It’s kind of like being an assistant coach for a while, and then finally having a chance to be a head coach. – Bart Thompson
MIDVALE — Bart Thompson loved his job and the people he worked with at the Utah High School Activities Association.
Which is a large part of the reason he waited until the last day possible to apply for the job of leading the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.
“I’ve thought about it for quite a while,” said Thompson, who was named the NIAA’s new executive director this week. “It’s kind of like being an assistant coach for a while, and then finally having a chance to be a head coach.”
Thompson, 55, said it’s the chance to tackle new challenges that ultimately led to him applying for the job in a state where he's never worked or lived, despite feeling very comfortable with the assistant director’s job he’s held for the last eight years with the UHSAA. He said the two state’s have similar geographic issues, but there are fewer Nevada schools and a smaller budget.
“It’s an opportunity to serve people and solve problems,” he said. “There are a lot of similar issues, but different degrees of intensity on some things.”
In his time with the UHSAA, Thompson gained a reputation as a creative-problem solver who was unafraid to deal with tough or controversial issues, like concussions, wrestling seeding and transfer issues. He oversees cross country, soccer, speech/debate and track and wrestling, as well as academic all-state awards. He’s the association’s sports medicine coordinator and unified sports coordinator, as well.
But it was his experience dealing with legislative issues that most impressed his new bosses.
“I think the experience (UHSAA) gave me was a major factor,” he said. “Dealing with the legislature had something to do with it.”
He said he’s learned a lot that he is excited to take with him to Nevada’s public schools, including how the association can partner with businesses to help fund activities.
“They’re on a tighter budget than we are here in Utah,” he said. “Their revenue from ticket sales is not what Utah’s is. Not that I’m an expert on that, but that’s an area where we could grow.”
Thompson is a graduate of Weber State University, and he spent 22 years teaching and coaching at Viewmont High School, where his wife still works as a secretary. Their children are grown, and he said both he and his wife are looking forward to new experiences.
“I’m excited,” he said. “It’s kind of like when I left Viewmont to go to the UHSAA. I was perfectly happy teaching government and economics and coaching wrestling. I loved what I did, and I love the people I worked with.” But working as an assistant director at the UHSAA has been “reinvigorating” and he feels leading the NIAA will offer him the same opportunities for growth.
“I really am excited at the opportunity,” he said.
Thompson is under contract with UHSAA until July, but he said he hopes to be able to leave and start working in Nevada in June.
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