The athletic director at St. Anthony High School has been recognized by the CIF Southern Section as part of its MVP AD Inaugural Class for this school year — a distinction reserved for only 43 athletic directors selected from 570 schools.

The MVP AD program offers professional growth and networking opportunities for athletic directors, says a recent CIF press release. To qualify for the honor, athletic directors must complete a series of workshops and conferences, and score top grades on the CIF Southern exam.

Brian Walsh, the longest-tenured athletic director at the private school in Long Beach, has led the school’s athletic program to 25 League Champions and seven CIF Southern Section team and individual championships.

On Sept. 29, the Long Beach Post also awarded Walsh the Top 40 Under 40 Honors, an honor for young people working for the betterment of the city.