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Ex-CPS exec Calvin Davis settling in at Proviso West

Calvin Davis didn’t need long to get back in the game.

Davis left the Chicago Public Schools in April after a 30-year run that included stints as a teacher, coach and administrator. For 10 of those years, he was the head of CPS sports.

He’s running another sports program now after being hired as the assistant principal for athletics and activities at Proviso West.

“At first, when I left CPS I didn’t really know if I wanted to work full-time,” Davis said. “Then I heard about positions that were open.”

That list included athletic director jobs at Crete-Monee and Thornwood as well as Proviso West. He looked into all three, Proviso West was the first to make an offer and now Davis is settling into his new position in Hillside.

He takes charge of an athletic program that plays in one of the state’s premier conferences, the West Suburban Silver. The Panthers also host one of Illinois’ iconic prep events, the 32-team Proviso West Holiday Tournament.

He’s glad to be part of the tourney, which he’s been watching for years as a visiting administrator.

“I’m working very closely with [tourney director] Joe Spagnolo,” Davis said. “Things are going well. … I’m basically in a position now, I certainly wouldn’t try to change anything with that.”

Davis also likes the direction being taken by Proviso West’s football team, which has been holding its own and then some in one of the state’s best leagues.

“I’ve been very complimentary to [coach] Famous Hulbert,” Davis said. ”I made sure he knows I’m going to really support what he’s trying to do here.”

Though he is up front about his support of the school’s better-known programs and events, Davis doesn’t plan to overlook the other teams and athletes on his watch.

“I want to enhance scholarship opportunities,” he said. “I think there is some talent here. I want to make sure the athletic department is focused on the academic side to make sure all athletes qualify [for college].”

This being an era of uncertain finances for schools, Davis also wants to work on that.

“I’d like to do some marketing, generate some revenue for the program,” he said.

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