Character, scholarship, and athletic excellence come in that order and progression for Jon Lantzy.
He saw the same values in Christ School teams, further identifying with the emphasis placed on meaningful, lasting relationships here.
Christ School is pleased to announce Jon as its new Athletic Director following a competitive national process which was aided by The Finney Search Group.
Jon will complete his 19th year of coaching lacrosse at Durham Academy (his 34th year overall), before he and his wife, Suzanne, make the move to Arden in time for the 2026-27 academic year. Jon and Suzanne have an adult daughter who just completed an NCAA Division III All-American and national championship career playing field hockey at Middlebury College in Vermont. Katherine is beginning her professional life as a teaching fellow at Culver Academies (Ind.).
Head of School Sean Jenkins P'29 shared, “Jon is a relationship-centered leader who believes in the holistic development of young people. He brings a rare combination of proven leadership, program-building experience, and a deep understanding of collegiate and independent school athletics. In Jon, we have found a leader who will invest deeply in our students and coaches while continuing to elevate one of the premier athletic programs in North Carolina. I am thrilled to welcome Jon, Suzanne, and Katherine to Christ School.”
In an interesting twist, Christ School is scheduled to play its final regular-season lacrosse game at Durham Academy on May 1, a rematch of last year’s N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I championship game, won at the same site by the Greenies, 12-4.
“I have admired Christ School from afar for nearly 20 years involved in the NCISAA, and I’m humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next leader of one of the strongest and most successful athletic programs in North Carolina,” Jon said.
“I want to thank Sean Jenkins, the entire search committee, and the Christ School faculty and staff for their belief in me. Suzanne and I can’t wait to join the Christ School community – an extraordinary group of educators committed to the growth and development of every boy. I’m energized, honored, and ready to get started!”
Jon will be stepping away from all coaching duties to run the Christ School Athletic Department, which offers 19 teams in 11 championship sports, along with the Robert Morgan ’36 Aviation Program (one of only three like it in U.S. high schools), a robust and year-round Outdoor Program, a competitive Robotics team, and Theater. The Greenies have won 10 team state titles in all sports since 2020, making Christ School one of the most successful boys programs in the NCISAA, regardless of classification.
Jon has served as Assistant Athletic Director, Middle School Sports Coordinator, and Middle School Basketball coach at Durham Academy, all of which he balanced with teaching Physical Education and Health.
Jon’s real passion from a sports perspective is lacrosse. He has been the owner and youth director for Fusion Lacrosse, Inc., out of Durham since 2006 and directs the King of Spring Faceoff Classic, which is the nation’s largest regular-season, intersectional boys and girls high school event with 40 teams from eight states and Canada.
Jon began his coaching career at Buffalo’s Canisius College in 1992, the same year he received his undergraduate degree in Urban Planning from Michigan State University. Jon later earned his master’s in Athletic Administration from Ohio University in 2012.