April 28, 2008

PHIL GARDNER NAMED IHSAA ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER

Phillip E. Gardner, principal at Wes-Del High School and a member of the IHSAA Board of Directors, has been selected by the IHSAA Executive Committee to serve as an assistant commissioner. The appointment is effective July 1, 2008.

Gardner, 58, fills the vacancy left by Associate Commissioner Ray Craft who is retiring effective June 30 after 25 years on the staff. Gardner was one of seven finalists interviewed earlier this month and his selection was approved by the Executive Committee at its monthly meeting earlier today.

A Muncie resident, Gardner is completing his 14^th year as principal at Wes-Del. He is a 1968 graduate of that school and a 1972 graduate of Indiana State University.

As a member of the Board of Directors, Gardner has one of the longest tenures in Association history having served continuously since 1990. He was elected president of that group in 1995-96 and also elected chairman of the Executive Committee in 1999-00 and 2002-03.

“Phil Gardner will be a great addition to our executive staff,” said Commissioner Blake Ress. “As a member of the IHSAA Board of Directors, he has exhibited a strong dedication and loyalty to the Association. His past experiences as a coach, athletic director, and principal have prepared him well for an assistant commissioner’s position.  I couldn’t be more pleased that Phil will be joining our administrative team.”

"The pride and long tradition of the IHSAA is truly outstanding,” said Gardner. “As an educator, the opportunity to be a part of its continued history, to work with all areas of the state, and to serve our youth enables me to achieve a lifetime goal.  I am honored and humbled to follow Mr. Craft who has served the Association for so many years with tremendous class and dignity."

Gardner began his professional career at Blue River Valley Jr.-Sr. High School in 1972 where he later served as assistant principal and athletic director from 1979 to 1987. Prior to his administrative duties there, he taught business, health and driver education and worked as the head coach for baseball (1972-79) and basketball (1974-79).

In 1987, he was hired as principal of Cowan Jr.-Sr. High School and worked there for seven years before returning to Wes-Del in 1994.

During his 36 years in education, Gardner has been a licensed track and field official, held membership with the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (IIAAA), graduated from the Indiana Principals Leadership Academy and served on the state’s Division of Student Activities Board of Directors. He currently holds membership in the Indiana Association of School Principals which honored him in 2002 as the District 6 Principal of the Year. He also is a member of Phi Delta Kappa and was inducted in the Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

In addition to his B.S. degree from Indiana State, Gardner earned an M.S. degree in education in 1976 and an Ed.S. degree in secondary administration and supervision in 1981, both from Ball State University. He also attended Gaston High School his first two years before consolidation into Wes-Del. As a student, he lettered four years in basketball and baseball, three years in track and once in cross country.

Gardner’s wife, Ann, is a physical education/health teacher at Wes-Del. He has two grown children, Alicia and Doug.

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