The Los Alamitos Unified School District has honored Rob Wigod as its 2019 Hero of the Heart for his service to students and the district. Wigod, Commissioner of Athletics for the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section, is a former teacher and coach for Los Alamitos High School and has volunteered in many fundraising and service capacities.
School Board President Diana Hill praised Wigod as “a positive ambassador for youth who has been there district wide for every school.” Even as CIF Commissioner, Hill said, Wigod has demonstrated that “he believes all kids need to be connected to school.”
As a fund raiser, Wigod has “brought in thousands of dollars” through events such as Taste of Los Al, and most recently, he was a leader of the citizen’s group that campaigned for the recent passage of the Measure G school bond that will be used for construction of a new high school classroom building and other district projects.
District Superintendent Dr. Sherry Kropp said that “in a district where we say, ‘All in all the time,’ he is everywhere all the time advocating for and supporting young people. He is all about fairness, access, and equity for all kids.”
Even on rough days, Kropp said, Wigod wears “that perfect smile and ever-present optimism.”
Wigod, whose two daughters graduated from Los Alamitos High, said he was blown away to be honored by the district. “A lot has been said about what I’ve done,” he said, “but it was all only in response to what this district has done and how great it has been to me and my family. I just can’t say enough about what great hands our young people are in.”