Brainerd's Charlie Campbell selected MSHSL Associate Director

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 16, 2021

Brainerd’s Charlie Campbell selected MSHSL Associate Director

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. --- Charlie Campbell, a longtime Minnesota high school educator and administrator, will become the 14^th Associate Director in the 105-year history of the Minnesota State High School League, the League announced today. Campbell, 48, will begin his service with the League on Aug. 2.  

“I am super excited, yet, humbled to be able to step forward into a new leadership capacity where I can stay involved in education, activities and athletics,” said Campbell, a native of Brooklyn Center. “There are so few opportunities to leave an incredible community like Brainerd and to still be able to stay involved in education-based activities. With the League, I will be able to contribute leadership in a much broader scope in service to the member schools. I will have the opportunity now to present learning pieces of the League that stretch beyond just one community.”

Since 2011, Campbell has served as the Activities Director at Brainerd High School where he led and directed nearly 40 athletic and fine arts programs. During his tenure, growth in co-curricular opportunities for students was the hallmark of his leadership. Prior to his arrival at Brainerd, Campbell was the principal at Greenway High School from July 2009 through July 2011. He began his administrative career at Nashwauk-Keewatin High School where he was the principal and head football coach from Aug. 2000 through July 2009. His first teaching position was in 1997 where he taught social studies and coached a variety of sports at Virginia High School.

After graduating from Brooklyn Center High School in 1991, Campbell earned degrees from Hamline University in 1995. He also played football for the Pipers and later served as an assistant coach.

During his professional career, Campbell has been active in leadership positions with the Minnesota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and served on the League’s Education Advisory Committee, which included assisting in the development of the “Why We Play” curriculum. He has also served on the teaching staff of the InSideOut Coaching initiative.

“Charlie’s experience and strong track record of leadership, development of programs and initiatives, and advocacy on behalf of students has been exemplary,” said Erich Martens, executive director of the Minnesota State High School League. “He is a dynamic leader who has demonstrated his passion for providing opportunities for students and has been instrumental in both shaping and delivering training and education for our coaches throughout the state. Charlie will be an outstanding addition to League Staff and will contribute immediately.”

Campbell’s wife, Amy, is a middle school physical education teacher and leads adapted athletics. They have three children: Katie (20), R.J. (18) and George (15). In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors, family time, cooking and physical fitness training.

“The League’s work of connecting with member schools is never done,” Campbell said. “How do we connect education to as many schools, as many coaches, as many administrators and as many participants as we can, and do things relative to a school that has a small enrollment and one that has a large enrollment? My vision is to work toward greater connections in whatever way I can.”