May 1, 2012
IHSAA Appoints Sandra Walter, Chris Kaufman as Assistant Commissioners
During Monday’s meeting, the IHSAA Executive Committee approved two personnel moves announcing Sandra Walter and Chris Kaufman as assistant commissioners.
Walter, athletic director at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, will be new to the IHSAA staff while Kaufman was promoted to his new position having served as Communications Director since joining the IHSAA in 2006. Both appointments are effective June 4, 2012.
Walter, 42, was one of four finalists interviewed earlier this month to fill the vacancy left by Assistant Commissioner Theresia Wynns who is leaving the IHSAA staff to join the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) as Director of Sports and Officials Education.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome Sandra Walter to the IHSAA Executive Staff,” said Commissioner Bobby Cox. “Her experience as a leader in the field of athletic administration in our state will prove invaluable as we move forward in our efforts to promote the ideals of education-based athletics for Hoosier students. Our organization is most fortunate to add Sandra to a talented and passionate staff already in place at the Association office.”
Walter has spent 12 years at Lawrence Central, the last 10 as athletic director and two years as assistant athletic director. Prior to that she was the women’s sports director at Hamilton Southeastern (1999-00), athletic director at Knightstown (1998-99) and began her career at Rushville (1992-98) as a mathematics teacher. She added responsibilities as assistant athletic director (1993-98) and also coached the women’s varsity track and field team (1995-98).
“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to join the IHSAA as an assistant commissioner,” said Walter. “I have a great deal of respect for the staff, assistant commissioners, and Bobby Cox. I believe in high school athletics and the opportunities they provide for our young people. I am looking forward to stepping into the role as an assistant commissioner and I’m acutely aware that we are an organization formed to serve our membership and our student athletes.”
Walter earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Ball State University in 1992 and completed her master’s in athletic administration in 1997. She is a 1988 graduate of Brookville High School in southeastern Indiana where she lettered in track and field.
She has served as tournament director for 18 IHSAA sports during her career and also is an active 16-year member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (IIAAA).
Kaufman has overseen the IHSAA’s marketing efforts with corporate partners, served as an Association spokesperson, helped form the IHSAA Champions Television Network and provided support at all state championship events among other responsibilities. Previously, the 45-year old had worked 16 years at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis as its Director of Marketing and Communications.
“Chris has demonstrated excellence in his role at the IHSAA and has earned an opportunity to expand his leadership capabilities in the administration of four of our sports and other Association initiatives,” said Cox. “This change of responsibility for Chris now allows the Association to embark on new areas of pursuit which will continue to forward the mission of the organization. I am equally pleased for Chris and the Association at this development and I look forward to the accomplishment of several organizational goals.”
“I thank the Executive Committee and the Commissioner for the opportunity as well as the responsibility they have entrusted with me,” commented Kaufman. “I look forward to the challenges I’ll face and furthering the goals of the IHSAA.”
The sports each staff member will administer will be announced at a later time.
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About the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. (IHSAA)
Founded in 1903, the purpose of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. (IHSAA) is to encourage, regulate and give direction to wholesome amateur interschool athletic competition between its 408 member schools. The Association provides state championship tournament series in 20 sports, 10 for girls and 10 for boys. Approximately 160,000 student athletes participate in IHSAA sports on an annual basis.
Media Contact
Jason Wille, Sports Information Director or Chris Kaufman, Communications Director
Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.
9150 N. Meridian Street, PO Box 40650
Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-0650
317-846-6601
jwille@ihsaa.org or ckaufman@ihsaa.org
IHSAA 11-12/40