J. Wilder Adams is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Notre Dame Prep for AZPreps365.com.

Jason Levine went from going to Notre Dame de Namur for college to working at Notre Dame-Belmont and now being the athletic director at Notre Dame Preparatory. 

Coincidence?

Crazily, yes.

“It’s interesting how that worked out.” Levine said. “Maybe it was meant to work out.”

Levine is the new athletic director for Notre Dame Prep. From Belmont, California, Levine is making a transition to a new community and school after leaving Notre Dame-Belmont where he spent 22 years.

He's had an enjoyable transition. 

Before the pandemic, Levine and his wife discussed the possibility of moving out of California to a new place. Those discussions faced an intermission once the pandemic hit.

“I didn’t think it was the right time to leave.” Levine said. “Leaving during the pandemic and dealing with my athletes, my coaches, my family. I didn’t think that was the right thing to do.”

Once the society began to transition back to normalcy in fall 2021, Levine and his family began looking once again. Levine sent out multiple athletic director applications in California, Colorado, Nevada, and Arizona.

After having a great interview at Notre Dame Prep, he decided to take the job.

There was a catch.

He wasn’t going to immediately be an athletic director at Notre Dame Prep.

Levine accepted a role as the dean.

“They offered me a dean position because they needed an athletic director here last February and I wasn’t going to leave my school early.” Levine said. 

Levine could’ve potentially waited for another athletic director position, but he believed it was the best opportunity for the timing of his move.

“We didn’t want to make that transition and I didn’t want to be left with not a lot of options because I didn’t know how things were going to play out.” Levine said.

His opportunity came quickly, though, as the previous athletic director, Monica Barrett, who was hired in February 2022, decided not to return.

After Levine’s first week as a dean, the role he desired the whole time became availabl -- and he got it. 

“The president of the school came into my office and we had a quick meeting, and she said, ‘Jason we would like to move you into athletics.”’ Levine said.

To say Levine’s transition appeared steep would be an understatement.

He was in a new school, already performing his second role, and was joining an entirely new athletic administration starting with Christopher Guyll and Ann Williams.  

Guyll is the assistant athletic director of boys sports. He was finishing up a role as the athletic director of BASIS the first couple weeks of the school year.

Williams is the assistant athletic director of girls sports. She's a former teacher who played high school sports.

Despite many new faces, the transition has been smooth.

“It's incredible (working with Levine).” Guyll said. “He's given (Williams) and I the room and opportunity to lead our respective groups while still being heavily involved and an ultimate resource to everyone.”

Levine reciprocates Guyll’s feelings of working with his athletic administration colleagues.

“It’s only been two months but we’re making things hum over here.” Levine said.

On top of leaving a strong impression in the athletic administration, Notre Dame Prep head football coach George Prelock has appreciated Levine’s willingness to work with him.

“Mr. Levine has done a great job in terms of always communicating with me and being open and asking questions,” Prelock said. 

Levine may have just moved to a new state after growing up, attending college, and working in Northern California, but Notre Dame Prep is beginning to feel more like home everyday.

“The drive to school feels like I’ve done it a long time.” Levine said.