Thompson picked to lead NIAA

Bart Thompson’s application to be the executive director of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association didn’t come in until the day before the deadline.

The decision to leave a job he loved in Utah was difficult. On Monday, it became rewarding.

Thompson, an assistant executive director for the Utah High School Athletic Association, was hired by the NIAA’s Board of Control to be the association’s fourth executive director.

“I really loved what I was doing, but I am really excited about the challenges and opportunities ahead of me,” Thompson said. “To come from out of state and have the board put its faith and trust in me, I’m a little overwhelmed.”

Thompson was one of five candidates to interview with the board on Monday. The others were: NIAA assistant director Donnie Nelson; Washoe County School District student activities coordinator Brian Rothe; former Elko High principal Mike Altenburg; and retired Desert Oasis and Sierra Vista athletic director Larry Goins.

“He had a very obvious and evident love for students”, said board chairman Jill Pendleton, principal at Clark High. “He had excellent communication skills. He had a very commendable level of professionalism, and he’s had extensive experience working with the Utah legislature.”

Thompson follows Eddie Bonine, who was hired in December to lead the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.

“I see this as a tremendous opportunity to serve students and to do what I love to do,” Thompson said.

A 1983 graduate of Weber State, Thompson earned his master’s degree in 1990. He was a teacher and coach for 22 years at Viewmont High in Bountiful, Utah, before being named to his current position.

He is the director and rules interpreter for cross country, soccer, wrestling, track, speech and debate for the UHSAA.

“He does have the experience in the role of assistant director,” Pendleton said. “It was a concern that he doesn’t have some of the institutional knowledge of the state, but we found that he could pretty quickly pick that up.

“He had a very good understanding of the role of the board of control, and he has such strong leadership skills.”

Following the interviews, the board spent two hours in discussion, first narrowing down the field of five to Thompson and Nelson. Thompson was selected by a 5-3 vote. The ninth voting member of the board is Rothe.

“We need to make sure the NIAA is on a firm financial footing,” Thompson said. “There are some divisions in this state, but we want to try to get people together and bridge the gaps between north and south, large schools and small schools, private and public.

“I hope to be able to get people together.”

Contract details were not worked out, Pendleton said, adding that the board would offer no more than a three-year contract to start. A start date also was not determined, but is expected to be ironed out at the board’s April meeting.

“I anticipate sometime in June or the first of July,” said Thompson, who hadn’t yet given notice to the UHSAA. “I have duties I still need to do in Utah, but I’d like to get started here as soon as possible. I’m very excited.”

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5230.