AHN Names William “Bill” Raycraft as Next Athletic Director

We are pleased to announce the appointment of William “Bill” Raycraft as AHN's next Athletic Director.

Bill brings more than 26 years of experience as an athletic director, educator, coach, and program leader across Catholic, independent, and public school settings. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to building athletic programs that are well-organized, student-centered, developmentally appropriate, and rooted in the holistic formation of young people. His work reflects a belief that strongly aligns with the mission of the Academy of the Holy Names: athletics are not separate from the educational experience, but one of the most powerful ways students grow in character, confidence, discipline, leadership, resilience, and love of others.

For the past seven years, Bill has served as Athletic Director and Director of Human Performance & Wellness at Malden Catholic High School in Massachusetts, where he oversaw a comprehensive athletics program serving students in grades 7–12. During his tenure, he helped expand athletic opportunities across grade levels, strengthened student wellness and performance programming, and supported the successful development and integration of a girls’ athletic program.

He also played a key leadership role in the planning and opening of a new athletic and academic facility, helping to enhance the student-athlete experience while supporting long-term program growth. In addition, Bill led the launch of a middle school athletics program, establishing the philosophy, staffing structures, and developmental pathways designed to support younger students as they build skills, confidence, and school pride.

Prior to his work at Malden Catholic, Bill served for more than a decade as Athletic Director and Director of Activities at Windham High School in New Hampshire, where he helped build the school’s athletic program from the ground up as part of the founding leadership team. Earlier in his career, he held athletic leadership roles at John Stark Regional High School and within the Franklin School District.

Bill also brings extensive coaching experience, including more than two decades as a varsity head football coach, along with assistant coaching roles in girls’ basketball, softball, and rowing. This experience gives him a strong, practical understanding of the daily work, mentorship, and formation that take place within team environments.

His experience is particularly well suited to AHN, which serves both a co-educational middle school and an all-girls high school. Bill is passionate about creating athletic environments that are developmentally appropriate for younger students while also recognizing the powerful opportunity athletics provide for young women to grow as leaders in an all-girls Catholic setting. He sees athletics as a space where students can deepen their faith, discover their voice, compete with purpose, and build lifelong relationships grounded in respect and care.

Bill is widely recognized for building strong, values-driven athletic cultures. His leadership emphasizes the alignment of athletics with a school’s broader mission and the essential role coaches play as mentors and educators. This approach closely reflects the charism of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and AHN's commitment to the full development of the human person.

“Bill is a mission-driven leader who understands that athletics are an extension of the educational experience,” said High School Principal Jeane McNamara. “His ability to build strong culture, develop student leaders, and lead with purpose makes him an exceptional fit for the Academy of the Holy Names. We are excited about the impact he will have on our students, coaches, and community.”

Bill shared his enthusiasm for joining the AHN community:

“I am deeply honored to join the Academy of the Holy Names and become part of a community so clearly grounded in faith, excellence, and the development of young leaders. From my earliest conversations, I could sense the strength of AHN’s mission and the pride people have in this school. I look forward to partnering with students, families, coaches, faculty, and staff to support an athletic culture where character, competition, and genuine care for one another guide everything we do.”

Bill and his wife will relocate to the Tampa area this summer. He will officially begin his role on July 1, 2026, and will be on campus at various times in the months leading up to his start.

Please join me in warmly welcoming Bill to the AHN community. We are excited for the future of Jaguar athletics under his leadership and for the many ways our students will continue to grow through their athletic experience.