USA Wrestling leader Duane Morgan named CIF Central Coast Section Commissioner
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by USA Wrestling
SAN JOSE, Calif. (March 17, 2015) – The Executive Committee of the CIF Central Coast Section is announcing the selection of Duane E. Morgan as the CCS Commissioner effective July 1, 2015. The CCS Executive Committee conducted a nationwide search for the position after the announcement in mid-January of the pending retirement of CCS Commissioner Nancy Lazenby- Blaser
Morgan has been on the Board and Executive Committee of USA Wrestling and held several different offices for the organization. Morgan is currently the Treasurer of USA Wrestling. On the state level, he is President of California USA Wrestling.
After serving for the past eight years as Assistant Commissioner of the CCS, Mr. Morgan was a unanimous selection of the Search Committee, chaired by CCS Past President Keith Mathews. The choice of the Search Committee was then approved by the CCS Executive Committee, which made the appointment today.
“Mr. Morgan brings a wealth of experience and administrative strengths to his new position,” noted Mathews. “He’s worked closely with current Commissioner Lazenby-Blaser over the past eight years; so despite the challenge we faced in replacing a woman of the exceptional strength and vision in Ms. Lazenby-Blaser, we’re confident that Duane will continue the superior performance of the CCS in the administration of interscholastic sports.”
Mr. Morgan comes to the post with an exhaustive list of qualifications and experiences. Duane was a wrestler in high school; and after graduating from San Jose State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, he taught and coached in the East Side Union High School District, building an outstanding wrestling program at W.C. Overfelt High School. He also has coached girls’ volleyball and softball.
After earning a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, Duane held several administrative roles at Santa Teresa and San Benito High Schools, including as vice principal and principal of San Benito.
Duane has always been active in the world of officiating. In wrestling, he has refereed 18 CIF State Wrestling Championships. He has also served as the CIF State Wrestling Rules InterpreterChampionship Finals.
In response to this notification, Duane Morgan responded, “I am very grateful and excited to take over the reins of the Central Coast Section. After these past 8 years of mentoring by Nancy Lazenby Blaser, I am confident my administrative experiences will be of great value to me as I serve CCS as Commissioner. I look forward to working with our member schools, administrators, athletic directors and coaches in the best interest of all student athletes in the Central Coast Section.”
Duane and his wife Leanna of 20 years have three sons, David, Brandon and Michael.
Within USA Wrestling, Morgan has been the Chairperson of USA Wrestling's Junior Division and a Chairperson of the Junior Olympic Committee. Morgan served as Assistant to the Competition Manager at the 1996 Olympics and the 1995 World Championships, both hosted in Atlanta, Ga.
Duane has been recognized twice at California Wrestling “Official of the Year” and one year as “Person of the Year.” USA Wrestling named him “Man of the Year in 1999.” San Jose Police Activities league has honored him with “Coach of the Year” and he is a Distinguished Member of the California Wrestling Hall of Fame. Duane has also been a recipient of a CCS Lifetime Pass, and our highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. CIF also recognized Duane with a Distinguished Service Award in 2011.
Morgan has been on the Board and Executive Committee of USA Wrestling and held several different offices for the organization. Morgan is currently the Treasurer of USA Wrestling. On the state level, he is President of California USA Wrestling.
After serving for the past eight years as Assistant Commissioner of the CCS, Mr. Morgan was a unanimous selection of the Search Committee, chaired by CCS Past President Keith Mathews. The choice of the Search Committee was then approved by the CCS Executive Committee, which made the appointment today.
“Mr. Morgan brings a wealth of experience and administrative strengths to his new position,” noted Mathews. “He’s worked closely with current Commissioner Lazenby-Blaser over the past eight years; so despite the challenge we faced in replacing a woman of the exceptional strength and vision in Ms. Lazenby-Blaser, we’re confident that Duane will continue the superior performance of the CCS in the administration of interscholastic sports.”
Mr. Morgan comes to the post with an exhaustive list of qualifications and experiences. Duane was a wrestler in high school; and after graduating from San Jose State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, he taught and coached in the East Side Union High School District, building an outstanding wrestling program at W.C. Overfelt High School. He also has coached girls’ volleyball and softball.
After earning a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, Duane held several administrative roles at Santa Teresa and San Benito High Schools, including as vice principal and principal of San Benito.
Duane has always been active in the world of officiating. In wrestling, he has refereed 18 CIF State Wrestling Championships. He has also served as the CIF State Wrestling Rules InterpreterChampionship Finals.
In response to this notification, Duane Morgan responded, “I am very grateful and excited to take over the reins of the Central Coast Section. After these past 8 years of mentoring by Nancy Lazenby Blaser, I am confident my administrative experiences will be of great value to me as I serve CCS as Commissioner. I look forward to working with our member schools, administrators, athletic directors and coaches in the best interest of all student athletes in the Central Coast Section.”
Duane and his wife Leanna of 20 years have three sons, David, Brandon and Michael.
Within USA Wrestling, Morgan has been the Chairperson of USA Wrestling's Junior Division and a Chairperson of the Junior Olympic Committee. Morgan served as Assistant to the Competition Manager at the 1996 Olympics and the 1995 World Championships, both hosted in Atlanta, Ga.
Duane has been recognized twice at California Wrestling “Official of the Year” and one year as “Person of the Year.” USA Wrestling named him “Man of the Year in 1999.” San Jose Police Activities league has honored him with “Coach of the Year” and he is a Distinguished Member of the California Wrestling Hall of Fame. Duane has also been a recipient of a CCS Lifetime Pass, and our highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. CIF also recognized Duane with a Distinguished Service Award in 2011.
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