October 8, 2010
ROBERT FAULKENS NAMED IHSAA ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
Robert E. Faulkens, principal at Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School in Indianapolis and a member of the IHSAA Board of Directors, has been selected by the IHSAA Executive Committee to serve as an assistant commissioner. His appointment is effective January 10, 2011.
Faulkens will fill the vacancy left by the promotion of Assistant Commissioner Bobby Cox to the position of commissioner. Cox will succeed Blake Ress as the eighth commissioner of the IHSAA on Feb. 1, 2011.
“I am extremely pleased the Executive Committee has selected Robert Faulkens as the newest assistant commissioner,” said Cox. “Robert is a visionary educator who will bring passion and energy to the Association staff. His lifelong background in the interscholastic setting along with his enthusiasm for young people makes him an excellent choice as the Association continues its quest to advance the values of education based athletics in our state.”
Faulkens was interviewed by a search committee formed by the IHSAA Executive Committee. That group interviewed nine finalists for the position and Faulkens’ appointment was approved by the IHSAA Executive Committee at its monthly meeting on Thursday.
“The Executive Committee is excited that Robert has accepted our invitation to join the IHSAA staff,” said Geoff Penrod, Athletic Director at Columbia City High School and Chairman of the IHSAA Executive Committee. “He is well respected by his peers with an extensive background in education and interscholastic administration. His educational vision and understanding of the IHSAA will serve the high school youth of Indiana very well.”
Cox indicated that among the responsibilities assumed by Faulkens would be the administration of football, wrestling, track and field, and boys golf.
"I am very humbled by my selection,” said Faulkens, who was re-elected to a second three-year term with the IHSAA Board of Directors last December. “The IHSAA as an entity is responsible for the enrichment of the academic experience of Indiana high school students. I look forward to serving the student-athletes, coaches, and principals participating in Indiana high school athletics."
At 48 years of age, Faulkens has spent 23 years in high school education including the last four as principal at Crispus Attucks, which guides students interested in the medical and allied health professions. While at the school, he helped re-start its athletics program after it served as a junior high school from 1986 through 2006.
Prior to his arrival at Crispus Attucks, Faulkens was an assistant principal at MSD of Pike Township (1999-2006) and Lawrence North High School (1994-99). He also taught geography, world history and U.S. history at Ben Davis High School (1993-94) and South Wayne Junior High School (1989-93). There he coached football, basketball, track and baseball and also provided leadership within a pair of area youth sports organizations.
Faulkens was a three-sport athlete at the prep and collegiate levels playing football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from South Bend’s LaSalle High School in 1980 and earned a B.A. degree in economics from Earlham College in Richmond in 1984. He went on to earn a M.S. degree in education from Butler University in 1995 and is currently working on a dissertation to complete a doctorate degree in urban education at Indiana State University.
Faulkens and his wife, Phyllis Armstrong, have two children, Tessa, 15, and Nigel, 11. They reside in Indianapolis.
IHSAA 10-11/11