Ceres High School has filled its athletic director vacancy with someone who is familiar with the campus.

Julio Madrigal, 37, succeeds John Bussard, who decided to retire following a seven-year stint as the high school’s A.D.

Madrigal formerly worked at CHS as an administrative assistant and campus supervisor.

“I’m excited to be back,” said Madrigal, who was hired after completing three rounds of interviews conducted by Ceres High and Ceres Unified School District administrators and staff. “Ceres High is a great school with a great culture. I spent my first six-and-a-half years there. Ceres Unified School District gave me my start in education. I’m approaching year 10. The district has provided me opportunities to advance. They believe in me.”

Ceres High had just four athletic directors the previous 44 years, including Bussard, Shawna Nunes, Glenn Driskell and Phil de la Porte.

Nunes, Driskell and de la Porte served as the high school’s athletic director for eight, four and 25 years, respectively.

“These opportunities don’t come up often,” Madrigal said. “I was fortunate enough to be selected. It’s definitely a blessing. There were a lot of qualified applicants. I believe in serving others. That’s my leadership style.”

Madrigal will oversee an athletic department with more than 20 sports programs, including football, girls flag football, girls golf, girls tennis, girls volleyball, cross country, water polo, boys basketball, girls basketball, boys soccer, girls basketball, wrestling, baseball, boys golf, boys tennis, boys volleyball, softball, swimming, track and field, stunt cheer and cheerleading.

“I’m up for the challenge,” he said. “This is not a position where you clock in and clock out. You need to be available and supportive. It’s important to be involved.”

“Playing sports is a privilege,” Madrigal added. “We want to make sure the students are modeling the Bulldog way both in the classroom and on the playing surface. We want our kids to be known for being respectful and competing at a high level.”

Madrigal’s job duties include budgeting, hiring coaches, scheduling games and transportation and fundraising.

Ceres High’s football, cross country, girls basketball, boys volleyball, girls volleyball and track and field programs all have new head coaches for the 2026-27 school year.

“I want to make sure every coach feels valued and supported by being visible, available and responsive,” Madrigal said. “It’s about listening. You have to be on the same page. We have to keep students in our forefront.”

Madrigal started working for Ceres Unified School District in 2016.

He was an administrative assistant for discipline and attendance for five years (2018-23) and campus supervisor for 18 months (2016-18) at Ceres High.

He taught social sciences at Central Valley the past three years. Madrigal coached the high school’s boys volleyball team for two seasons (2024-26).

Madrigal was named CUSD’s Administrative Assistant of the Year in 2022-23.

“Ceres High took a chance on me,” Madrigal said. “They saw something in me and allowed me to continue to grow. I’m very grateful. I don’t take anything for granted. Ceres Unified has been home for me for 10 years, and hopefully, it will continue to be that way.”

Madrigal, a 2007 Weston Ranch High School grad, coached boys and girls soccer at his alma mater from 2008-11.

He was voted co-Most Valuable Player of the Valley Oak League during his senior season of boys soccer.

He played soccer for one year at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton.

Madrigal worked as a sports coordinator for the Stanislaus County Police Activities League from 2012-16.

“I’ve always prioritized students first,” he said. “I always do what’s right for kids.”

Madrigal graduated from Stanislaus State in 2023 with a degree in social sciences.

He earned his teaching credential from the Turlock college in 2024.

Madrigal and his family live in Ceres.

Wife Hildelisa has been employed as a special-education teacher at Ceres High since the 2021-22 school year.

Their three children attend Lucas Elementary Dual Language Academy.

“We’ve lived in Ceres for 15 years,” Julio Madrigal said. “It’s a great place to work. Ceres Unified School District does a very good job of supporting people. They want excellence across the board.”