Salute to Retiring Activities Directors

Joel Baumgarten, Rocori

"I have been blessed to be the ROCORI Activities Director for the past 11 years. And blessed to be working at ROCORI for my entire career including teaching, coaching and serving in other administrative positions over all for the past 36 years. This community has been a great place to work with students and families. I am looking forward to spending time with family and pursuing other opportunities in my life. Go Spartans!"

Anne Campbell, Grand Rapids

"It has been an honor to serve Bigfork and Grand Rapids schools as the District Activities Director since 2012.  I am so proud of the first class education that our students receive, as well as the many athletic and fine arts opportunities we offer. I have been blessed to work alongside so many of our amazing student athletes, advisors, teachers and staff in School District 318."

Troy Hendricks, Bemidji

"I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to serve Bemidji High School over the past many years. As a former Lumberjack, I was very fortunate to work first as a teacher, a coach, and finally as the Activities Director until retirement.  GO JACKS!!"

Laurie Hendrickson, Kingsland

"I took over at Kingsland as a fill-in during the same year I decided to retire from teaching. I enjoyed helping the kids and programs for the short time I was AD."  

Mike Manning, Rosemount

"I came to Rosemount High School 27 years ago as the athletic director and I would like to think I have had a small, small part in helping build this community into what it has become. My wife, Monica, and I have raised our four children here and that makes this community a really good place to raise a family."

 Marj Maurer, Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City

"I have been a part of the ACGC school district for 37 years. It was a blessing to have my whole career at ACGC."

Rob Norman, Blue Earth Area

"I feel so fortunate and proud to have been an employee of the Blue Earth Area Schools for 32 years and the last 27 years in the role of Activities Administrator." 

Jerry Pettinger, Benilde-St. Margaret’s

"I feel truly grateful for all the coaches, teachers, staff and administration that have supported me throughout my years at BSM. I will miss the great fellow AD's who it has been such a pleasure to work with over my 27 years as AD at BSM."  

Russ Reetz, Eden Prairie

"I am the person I am today because of the amazing coaches I had in high school and have worked with in my time as an AD. I learned so much from all of you. I entered this profession to pay it forward and I had no idea the job would be so fun and rewarding. The people behind the scenes who help make the magic happen for student athletes are some of the most dedicated people I have ever met. To those who served with me at Lakeville North, Prior Lake, Eden Prairie and the MSHSL, thank you. It was an incredible ride!"

Leo Theisen, Westbrook/Walnut Grove

"It has been a great experience as the Activities Director at Westbrook/Walnut Grove for the past 39 years. My goal has always been to provide a positive experience for all of the WWG student-athletes. My favorite statement that sums up my experience is:  'Friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition.  Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust."'

Jeff Whitney, Rochester Mayo 

"Rochester Mayo is my home. It has been a lifetime dream and passion to serve my alma mater as Activities Director for 32 years. I have been so fortunate to work with so many amazing students and staff and to be a part of their extracurricular journey. Go Spartans!"

Les Zellman, St. James 

"My career has spanned 46 great years as an educator. I was blessed to have 44 of these years in the St. James Public Schools with 30 years as the Athletic Administrator. My greatest career fortune have enjoyed so many fine relationships among students, coaches, conference, section, and state colleagues."