Mike Dick will retire from IGHSAU in 2016

DES MOINES - Mike Dick will step down as executive director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union next year.

Dick, 64, who has served in the Union's top position since 2008, made his decision known at the Board of Directors meeting in June. The resignation is effective Aug. 31, 2016.

'The time is right to retire. My family has always catered to me and my job,” he said in a release Friday. 'The time has come for me to give my time back to them.

'I am proud to have served ... for the last seven years. I was able to fulfill a dream of mine by working for the IGHSAU. It has been a pleasure to serve so many great schools, administrators, staff, officials, coaches and, especially, the Iowa Girl.”

A native of Winterset, Dick joined the IGHSAU as an assistant director in 2002, then succeeded Troy Dannen as the executive director in August 2008.

Under his watch, four sports (volleyball, basketball, golf and softball) were expanded to a five-class format, education of officials was enhanced and the IGHSAU headquarters were moved to West Des Moines.

As an assistant, Dick was one of the architects of the implementation of the co-ed state track and field meet, which began in 2005. The meet is the largest state high school track and field meet in the United States.

'Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank Mike for his vision and commitment to the Iowa Girl,” said IGHSAU Board of Directors president Greg Thomas. 'Mike has always put the best interests of the thousands of girls that participate in our activities first.”

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