Three past wrestling coaches among 12 in first class of inductees into Hall of Fame for high school athletic administrators
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by NIAAA
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (November 9, 2009) - Twelve legendary high school athletic directors will be inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame class of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) December 15 in Dallas, Texas, during banquet festivities at the 40th annual National Athletic Directors Conference co-sponsored by the NIAAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
This year's conference will be held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, which is located in Grapevine, Texas, between Dallas and Fort Worth and near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
The first NIAAA Hall of Fame class, which collectively spans more than 350 years of service, includes Alice Barron, Lakewood, Colorado; Lindy Callahan, Gulfport, Mississippi; Rob Conklin, Denver, Colorado; Evan Excell, South Jordan, Utah; Roland Inskeep, CMAA, Carmel, Indiana; Dave Martens, Fairport, New York; Jerry McGee, Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Ted Miller, CAA, Show Low, Arizona; Lucia Norwood, CMAA, Stone Mountain, Georgia; Jim Teff, CMAA, Lodi, Wisconsin; Jim Watkins, CMAA, Louisville, Kentucky; and the late John Youngblood, Centreville, Virginia.
Following are biographical sketches of the three members of the inaugural NIAAA Hall of Fame class who were also wrestling coaches:
Rob Conklin, Colorado
Rob Conklin was a giant in the field of athletic administration - at the local, state and national levels during his 33-year professional career in the state of Colorado.
Conklin's impact on Colorado athletics began as a student at Denver South High School, winning both a state wrestling and a state gymnastics championship.
After graduating from the University of Denver in 1957, Conklin began an involvement with the Denver Public Schools that continued for more than 50 years.
From 1960 to 1966, he coached wrestling, football, cross country and track at Denver South High School. He then became vice principal and athletic director for the school from 1966 to 1971. Conklin was appointed director of athletics and student activities for the Denver Public Schools, covering 10 high schools, 18 middle schools and 80 elementary schools. He served in that position for 17 years before being assigned to serve as administrative assistant to the superintendent for one year.
After retiring in 1990, Conklin remained active in the school district for a number of years as the hearing officer for expulsions.
At the state level, Conklin was president of the Colorado High School Activities Association in 1985-86 and served on the CHSAA Executive Committee for nine years. He also was chair of the CHSAA State Wrestling Committee, director of numerous CHSAA state tournaments and president of the Colorado High School Athletic Directors Association.
Although his contributions at the local and state levels were outstanding, his national impact was perhaps even more significant. Conklin served on the organizing committee that developed the NIAAA in 1977 and served as the NIAAA's first president for two years from 1977 to 1979. During his presidency, Conklin presided over the refinement of the NIAAA Constitution and Bylaws.
In 2002, Conklin was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame. He also has been inducted into the Denver Public Schools Athletic League Hall of Fame and the Denver Prep League Coaches Hall of Fame. In 1986, Conklin was honored with the NIAAA Award of Merit.
Jim Teff, CMAA, Wisconsin
Jim Teff, CMAA, retired from South Milwaukee (Wisconsin) High School in 2001 after an outstanding 34-year career as a teacher, coach, equipment manager and athletic director.
Teff coached football, wrestling and track at South Milwaukee from 1967 to 1975. He added the duties of athletic director and equipment manager in 1973 and served in those positions for 28 years until his retirement. Among his accomplishments, Teff developed the Athletic Recognition Award for coaches and staff who contributed significantly to South Milwaukee athletics.
At the state level, Teff has been a member of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association for 35 years and served on its Executive Board for 21 years. He was a presenter and presider at the annual WADA workshop and he was publisher and editor of the WADA newsletter for more than 20 years. Within the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, Teff served on its Sports Advisory Committee from 1986 to 1990 and was committee chair for two years.
Teff was a charter member of the NIAAA and has given a lifetime of service to the organization. He served on the initial Publications Committee that was responsible for the Interscholastic Athletic Administration magazine and served 11 years in that capacity. He also was a member of the Game Plan Subcommittee that published the Athletic Administrators Reference Manual.
In 1988, Teff was elected to the NIAAA Board of Directors and served as president in 1990. He has been a speaker numerous times at the annual National Athletic Directors Conference.
Most recently, Teff has been a huge contributor as program director for the NIAAA Leadership Training Program, which now consists of 32 courses and a National Faculty of more than 100 athletic administrators nationwide.
Teff also has been active with the NFHS, where he served on the Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Committee and was a member of the NFHS Coaches' Quarterly and NFHS Officials' Quarterly Publications Committees during the magazines' first year of publication in 1996-97.
Among his awards, Teff was named Wisconsin athletic director of the year for District 7. Teff's national awards include the NFHS Citation in 1985, the NIAAA State Award of Merit in 1988, the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award in 1995 and the NIAAA Award of Merit in 1998.
John Youngblood, Virginia
During his 35 years as a high school coach and administrator, it would be difficult to find anyone who has contributed more to interscholastic athletics students than the late John Youngblood.
A Pennsylvania native, Youngblood retired at the end of 1986 after four years as supervisor of athletics for the Arlington (Virginia) Public Schools. Prior to that stint, he served 27 years at Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, the last 19 as director of athletics.
Youngblood coached softball, football, wrestling and track before assuming administrative duties in 1964. In six years as football coach, he won three Northern Virginia championships and one state title. Among his players were former NFL stars Jake Scott of Miami and John Leypoldt of Buffalo.
However, it was the arena of athletic administration where Youngblood will be remembered most. At the state level, Youngblood was the founding father and first president of the Virginia High School Athletic Directors Association, as well as similar organizations in Maryland and West Virginia. He was named Virginia's athletic director of the year in 1975-76 and was inducted into the Arlington Sports Hall of Fame in 1977. He served a term as secretary-treasurer of the Northern Virginia Athletic Directors, Administrators and Coaches Association in 1976 and was president from 1987 to 1991.
At the national level, Youngblood was a member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) organizing committee that developed the NIAAA bylaws and constitution. He was NIAAA president and has served on the board of directors and the Resolution Committee.
In 1974, Youngblood received the NFHS Citation for his contributions to interscholastic athletics and the NIAAA Award of Merit in 1985. In 1988, Youngblood was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame.
Youngblood has made other notable national contributions. He testified on behalf of the NFHS at congressional hearings, most notably the U.S. Senate Committee hearings on the Amateur Athletic Act of 1978 and securing co-sponsors of the joint congressional resolution making National High School Activities Week public law.
Youngblood passed away in August 2000.
Biographical sketches of the other members of the inaugural NIAAA Hall of Fame class
Alice Barron, Colorado
Alice Barron was one of the first female leaders in high school athletic administration during her 23 years with the Jefferson County R-1 Schools in Golden, Colorado.
After 10 years as a high school coach in Texas and Colorado, Barron joined the Jefferson County Schools in 1967. She held a variety of positions for five years before becoming coordinator of athletics and served in that position until her retirement in 1990. She was responsible for presenting the first girls athletic budget to the Jefferson County Board of Education, which was adopted in 1968.
Barron built the Jefferson County girls program from no sports in 1967 to 11 in 1989 with a $1 million budget. From 1975 to 1989, Jefferson County girls programs won 31 of 95 (32 percent) Class 3A and 4A state championships.
Barron's passion for athletics began in high school and college. After playing basketball at Georgetown (Texas) High School, where she earned 16 letters in four sports, she received a full scholarship to Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, something unheard of in those days.
In four years at Wayland, her basketball teams won 104 consecutive games and four national AAU championships. She was a member of the U.S. women's basketball team that won the World Tournament in Brazil in 1957 and was a first-team AAU All-American.
Barron was the first female to serve on the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Board of Control. In addition, she directed or co-directed 36 CHSAA state tournaments, including 15 basketball championships, during a 22-year period. She served 10 years on the executive board of the Colorado Athletic Directors Association, which included a term as president.
Nationally, she served on the NIAAA Membership Committee for five years and served a four-year term on the NIAAA Board of Directors in the late 1980s.
Among her numerous honors, Barron was the first female administrator inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame in 1992. She is a member of seven other halls of fame, including the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports, Colorado High School Coaches Association, Wayland University and the CHSAA. She received the NFHS Citation in 1987.
Lindy Callahan, Mississippi
Perhaps no one has given to young people and promoted high school athletics in Mississippi more than Lindy Callahan during his 39-year career in the Gulfport, Mississippi schools.
After graduating from the University of Mississippi in 1953, Callahan joined the coaching staff at Gulfport High School, where he assisted in football, basketball and baseball for two years. From 1955 to 1966, Callahan was head football coach and athletic director, and from 1966 to his retirement in 1992, he served as athletic director for the Gulfport School System.
During his days of coaching, Callahan's football teams captured the Big 8 and mythical state championships in 1963, 1964 and 1965. His 1962 baseball team was the South Mississippi state champion. His football teams won 42 consecutive Big 8 Conference games from 1962 to 1965. He was named Big 8 coach of the year in 1964 and Mississippi Broadcasters coach of the year in 1962.
Callahan coached in the Mississippi high school all-star football game in 1957 and 1961. He was responsible for the establishment of the Mississippi-Alabama high school "Battle of the Best" game played annually between outstanding seniors in each state. Callahan was co-founder and director of the Gulf Coast Coaching Clinic in 1964, which is now in its 46th year of existence.
Callahan served as president of the Mississippi Association of Coaches, the Mississippi Athletic Directors Association and the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA).
In 1992, Callahan was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame. Other honors include the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame, Distinguished American Award from the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award and the NFHS Citation. Earlier this year, Callahan was inducted into the University of Mississippi Athletic Hall of Fame.
Since his retirement in 1992, Callahan has lectured in the state and nationally on athletic administration and coaching, served as a part-time faculty member at the University of Southern Mississippi and been a supervisor for the MHSAA in the state's southern districts.
Evan Excell, Utah
Evan Excell retired last year after a stellar 42-year career in education, culminated by 14 years as executive director of the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA).
Prior to joining the UHSAA in 1994, Excell was a teacher, coach and athletic director for 28 years in five Utah high schools. He began his career at Bryce Valley High School and subsequently coached at Escalante, Sunnyside East Carbon and Price Carbon High Schools. He finished his teaching and coaching career with 16 years at Ben Lomond High School in Ogden, where he also served as athletic director.
During his coaching career, Excell led teams to state titles in boys basketball and girls track. During his stint as athletic director at Ben Lomond, the Scots won nine state championships and had 12 second-place finishes in various sports.
Excell is credited with restoring financial stability to the UHSAA. Under his direction, the UHSAA implemented a small increase in ticket prices and worked aggressively to find new corporate sponsors. Six years ago, the association was able to move into a new $1.2 million building and now boasts more than $1 million in its endowment fund.
Excell also initiated the consolidation of many state championship events from several events for each class into one all-encompassing championship tournament. In effect, this reduced operating expenses from renting and staffing facilities, as well as travel for coaches, officials and players.
During his years as a coach and athletic director, Excell was president of the Utah High School Basketball Coaches Association and the Utah Interscholastic Activities Administrators Association (UIAAA). He received the Distinguished Service Award in 1993-94 from the UHSAA, and in 2001, he was presented the Meritorious Service Award by the UIAAA.
Excell was a member of the NFHS Board of Directors from 1998 to 2002, and he also served on the NFHS Annual Meeting Advisory Committee, NFHS Football Rules Committee and NFHS Appeals Board. Other national involvements include the Education Committee of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Excell received an NFHS Citation in 2008 and was inducted into the Utah Summer Games Hall of Honor the same year. Since his retirement, Excell has been inducted into the UHSAA Circle of Fame and the UIAAA Hall of Fame.
Roland Inskeep, CMAA, Indiana
One of the top high school athletic administrators both in the Hoosier State and the nation, the now-retired Roland Inskeep dedicated 25 years of his life as athletic director of North Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The 21-year NIAAA member was a national conference workshop speaker in 1992 and a workshop moderator in 1993. He also has contributed several articles to both Interscholastic Athletic Administration and the NFHS News, and has spoken at numerous conferences and gatherings.
Within his home state of Indiana, Inskeep has been a 41-year member of the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (IIAAA), during which time he served 23 years on the IIAAA Board of Directors. He culminated his service with the association with two years as vice president and one year as president.
A five-year member of the IHSAA Girls Sports Advisory Committee, Inskeep served as host and meet director when North Central High School hosted 90 state championship tournaments in football, tennis, track and gymnastics. He also hosted 370 IHSAA sectional, regional and semi-state championships.
Inskeep's exemplary work in high school athletics brought him significant statewide recognition in 1991, when Indiana Governor Evan Bayh presented him with the "Sagamore of the Wabash," the highest civilian award conferred in the state.
Inskeep was coordinator of the 15-school Marion (Indiana) County Athletic Association for three years, coordinating 17 tournaments a year. He also researched records of Marion County athletics and created a booklet of records, entries, rules and calendar dates for athletic administrators.
In 1988, Inskeep earned his Certified Athletic Administrator designation as one of 100 athletic administrators who became charter members of the NIAAA certification program. Continuing in that trailblazing certification mode, Inskeep was a charter member of the Certified Master Athletic Administrator class in 2000. In 2001, Inskeep worked with IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis) to get LTC courses to apply for credit toward a master's degree. Inskeep wrote the graduate credit curriculums, and in 2007, 23 LTC courses could be utilized for college credit.
Other awards include the National Council of Secondary School Athletic Directors (NCSSAD) National Athletic Administrator of the Year in 1991, NIAAA Distinguished Service Award in 1991, NFHS Citation in 2002 and the NIAAA Thomas E. Frederick Award of Excellence in 2008.
Dave Martens, New York
Now in his 51st year in interscholastic athletics, Dave Martens is a former longtime New York high school coach and athletic administrator and 1984 president of the NIAAA.
Martens was a three-year All-Scholastic baseball player at Arlington (Massachusetts) High School. He subsequently played both baseball and ice hockey at Springfield (Massachusetts) College, where he was named All-New England in baseball and participated in the 1955 College World Series.
After playing for the Milwaukee Braves organization in 1958, Martens began his career in high school education, coaching and athletic administration at Rushford (New York) Central School. Six years later, he moved to Brockport (New York) Central School, and from 1973 to 1991, he was with Fairport (New York) Central School. Along the way, he coached both Rushford Central School and Brockport Central School to sectional basketball championships.
A longtime leader in athletic administration, Martens was president and co-founder of the New York State Athletic Administrators Association (NYSAAA), founded the NIAAA National Emergency Network in 1994 and has directed the program for 15 years, and has been the NYSAAA liaison to the NIAAA since 1981.
Throughout his career, Martens has been a staunch advocate for healthy lifestyles. From 1986 to 1998, he was president and founder of Operation Offense, Inc., an organization designed to keep student-athletes chemical-free, and he received a special commendation for his efforts in this area from the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration in 1991. That same year, he received a Community Service Award from the Eastman Kodak Company.
Among his statewide recognitions, Martens was chosen New York State athletic director of the year in both 1981 and 1998. At the national level, Martens received an NIAAA Distinguished Service Award in 1986, an NIAAA New York State Award of Merit in 1990, an NFHS Citation in 2004 and the NIAAA Award of Merit in 2007. Martens was inducted into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999, and into the Rochester Sports Legends/Frontier Field Walk of Fame in 2002.
Jerry McGee, North Carolina
From his days as a high school coach to his many years as a director of athletic programs at the local, state and national levels, Jerry McGee, CAA, has devoted his life to improving athletic experiences for high school student-athletes. McGee started his illustrious career at John Holmes High School in Edenton, North Carolina, where he was football coach and athletic director. He had two undefeated seasons as football coach and two regional championships. McGee then coached at the collegiate level before returning to the high school ranks in 1976.
McGee continued his dual role of football coach and athletic director at Northeastern High School in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, from 1976 to 1981 before devoting his total energies to athletic administration. In 1981, McGee was appointed director of athletics and physical education for the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public School System and served in that position for 16 years. During his tenure at Elizabeth City-Pasquotank, McGee added more duties to his plate as executive director of the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association and has served in that role since 1991.
Perhaps his greatest contribution to athletic administration came in 2002 when McGee started the National Executive Directors Council (NEDC). As founder and chairman of the NEDC, McGee's vision was to bring together leaders of athletic directors groups from across the country, and the NEDC, through McGee's leadership, has been transformed into a thriving national organization.
McGee has been the North Carolina liaison to the NIAAA since 1991 and served on the NIAAA Certification Committee. He also has given countless hours to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), serving on the NCHSAA Board of Directors since 1991 as well as the NCHSAA Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
Among his numerous honors, McGee received the NFHS Citation in 1997, the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award in 1998, the NIAAA Thomas E. Frederick Award of Excellence in 2003 and the NFHS Award of Merit in 2007. He was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame in 2008, the North Carolina Athletic Directors Hall of Fame in 1998, the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in 1999 and the National Council of Secondary School Athletic Directors (NCSSAD) Hall of Fame in 2007. McGee also was presented "The Order of the Long Leaf Pine" - the highest award for a North Carolina civilian - by the governor of North Carolina.
Ted Miller, CAA, Arizona
Ted Miller, CAA, retired in 2006 after 44 years in secondary education as a teacher, coach, vice principal and athletic director.
After graduating from Arizona State University in 1962, Miller spent the first seven years as a teacher and coach in Riverside, California, before returning to Arizona. Miller was a teacher, coach, vice principal and athletic director at Mohave High School in Bullhead City, Arizona, for 20 years, followed by a 15-year stint as athletic director at Tolleson (Arizona) High School. Miller finished his career with two years as vice principal and athletic director at Cactus High School in Peoria, Arizona.
Miller served on the NIAAA Board of Directors and was president of the NIAAA in 2002. He was state liaison to the NIAAA for 13 years and was the Section VII chairperson for three years. Miller also served six years on the NIAAA Credentials Committee.
In 1997, Miller received the NIAAA State Award of Merit, and was presented the Distinguished Service Award in 1998. He also received the NFHS Citation in 2001.
At the state level, Miller was an Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (AIAAA) Executive Board representative. He was president-elect of the AIAAA in 1994-95, and president in 1995-96. Miller has served on the AIAAA State Planning Committee for 20 years and was a state delegate to the national convention numerous times. Miller also served on the advisory committee of the Governor's Task Force on Drugs.
At the local level, Miller formerly was president of the West Valley Region 4-A Conference, and has been the secretary/treasurer of both the A-West and B-West Conferences. He also formerly served as chairperson of the North Central Evaluating Committee.
A strong proponent of chemical-free lifestyles, Miller organized Community Action Against Drug Abuse and Students for a Drug-Free High School in Bullhead City, Arizona, and developed three in-service narcotics workshops for teachers and staff at Mohave High School. He was a member of the Maricopa County Teens Substance Abuse Task Force and a sponsor of the Tolleson Union High School Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) that was named Arizona Chapter of the year in 1996-97.
Lucia Norwood, CMAA, Georgia
An influential leader in the world of high school athletics, Lucia Norwood, CMAA, has extensive experience as a coach, teacher and athletic administrator throughout her years of service to high school students and athletic programs in Georgia.
Norwood retired from her duties as athletic coordinator of the DeKalb County (Georgia) School System in 2003 after an exemplary 38-year career. She has made tremendous contributions at the local, state and national levels. After winning five state championships as a gymnastics coach, Norwood concentrated on administrative duties. As the athletic coordinator in the DeKalb School System, she implemented a system-wide Sports Safety Committee and a sports safety training course, which trained 700 teachers and coaches annually to help ensure student safety in 17 high schools and 12 middle schools. Locally, she has directed numerous large track meets as the county athletic director.
At the state level, Norwood has served on the GADA Board of Directors since 1991 and was president in 1994, the first woman in history to serve in that position. Since 1995, Norwood has been GADA executive director. For the past 14 years, Norwood has been a member of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Executive Committee and serves as chair of the Gymnastics and Sportsmanship Subcommittees.
Norwood implemented the Georgia State Girls Gymnastics Championships in 1969 and has been the state meet administrator since that time. She also initiated the state competitive cheerleading championships in 1992 and established the Cheerleading Judges Association a year later. From 1992 to 1995, Norwood was the state rules interpreter for cheerleading. In addition, Norwood also was instrumental in starting fast-pitch softball championships in Georgia in 1992.
A highly involved member of the NIAAA for almost 25 years, Norwood served on its Board of Directors from 1998 to 2001. She received the NIAAA State Award of Merit in both 1994 and 1996, the NFHS Citation in 2002 and the NIAAA Thomas E. Frederick Award of Excellence in 2006. She also served on the NIAAA Strategic Planning Committee.
Norwood has also contributed to gymnastics at the national level, serving a term on the NFHS Girls Gymnastics Rules Committee.
Jim Watkins, CMAA, Kentucky
Jim Watkins, CMAA, retired in 2005 after 16 years with the Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, and 38 years overall as a teacher, coach, athletic director and coordinator of athletics. Since his retirement four years ago, Watkins has served as executive director of the Kentucky High School Athletic Directors Association.
Watkins' entire 38-year career was spent in Louisville. He was a teacher and coach at DeSales High School and Valley High School for seven years before becoming athletic director at Southern High School in 1974. After 15 years at Southern, Watkins served seven years as coordinator of athletics for the Jefferson County schools and nine years as director of academics/activities/athletics.
Watkins was a charter member of the Kentucky High School Athletic Directors Association (KHSADA) in 1975 and authored the organization's constitution and bylaws. For 13 years, he edited the KHSADA newsletter, and he spent 26 years as director of the state athletic directors conference. His service extended to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) as well, coordinating the KHSAA Football Championships for 24 years.
Watkins was a charter member of the NIAAA and has attended the National Athletic Directors Conference since 1975. He was a member of the NIAAA Publications Committee for 10 years, including eight years as chair. He was elected to the NIAAA Board of Directors in 1992 and served as president in 1996. Since 2005, Watkins has been course review coordinator for the NIAAA Leadership Training Program.
From 1984 to 1987, Watkins served on the Athletic Directors Advisory Committee and was the committee member responsible for developing "The Case for High School Activities" brochure. In addition, Watkins served on the NFHS Strategic Planning Committee in 1995, and he was a member of the NFHS Coaches' Quarterly and NFHS Officials' Quarterly Publications Committees during the magazines' first year of publication in 1996-97.
In 1983, Watkins was recognized as Kentucky athletic director of the year. Other awards include the NFHS Citation in 1985, the NIAAA State Award of Merit in 1990, the NIAAA Thomas E. Frederick Award of Excellence in 1990 and the NIAAA Award of Merit in 1999. He was inducted into the KHSAA Hall of Fame in 2004.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION (NIAAA): The NIAAA is the largest national organization for high school athletic administrators with more than 7,000 individual members. The NIAAA consists of athletic director organizations in the 50 states plus the District of Columbia and provides an efficient system for exchange of ideas between the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and state athletic administrators organizations as well as individual athletic administrators. The NIAAA, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, strives to preserve the educational nature of interscholastic athletics and the place of these programs in the curricula of schools. The NIAAA is a full and equal partner with the NFHS.
About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and fine arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and fine arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,000 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.5 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; produces publications for high school coaches, officials and athletic directors; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, spirit coaches, speech and debate coaches and music adjudicators; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS Web site at www.nfhs.org.
This year's conference will be held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, which is located in Grapevine, Texas, between Dallas and Fort Worth and near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
The first NIAAA Hall of Fame class, which collectively spans more than 350 years of service, includes Alice Barron, Lakewood, Colorado; Lindy Callahan, Gulfport, Mississippi; Rob Conklin, Denver, Colorado; Evan Excell, South Jordan, Utah; Roland Inskeep, CMAA, Carmel, Indiana; Dave Martens, Fairport, New York; Jerry McGee, Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Ted Miller, CAA, Show Low, Arizona; Lucia Norwood, CMAA, Stone Mountain, Georgia; Jim Teff, CMAA, Lodi, Wisconsin; Jim Watkins, CMAA, Louisville, Kentucky; and the late John Youngblood, Centreville, Virginia.
Following are biographical sketches of the three members of the inaugural NIAAA Hall of Fame class who were also wrestling coaches:
Rob Conklin, Colorado
Rob Conklin was a giant in the field of athletic administration - at the local, state and national levels during his 33-year professional career in the state of Colorado.
Conklin's impact on Colorado athletics began as a student at Denver South High School, winning both a state wrestling and a state gymnastics championship.
After graduating from the University of Denver in 1957, Conklin began an involvement with the Denver Public Schools that continued for more than 50 years.
From 1960 to 1966, he coached wrestling, football, cross country and track at Denver South High School. He then became vice principal and athletic director for the school from 1966 to 1971. Conklin was appointed director of athletics and student activities for the Denver Public Schools, covering 10 high schools, 18 middle schools and 80 elementary schools. He served in that position for 17 years before being assigned to serve as administrative assistant to the superintendent for one year.
After retiring in 1990, Conklin remained active in the school district for a number of years as the hearing officer for expulsions.
At the state level, Conklin was president of the Colorado High School Activities Association in 1985-86 and served on the CHSAA Executive Committee for nine years. He also was chair of the CHSAA State Wrestling Committee, director of numerous CHSAA state tournaments and president of the Colorado High School Athletic Directors Association.
Although his contributions at the local and state levels were outstanding, his national impact was perhaps even more significant. Conklin served on the organizing committee that developed the NIAAA in 1977 and served as the NIAAA's first president for two years from 1977 to 1979. During his presidency, Conklin presided over the refinement of the NIAAA Constitution and Bylaws.
In 2002, Conklin was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame. He also has been inducted into the Denver Public Schools Athletic League Hall of Fame and the Denver Prep League Coaches Hall of Fame. In 1986, Conklin was honored with the NIAAA Award of Merit.
Jim Teff, CMAA, Wisconsin
Jim Teff, CMAA, retired from South Milwaukee (Wisconsin) High School in 2001 after an outstanding 34-year career as a teacher, coach, equipment manager and athletic director.
Teff coached football, wrestling and track at South Milwaukee from 1967 to 1975. He added the duties of athletic director and equipment manager in 1973 and served in those positions for 28 years until his retirement. Among his accomplishments, Teff developed the Athletic Recognition Award for coaches and staff who contributed significantly to South Milwaukee athletics.
At the state level, Teff has been a member of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association for 35 years and served on its Executive Board for 21 years. He was a presenter and presider at the annual WADA workshop and he was publisher and editor of the WADA newsletter for more than 20 years. Within the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, Teff served on its Sports Advisory Committee from 1986 to 1990 and was committee chair for two years.
Teff was a charter member of the NIAAA and has given a lifetime of service to the organization. He served on the initial Publications Committee that was responsible for the Interscholastic Athletic Administration magazine and served 11 years in that capacity. He also was a member of the Game Plan Subcommittee that published the Athletic Administrators Reference Manual.
In 1988, Teff was elected to the NIAAA Board of Directors and served as president in 1990. He has been a speaker numerous times at the annual National Athletic Directors Conference.
Most recently, Teff has been a huge contributor as program director for the NIAAA Leadership Training Program, which now consists of 32 courses and a National Faculty of more than 100 athletic administrators nationwide.
Teff also has been active with the NFHS, where he served on the Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Committee and was a member of the NFHS Coaches' Quarterly and NFHS Officials' Quarterly Publications Committees during the magazines' first year of publication in 1996-97.
Among his awards, Teff was named Wisconsin athletic director of the year for District 7. Teff's national awards include the NFHS Citation in 1985, the NIAAA State Award of Merit in 1988, the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award in 1995 and the NIAAA Award of Merit in 1998.
John Youngblood, Virginia
During his 35 years as a high school coach and administrator, it would be difficult to find anyone who has contributed more to interscholastic athletics students than the late John Youngblood.
A Pennsylvania native, Youngblood retired at the end of 1986 after four years as supervisor of athletics for the Arlington (Virginia) Public Schools. Prior to that stint, he served 27 years at Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, the last 19 as director of athletics.
Youngblood coached softball, football, wrestling and track before assuming administrative duties in 1964. In six years as football coach, he won three Northern Virginia championships and one state title. Among his players were former NFL stars Jake Scott of Miami and John Leypoldt of Buffalo.
However, it was the arena of athletic administration where Youngblood will be remembered most. At the state level, Youngblood was the founding father and first president of the Virginia High School Athletic Directors Association, as well as similar organizations in Maryland and West Virginia. He was named Virginia's athletic director of the year in 1975-76 and was inducted into the Arlington Sports Hall of Fame in 1977. He served a term as secretary-treasurer of the Northern Virginia Athletic Directors, Administrators and Coaches Association in 1976 and was president from 1987 to 1991.
At the national level, Youngblood was a member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) organizing committee that developed the NIAAA bylaws and constitution. He was NIAAA president and has served on the board of directors and the Resolution Committee.
In 1974, Youngblood received the NFHS Citation for his contributions to interscholastic athletics and the NIAAA Award of Merit in 1985. In 1988, Youngblood was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame.
Youngblood has made other notable national contributions. He testified on behalf of the NFHS at congressional hearings, most notably the U.S. Senate Committee hearings on the Amateur Athletic Act of 1978 and securing co-sponsors of the joint congressional resolution making National High School Activities Week public law.
Youngblood passed away in August 2000.
Biographical sketches of the other members of the inaugural NIAAA Hall of Fame class
Alice Barron, Colorado
Alice Barron was one of the first female leaders in high school athletic administration during her 23 years with the Jefferson County R-1 Schools in Golden, Colorado.
After 10 years as a high school coach in Texas and Colorado, Barron joined the Jefferson County Schools in 1967. She held a variety of positions for five years before becoming coordinator of athletics and served in that position until her retirement in 1990. She was responsible for presenting the first girls athletic budget to the Jefferson County Board of Education, which was adopted in 1968.
Barron built the Jefferson County girls program from no sports in 1967 to 11 in 1989 with a $1 million budget. From 1975 to 1989, Jefferson County girls programs won 31 of 95 (32 percent) Class 3A and 4A state championships.
Barron's passion for athletics began in high school and college. After playing basketball at Georgetown (Texas) High School, where she earned 16 letters in four sports, she received a full scholarship to Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, something unheard of in those days.
In four years at Wayland, her basketball teams won 104 consecutive games and four national AAU championships. She was a member of the U.S. women's basketball team that won the World Tournament in Brazil in 1957 and was a first-team AAU All-American.
Barron was the first female to serve on the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Board of Control. In addition, she directed or co-directed 36 CHSAA state tournaments, including 15 basketball championships, during a 22-year period. She served 10 years on the executive board of the Colorado Athletic Directors Association, which included a term as president.
Nationally, she served on the NIAAA Membership Committee for five years and served a four-year term on the NIAAA Board of Directors in the late 1980s.
Among her numerous honors, Barron was the first female administrator inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame in 1992. She is a member of seven other halls of fame, including the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports, Colorado High School Coaches Association, Wayland University and the CHSAA. She received the NFHS Citation in 1987.
Lindy Callahan, Mississippi
Perhaps no one has given to young people and promoted high school athletics in Mississippi more than Lindy Callahan during his 39-year career in the Gulfport, Mississippi schools.
After graduating from the University of Mississippi in 1953, Callahan joined the coaching staff at Gulfport High School, where he assisted in football, basketball and baseball for two years. From 1955 to 1966, Callahan was head football coach and athletic director, and from 1966 to his retirement in 1992, he served as athletic director for the Gulfport School System.
During his days of coaching, Callahan's football teams captured the Big 8 and mythical state championships in 1963, 1964 and 1965. His 1962 baseball team was the South Mississippi state champion. His football teams won 42 consecutive Big 8 Conference games from 1962 to 1965. He was named Big 8 coach of the year in 1964 and Mississippi Broadcasters coach of the year in 1962.
Callahan coached in the Mississippi high school all-star football game in 1957 and 1961. He was responsible for the establishment of the Mississippi-Alabama high school "Battle of the Best" game played annually between outstanding seniors in each state. Callahan was co-founder and director of the Gulf Coast Coaching Clinic in 1964, which is now in its 46th year of existence.
Callahan served as president of the Mississippi Association of Coaches, the Mississippi Athletic Directors Association and the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA).
In 1992, Callahan was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame. Other honors include the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame, Distinguished American Award from the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award and the NFHS Citation. Earlier this year, Callahan was inducted into the University of Mississippi Athletic Hall of Fame.
Since his retirement in 1992, Callahan has lectured in the state and nationally on athletic administration and coaching, served as a part-time faculty member at the University of Southern Mississippi and been a supervisor for the MHSAA in the state's southern districts.
Evan Excell, Utah
Evan Excell retired last year after a stellar 42-year career in education, culminated by 14 years as executive director of the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA).
Prior to joining the UHSAA in 1994, Excell was a teacher, coach and athletic director for 28 years in five Utah high schools. He began his career at Bryce Valley High School and subsequently coached at Escalante, Sunnyside East Carbon and Price Carbon High Schools. He finished his teaching and coaching career with 16 years at Ben Lomond High School in Ogden, where he also served as athletic director.
During his coaching career, Excell led teams to state titles in boys basketball and girls track. During his stint as athletic director at Ben Lomond, the Scots won nine state championships and had 12 second-place finishes in various sports.
Excell is credited with restoring financial stability to the UHSAA. Under his direction, the UHSAA implemented a small increase in ticket prices and worked aggressively to find new corporate sponsors. Six years ago, the association was able to move into a new $1.2 million building and now boasts more than $1 million in its endowment fund.
Excell also initiated the consolidation of many state championship events from several events for each class into one all-encompassing championship tournament. In effect, this reduced operating expenses from renting and staffing facilities, as well as travel for coaches, officials and players.
During his years as a coach and athletic director, Excell was president of the Utah High School Basketball Coaches Association and the Utah Interscholastic Activities Administrators Association (UIAAA). He received the Distinguished Service Award in 1993-94 from the UHSAA, and in 2001, he was presented the Meritorious Service Award by the UIAAA.
Excell was a member of the NFHS Board of Directors from 1998 to 2002, and he also served on the NFHS Annual Meeting Advisory Committee, NFHS Football Rules Committee and NFHS Appeals Board. Other national involvements include the Education Committee of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Excell received an NFHS Citation in 2008 and was inducted into the Utah Summer Games Hall of Honor the same year. Since his retirement, Excell has been inducted into the UHSAA Circle of Fame and the UIAAA Hall of Fame.
Roland Inskeep, CMAA, Indiana
One of the top high school athletic administrators both in the Hoosier State and the nation, the now-retired Roland Inskeep dedicated 25 years of his life as athletic director of North Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The 21-year NIAAA member was a national conference workshop speaker in 1992 and a workshop moderator in 1993. He also has contributed several articles to both Interscholastic Athletic Administration and the NFHS News, and has spoken at numerous conferences and gatherings.
Within his home state of Indiana, Inskeep has been a 41-year member of the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (IIAAA), during which time he served 23 years on the IIAAA Board of Directors. He culminated his service with the association with two years as vice president and one year as president.
A five-year member of the IHSAA Girls Sports Advisory Committee, Inskeep served as host and meet director when North Central High School hosted 90 state championship tournaments in football, tennis, track and gymnastics. He also hosted 370 IHSAA sectional, regional and semi-state championships.
Inskeep's exemplary work in high school athletics brought him significant statewide recognition in 1991, when Indiana Governor Evan Bayh presented him with the "Sagamore of the Wabash," the highest civilian award conferred in the state.
Inskeep was coordinator of the 15-school Marion (Indiana) County Athletic Association for three years, coordinating 17 tournaments a year. He also researched records of Marion County athletics and created a booklet of records, entries, rules and calendar dates for athletic administrators.
In 1988, Inskeep earned his Certified Athletic Administrator designation as one of 100 athletic administrators who became charter members of the NIAAA certification program. Continuing in that trailblazing certification mode, Inskeep was a charter member of the Certified Master Athletic Administrator class in 2000. In 2001, Inskeep worked with IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis) to get LTC courses to apply for credit toward a master's degree. Inskeep wrote the graduate credit curriculums, and in 2007, 23 LTC courses could be utilized for college credit.
Other awards include the National Council of Secondary School Athletic Directors (NCSSAD) National Athletic Administrator of the Year in 1991, NIAAA Distinguished Service Award in 1991, NFHS Citation in 2002 and the NIAAA Thomas E. Frederick Award of Excellence in 2008.
Dave Martens, New York
Now in his 51st year in interscholastic athletics, Dave Martens is a former longtime New York high school coach and athletic administrator and 1984 president of the NIAAA.
Martens was a three-year All-Scholastic baseball player at Arlington (Massachusetts) High School. He subsequently played both baseball and ice hockey at Springfield (Massachusetts) College, where he was named All-New England in baseball and participated in the 1955 College World Series.
After playing for the Milwaukee Braves organization in 1958, Martens began his career in high school education, coaching and athletic administration at Rushford (New York) Central School. Six years later, he moved to Brockport (New York) Central School, and from 1973 to 1991, he was with Fairport (New York) Central School. Along the way, he coached both Rushford Central School and Brockport Central School to sectional basketball championships.
A longtime leader in athletic administration, Martens was president and co-founder of the New York State Athletic Administrators Association (NYSAAA), founded the NIAAA National Emergency Network in 1994 and has directed the program for 15 years, and has been the NYSAAA liaison to the NIAAA since 1981.
Throughout his career, Martens has been a staunch advocate for healthy lifestyles. From 1986 to 1998, he was president and founder of Operation Offense, Inc., an organization designed to keep student-athletes chemical-free, and he received a special commendation for his efforts in this area from the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration in 1991. That same year, he received a Community Service Award from the Eastman Kodak Company.
Among his statewide recognitions, Martens was chosen New York State athletic director of the year in both 1981 and 1998. At the national level, Martens received an NIAAA Distinguished Service Award in 1986, an NIAAA New York State Award of Merit in 1990, an NFHS Citation in 2004 and the NIAAA Award of Merit in 2007. Martens was inducted into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999, and into the Rochester Sports Legends/Frontier Field Walk of Fame in 2002.
Jerry McGee, North Carolina
From his days as a high school coach to his many years as a director of athletic programs at the local, state and national levels, Jerry McGee, CAA, has devoted his life to improving athletic experiences for high school student-athletes. McGee started his illustrious career at John Holmes High School in Edenton, North Carolina, where he was football coach and athletic director. He had two undefeated seasons as football coach and two regional championships. McGee then coached at the collegiate level before returning to the high school ranks in 1976.
McGee continued his dual role of football coach and athletic director at Northeastern High School in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, from 1976 to 1981 before devoting his total energies to athletic administration. In 1981, McGee was appointed director of athletics and physical education for the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public School System and served in that position for 16 years. During his tenure at Elizabeth City-Pasquotank, McGee added more duties to his plate as executive director of the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association and has served in that role since 1991.
Perhaps his greatest contribution to athletic administration came in 2002 when McGee started the National Executive Directors Council (NEDC). As founder and chairman of the NEDC, McGee's vision was to bring together leaders of athletic directors groups from across the country, and the NEDC, through McGee's leadership, has been transformed into a thriving national organization.
McGee has been the North Carolina liaison to the NIAAA since 1991 and served on the NIAAA Certification Committee. He also has given countless hours to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), serving on the NCHSAA Board of Directors since 1991 as well as the NCHSAA Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
Among his numerous honors, McGee received the NFHS Citation in 1997, the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award in 1998, the NIAAA Thomas E. Frederick Award of Excellence in 2003 and the NFHS Award of Merit in 2007. He was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame in 2008, the North Carolina Athletic Directors Hall of Fame in 1998, the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in 1999 and the National Council of Secondary School Athletic Directors (NCSSAD) Hall of Fame in 2007. McGee also was presented "The Order of the Long Leaf Pine" - the highest award for a North Carolina civilian - by the governor of North Carolina.
Ted Miller, CAA, Arizona
Ted Miller, CAA, retired in 2006 after 44 years in secondary education as a teacher, coach, vice principal and athletic director.
After graduating from Arizona State University in 1962, Miller spent the first seven years as a teacher and coach in Riverside, California, before returning to Arizona. Miller was a teacher, coach, vice principal and athletic director at Mohave High School in Bullhead City, Arizona, for 20 years, followed by a 15-year stint as athletic director at Tolleson (Arizona) High School. Miller finished his career with two years as vice principal and athletic director at Cactus High School in Peoria, Arizona.
Miller served on the NIAAA Board of Directors and was president of the NIAAA in 2002. He was state liaison to the NIAAA for 13 years and was the Section VII chairperson for three years. Miller also served six years on the NIAAA Credentials Committee.
In 1997, Miller received the NIAAA State Award of Merit, and was presented the Distinguished Service Award in 1998. He also received the NFHS Citation in 2001.
At the state level, Miller was an Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (AIAAA) Executive Board representative. He was president-elect of the AIAAA in 1994-95, and president in 1995-96. Miller has served on the AIAAA State Planning Committee for 20 years and was a state delegate to the national convention numerous times. Miller also served on the advisory committee of the Governor's Task Force on Drugs.
At the local level, Miller formerly was president of the West Valley Region 4-A Conference, and has been the secretary/treasurer of both the A-West and B-West Conferences. He also formerly served as chairperson of the North Central Evaluating Committee.
A strong proponent of chemical-free lifestyles, Miller organized Community Action Against Drug Abuse and Students for a Drug-Free High School in Bullhead City, Arizona, and developed three in-service narcotics workshops for teachers and staff at Mohave High School. He was a member of the Maricopa County Teens Substance Abuse Task Force and a sponsor of the Tolleson Union High School Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) that was named Arizona Chapter of the year in 1996-97.
Lucia Norwood, CMAA, Georgia
An influential leader in the world of high school athletics, Lucia Norwood, CMAA, has extensive experience as a coach, teacher and athletic administrator throughout her years of service to high school students and athletic programs in Georgia.
Norwood retired from her duties as athletic coordinator of the DeKalb County (Georgia) School System in 2003 after an exemplary 38-year career. She has made tremendous contributions at the local, state and national levels. After winning five state championships as a gymnastics coach, Norwood concentrated on administrative duties. As the athletic coordinator in the DeKalb School System, she implemented a system-wide Sports Safety Committee and a sports safety training course, which trained 700 teachers and coaches annually to help ensure student safety in 17 high schools and 12 middle schools. Locally, she has directed numerous large track meets as the county athletic director.
At the state level, Norwood has served on the GADA Board of Directors since 1991 and was president in 1994, the first woman in history to serve in that position. Since 1995, Norwood has been GADA executive director. For the past 14 years, Norwood has been a member of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Executive Committee and serves as chair of the Gymnastics and Sportsmanship Subcommittees.
Norwood implemented the Georgia State Girls Gymnastics Championships in 1969 and has been the state meet administrator since that time. She also initiated the state competitive cheerleading championships in 1992 and established the Cheerleading Judges Association a year later. From 1992 to 1995, Norwood was the state rules interpreter for cheerleading. In addition, Norwood also was instrumental in starting fast-pitch softball championships in Georgia in 1992.
A highly involved member of the NIAAA for almost 25 years, Norwood served on its Board of Directors from 1998 to 2001. She received the NIAAA State Award of Merit in both 1994 and 1996, the NFHS Citation in 2002 and the NIAAA Thomas E. Frederick Award of Excellence in 2006. She also served on the NIAAA Strategic Planning Committee.
Norwood has also contributed to gymnastics at the national level, serving a term on the NFHS Girls Gymnastics Rules Committee.
Jim Watkins, CMAA, Kentucky
Jim Watkins, CMAA, retired in 2005 after 16 years with the Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, and 38 years overall as a teacher, coach, athletic director and coordinator of athletics. Since his retirement four years ago, Watkins has served as executive director of the Kentucky High School Athletic Directors Association.
Watkins' entire 38-year career was spent in Louisville. He was a teacher and coach at DeSales High School and Valley High School for seven years before becoming athletic director at Southern High School in 1974. After 15 years at Southern, Watkins served seven years as coordinator of athletics for the Jefferson County schools and nine years as director of academics/activities/athletics.
Watkins was a charter member of the Kentucky High School Athletic Directors Association (KHSADA) in 1975 and authored the organization's constitution and bylaws. For 13 years, he edited the KHSADA newsletter, and he spent 26 years as director of the state athletic directors conference. His service extended to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) as well, coordinating the KHSAA Football Championships for 24 years.
Watkins was a charter member of the NIAAA and has attended the National Athletic Directors Conference since 1975. He was a member of the NIAAA Publications Committee for 10 years, including eight years as chair. He was elected to the NIAAA Board of Directors in 1992 and served as president in 1996. Since 2005, Watkins has been course review coordinator for the NIAAA Leadership Training Program.
From 1984 to 1987, Watkins served on the Athletic Directors Advisory Committee and was the committee member responsible for developing "The Case for High School Activities" brochure. In addition, Watkins served on the NFHS Strategic Planning Committee in 1995, and he was a member of the NFHS Coaches' Quarterly and NFHS Officials' Quarterly Publications Committees during the magazines' first year of publication in 1996-97.
In 1983, Watkins was recognized as Kentucky athletic director of the year. Other awards include the NFHS Citation in 1985, the NIAAA State Award of Merit in 1990, the NIAAA Thomas E. Frederick Award of Excellence in 1990 and the NIAAA Award of Merit in 1999. He was inducted into the KHSAA Hall of Fame in 2004.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION (NIAAA): The NIAAA is the largest national organization for high school athletic administrators with more than 7,000 individual members. The NIAAA consists of athletic director organizations in the 50 states plus the District of Columbia and provides an efficient system for exchange of ideas between the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and state athletic administrators organizations as well as individual athletic administrators. The NIAAA, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, strives to preserve the educational nature of interscholastic athletics and the place of these programs in the curricula of schools. The NIAAA is a full and equal partner with the NFHS.
About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and fine arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and fine arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,000 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.5 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; produces publications for high school coaches, officials and athletic directors; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, spirit coaches, speech and debate coaches and music adjudicators; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS Web site at www.nfhs.org.
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