STEVENS POINT – Stephanie Hauser has been named the next executive director of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA).
“We’re excited to announce Stephanie Hauser as the next executive director,” WIAA Board of Control President Eric Russell said. “Stephanie brings great experience, plans and excitement to the position, and we are proud to have her represent the membership.”
Hauser will begin her role in July, working in the transition with Dave Anderson, whose retirement as executive director position becomes effective July 31.
She has served as an assistant director with the association since joining the executive staff in July 2015.
“I’m grateful and proud to have been offered the opportunity to serve our diverse membership and to move education-based athletics forward,” Hauser said. “Our member schools are facing challenging times, and I look forward to supporting and involving them in the process as we embrace this new chapter together.”
Hauser’s list of accomplishments since joining the WIAA include the administration and coordination of her current duties for the sports of gymnastics, volleyball and softball, as well as cross country and track and field before the hiring of Kate Peterson Abiad in spring 2018.
She’s also credited with leading the Conference Realignment Task Force Committee, creating the WIAA Award of Excellence and Spirit of Sport Award, implementing a fifth division in softball, establishing co-op team classifications in gymnastics, supervising the move of the boys’ volleyball state tournament to the Resch Center in Green Bay and negotiating partnerships with sponsors and several convention and visitors bureaus.
Hauser has been active at the national level since joining the executive staff with involvement in National Federation of State High School Association programs.
She’s served as the chairperson for the NFHS Gymnastics Rules Committee, a mentor for the NFHS Leadership Program and has had a role on the NFHS Student Services Committee.
Hauser becomes the first female to serve as executive director in the 125-year history of the WIAA.
She is preceded by P.F. Neverman (1924-51), Clifford Fagan (1951-57), John Roberts (1957-85), Doug Chickering (1986-2009) and Anderson.
Hauser came to the WIAA executive staff from Stevens Point Area Senior High School where she served eight years as the athletic administrator and assistant principal.
Before her administrative role in Stevens Point, she was the assistant principal and activities director in the New London School District (2003-07).
She also possesses coaching experience at the high school level, including stints as varsity volleyball coach at Cumberland (1991), Pulaski (1993-97), Bay Port (1998-99) and Winneconne (2000-03).
Other coaching experience came at the junior varsity level as a softball and junior varsity basketball.
As a former teacher, her experience in the classroom included teaching chemistry and science-related courses.
She was a member of the WIAA Sports Advisory Committee (2009-15) and a member of the Volleyball Coaches Advisory Committee.
Hauser also conducted presentations at the WIAA New Athletic Director Workshop and the WIAA Sportsmanship Summit.
In 2013, she was named the District 2 Athletic Director of the Year by the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association.
Hauser also served as president of the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association and as chair of the WADA District 2 Representative and Scholarship Committee.
She’s a 1991 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a degree in secondary chemistry education and received a Master’s Degree in education leadership from Marian College in 1997.
Hauser was a member of the UW-Superior women’s basketball and softball teams and was named team captain and most valuable player of the women’s volleyball team, receiving all-conference honorable mention.
Hauser and her husband, Dave, have three adult children, Nicki, Sam and Joey.