior Jaila Salley-Barnett won the Billy Henderson Teamwork Scholarship from The Champions Foundation, and alumna Kelly Pentecost ’87 was inducted into the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame for her outstanding achievements as a volleyball player at Athens Academy and the University of Georgia.

Claude Williams was a longtime Athens civic leader and business owner, founding the radio station WRFC as well as Williams and Company Advertising. He served as a director of First American Bank and was one of the organizers of both Georgia National Bank and The National Bank of Georgia. Mr. Williams was active in many charitable organizations including the AAHOF, Athens Rotary Club, The Champions Foundation, and many more.

Kevin Petroski has worked at Athens Academy since 2005, where he serves as the athletic director. He previously worked and coached at Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School, Southwest Georgia Academy, and Thomas Jefferson Academy. Coach Petroski has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree from Concordia University. He was named the Athletic Director of the Year across all classifications by the Georgia Athletic Directors Association in 2020 and the Region 8A Athletic Director of the Year in 2020, 2019, and 2011. Coach Petroski is an board member for the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame and also hosts several educational events for fellow ADs each year.

Congratulations to Coach Petroski, Jaila Salley-Barnett, and Kelly Pentecost on this impressive recognition by the AAHOF and The Champions Foundation!