Associate Director Lisa Lissimore to retire April 30

Monday, Jan. 3, 2022

League Associate Director Lisa Lissimore to retire April 30     

For immediate release:

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. --- Associate Director Lisa Lissimore, in her 34^th year of service to the more than 500 member schools of the Minnesota State High School League, will retire effective April 30, 2022, the League announced today.

“I am thankful for every year that I have served this amazing organization and its member schools,” Lissimore said. “It truly has been an honor to work with so many incredible people who go the distance year after year to help young people achieve success in and out of the classroom.”

Prior to beginning her service to the League in 1988, Lissimore was a member of the League’s Board of Directors as a delegate of the Minnesota State Board of Education. Following that impactful service, she was hired full-time and has been at the forefront of growing opportunities and developing programs that support Minnesota students, coaches, officials and administrators. Her vision, tireless work ethic and selfless initiatives have positively impacted the lives of thousands of Minnesota students and families.

Activities under her leadership include Boys and Girls Cross Country Running, Boys and Girls Swimming and Diving, Girls Basketball, Synchronized Swimming, Badminton and Softball. Lissimore is also responsible for corporate sponsorships and recognition programs that includes the League’s Hall of Fame, and the Triple “A,” ExCEL and Spotlight on Scholarship awards that honor students. She has also been instrumental in the development of the League’s emerging Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

At the national level, the upbeat and engaging Lissimore has served on several committees with the National Federation of State High School Associations, including the Strategic Planning Committee, Citizenship Committee, the Student Services Committee and the Hall of Fame Screening Committee. Last July, Lissimore was selected the recipient of the prestigious NFHS Section 5 Citation Award for distinguished service to schools throughout the country. Section 5 states include: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri.

“Lisa is an incredible individual and an outstanding leader who has always put students first in her service here at the League,” League Executive Director Erich Martens said. “Her work in promoting the opportunities provided by the League and the recognition programs that are integral to the League, speaks for itself. She has been a teacher and mentor to so many coaches, officials, as well as our staff. We, along with our member schools, are so grateful for all she has done for the MSHSL!”

Lissimore, a native of St. Paul’s Rondo Community, helped lead St. Paul Central High School to the first Class AA Girls Basketball Championship in 1976. Included in the multitude of joys she has experienced while serving the League have been five members from the Rondo Community inducted into the Hall of Fame. They are: Dave Winfield, Stacy Robinson, Linda Roberts, Jim Robinson and Frank White.

A 2009 inductee into the Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, Lissimore played one season for the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team before completing her playing career and education at Grand View College in Des Moines. She is a member of hall of fames at Grand View College and St. Paul Central High School. In 2002, she received the Minnesota Women’s Consortium’s “Glass Ceiling Award” and five years later, a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Minnesota State High School Athletic Directors Association.

In retirement, Lissimore plans to spend more time with her husband, Dennis Blue, and their son, Kendall. Kendall Blue is a standout student and basketball player at East Ridge High School in Woodbury. He has signed a national letter of intent to continue his collegiate career at the University of St. Thomas.

“I came into this work because I truly believe high school activity programs make a difference in the lives of young people, providing them with opportunities to lead, learn and grow,’’ Lissimore said. “To be part of this type of learning that takes place in schools throughout the country is truly a blessing. I am grateful for the opportunity and happy to have shared my gifts and talents with others.”

The League is actively engaged in the process to fill the position vacated by Lissimore’s retirement.