Tonya Moe will leave Linn-Mar as AD to become an IGHSAU assistant director

DES MOINES -- Tonya Moe is leaving one dream job for another.

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has announced the hiring of Moe as an assistant director.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Moe, who has spent the last 19 years as an athletics director at Linn-Mar High School.

“It’s hard to leave, but when the time came, I was going to jump on it.”

Moe, 50, will start with the Union on July 1.

A native of Decorah, Moe graduated from Luther College in 1996. She earned her Masters degree in education administration from Drake University in 2010.

She will fill the role to be vacated by Madison Melchert, who will become the athletics director at Dallas Center-Grimes.

“Tonya has done a fantastic job at Linn-Mar, and her career embodies what it means to be an Iowa Girl,” IGHSAU executive director Erin Gerlich said.

“She grows female leaders and empowers the Iowa Girl. She is passionate about getting more chairs at the table and getting more females involved.”

Moe will serve as an administrator for multiple sports and work with Gary Ross on eligibility matters.

“She has knowledge of every sport that we offer,” Gerlich said.

Moe said that her legacy at Linn-Mar was “keeping participation numbers high and retaining coaches. We haven’t had a lot of turnover.

“The administration here has trusted me to do my job.”

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com