Jean Ashen has seen many athletes come through North Salinas in her 30-plus years as athletic director, and has affected each and every one of them in at least some small way. Perhaps the most respected athletic director in Salinas history, Ashen won the Athletic Director of the Year award from California State Athletic Directors’ Association in 2018. A former three-sport athlete at North Salinas High, Ashen earned a degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She returned to her alma mater in 1992 to teach and work as athletic director.