Adi Taraska named VASJ athletic director

Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School principal David Csank announced July 15 that Adi Taraska has been named VASJ athletic director.

“We are excited for Adi to take on this new role within VASJ,” Csank said. “She has been a wonderful asset to our student-athletes and we are confident she will continue to lead and grow our Athletic Department.”

Taraska joined VASJ in July 2019 as associate athletic director. She previously served as assistant director of athletics at Lake Catholic High School from 2017 to 2019 and an assistant track and field, strength and conditioning coach at Cardinal Stritch University from 2015 to 2017. An NCAA Division I student-athlete in track and field at Xavier University, Taraska earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Xavier University in 2014 and a master’s degree in business administration from Cardinal Stritch University in 2017. 

“This next step continues to fuel my passion for impacting young people through athletics,” Taraska said. “I am all about the growth and development of young women and men. Simply put, being involved as a student-athlete allows for life skills to be cultivated on the court, field or track. Learning about leadership and teamwork only prepares young people for the future. My goal is to help guide and support not only student-athletes but the Viking Village as a whole.”

Taraska succeeds Elvis Grbac ’88, who was named VASJ athletic director in April 2019. Grbac will continue to serve as head football coach and director of the Marianist Urban Students Program (MUSP). He will also remain involved in the Athletic Department as associate athletic director.

“I’m excited about having Adi Taraska as the athletic director at VASJ,” Grbac said. “She is extremely qualified and I know the athletic program will be heading in the right direction. I will be continuing on but in a different capacity as associate athletic director because of my role with the MUSP program, where I would like to spend a little more time and I think my students need a little more of my attention. Our athletic program is in great hands with Adi.”