With the fall sports season underway, a familiar face will be missing on the sidelines at St. Thomas Academy. Jack Zahr, 58, the school's longtime athletic director, died on Tuesday after suffering a stroke nearly two weeks ago.

Zahr spent his entire career at St. Thomas Academy, starting there as a health and physical education teacher in 1977 and taking on the athletic director role in 1989. He also coached several sports, including hockey, cross country, soccer and track.

While athletic director, he led the school to nearly 40 state championships, helping to earn the school a reputation as an athletic powerhouse. Over the last 24 years, the all-male private school has been state champions in hockey, basketball, track and field, swimming and diving and alpine skiing.

Zahr is survived by his wife, Jan, and daughters Laura and Becky. Both daughters attended the Convent of the Visitation School, St. Thomas Academy's sister school in Mendota Heights.

Jason Sedlak, defensive coordinator for the varsity football team, has been named acting athletic director.