NIAA to have short-term executive director, hope to have new one in November

The NIAA Board on Control has taken the first step to solve its latest setback and problem, setting a timeline for a new executive director to be in place and hopefully hiring that person to start on Nov. 2. 

In the meantime, there will be an interim executive director to run the day-to-day duties, until a permanent suitor can be hired. 

Current executive director Timothy Jackson announced his resignation last month, effective Aug. 1. Jackson held the position for just two years, taking the realm from Donnie Nelson. He previously served as the director of athletics for CCSD and athletic director at Durango High School. 

“It has been an honor to serve Nevada’s member schools and student athletes,” Jackson said in a release from the NIAA. “I am proud of the strides we have made in professionalizing our operations, expanding opportunities for students, and strengthening our relationships with state leaders.” 

The move comes at a time where there is turmoil in Clark County over football. CCSD schools in the 4A and 5A moved to independent status to create their own league within the school district. They will not play for a state title but have to abide by NIAA rules and regulations. 

The crux of the problem, is Bishop Gorman, a private school in Las Vegas, that has been nationally ranked for over a decade. This year the Gaels are predicted to ne No. 1 or 2 in national preseason polls. 

In addition, for this school year, lacrosse and girls wrestling become sanctioned sports. This will be the first year of lacrosse in Nevada. 

The search for an interim executive director is underway. 

The NIAA posted an announcement, opening the application process for an interim executive director with the plan to choose an interim during the week of July 27 to start on Aug. 3 when Jackson leaves. 

In hopes to broaden its pool of candidates, the NIAA will have a fourweek period for applicants to apply for the position. When Jackson was chosen for the position during the spring of 2023, the NIAA only received two applicants during a two-week window. 

The board of control made modifications to requirements for the position. A master’s degree or specific athletic administration certifications will not be required. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree and at least seven years of experience working in a high school sports state association or in education administrations, or similar fields, will be required.

The Board of Control appointed board members Colin McNaught, Gregg Malkovich and Dennis Holmes to serve on a sub-committee of the board to examine candidates.