February 2026 Newsletter
Executive Director’s Message
Education-Based Athletics - Best Learning Experience Available!
Mark Armstrong, CMAA - NSIAAA Executive Director
I am constantly reminded about the impact that school activity programs have on the lives of our students. This only happens through the work and support of athletic administrators and coaches who have this direct impact upon these students. No other place will these kids gain the leadership and character-building training that these programs provide! As we move into 2026, I encourage you and your coaches to always strive to get better. The NSIAAA provides many opportunities to help athletic administrators gain valuable knowledge and strategies that help your programs strive for excellence. In the end, our students have a much greater chance of “winning” in life.
The NSIAAA works to continue to provide you, the Athletic Administrator, with the resources you need to be your best!
The NSIAAA continues to make an impact upon Athletic Administration across the country through their involvement and work at the national level and the NIAAA. We have several Nebraska athletic administrators who have been, and continue to serve our national organization through participation on the board of directors, committees, and workshop presenters.
We are very proud of the work the organization continues to do in the area of increasing our NSIAAA Membership. We had a record setting year in 24-25, which resulted in the NSIAAA receiving yet another NIAAA Membership Commendation at the NADC last month. As we progress through 25-26, we have again broken our membership record! As of Mid-January, we stand at 331 members! With time still available, we’d love to see that number even higher! Great work by our Membership Committee under the direction of Marc Mroczek!
We are making final preparations for the upcoming 2026 Spring Awards Luncheon, to be held at Wilderness Ridge GC on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 starting at Noon. Multiple award recipients have been selected from nominations made to the board at our last meeting. We hope you can join us to help honor those who are very deserving of the various recognitions. We do ask all planning to attend to register your intent so we can get an accurate meal count. This should be done on your FinalForms account.
NCA & NSIAAA will be evaluating sportsmanship at the State Basketball Tournaments once again. If you would like to help with this (and we always need help!), please contact Darin Boysen, NCA Executive Director at darin.ncacoach.org They will need help with both the girls and boys tournaments again this year, so volunteer if you can give up some time to do so!
The NSIAAA is also a sponsor of the State Cheer & Dance Competition in Grand Island - February 19-21, 2026. This is coming up quickly, and if you can help volunteer, it is a huge help in running the event. The NSIAAA will again be involved with setup on Wednesday, February 18th if you are able to let. If so, please contact Mark Armstrong.
The Scholarship Deadline for the 2026 NIAAA Scholarship Applications is February 24, 2026, which is coming up QUICKLY!!! Qualifying seniors can download the application form from the NSIAAA website. Completed forms should be emailed to mark.armstrong81@gmail.com prior to the 2/24/2026 deadline.
NIAAA Section V will be hosting the 2026 LTI Institute to be held in Omaha, June 8-10, 2026, in conjunction with the Section V Meetings. There will never be a better time to work toward certification than during this time! The opportunity to take up to LTI courses from national faculty as well as prep and take the CAA Exam (if qualified to do so) will exist right in our backyard! Stay tuned for the class schedules and times in the near future!
We hope to see you all at the upcoming Spring Awards Banquet. Until then, take care of yourselves and keep promoting the benefits of educational activities at your schools!
NIAAA National Conference in Austin, Texas RECAP!
The NIAAA National Athletic Directors Conference was held in Tampa, FL December 12 - 16, 2025. The NIAAA continues to push the attendance record each year, and this was no exception. This included many Nebraska AD’s, along with family members.
Some highlights from the conference, including those of Nebraska significance:
Steve Throne, CMAA served as this year’s NIAAA President and played a very large role during the conference. Steve has had an amazing year as President, leading our national association over this past year. Congratulations on a job very well done, Steve!
The NSIAAA was presented two Membership Commendations at the NIAAA Business Meeting and at the State President’s Breakfast. These recognitions were results of the NSIAAA continuing to break membership records. Congratulations to the efforts of Marc Mroczek, Membership Chair, and all the members of the NSIAAA!
The 2025 NIAAA Award Winners were recognized in person at a reception and awards night on Sunday and Monday nights at the conference. Our own Jenny Wagner of Centennial received the Bruce D. Whitehead Distinguished Service Award, and Jack Tarr received the NFHS Citation. This was the first time in NIAAA history to have a father and daughter both receive national recognition in the same year. Congratulations!
Numerous committee meetings occurred, with Jack Tarr, CMAA serving as the Chairman of the NIAN Committee, Nate Larsen, CMAA serving on the NIAAA board of directors, and Dr. Mitchell Stine serving on a national committee as well . Anyone interested in serving on an NIAAA committee is encouraged to submit an application!
Several Nebraska attendees took advantage of all the LTI classes that were offered, and are now that much closer to CAA or CMAA certification!
The Nebraska delegation was pleased to take part in the Opening General Session and the Closing Business meeting, as well as five members representing Nebraska at the NIAAA Delegate Assembly.
The Nebraska activities directors attended numerous professional development sessions offered throughout the five days of the conference.
We also enjoyed the hospitality provided by several of our state sponsors at the Section V Hospitality Room, as well as others we attended - they were a welcome addition to the evening schedules!
In 2026, the 57th Annual NADC will be held in Phoenix, AZ, at the Phoenix Convention Center, from December 11-15, 2026. Make plans to attend and grow professionally. It is without doubt the best professional development an athletic administrator can take part in.
AD Spotlight - Derry Trampe - Ord
Derry Trampe - Ord
My wife Cathy and I have been married for 43 years and have 4 children. Our children, Christopher (41), Craig (41), Sean (36), and Courtney (33) have all worked or are currently working as teachers and coaches. I am a proud graduate of Amherst High School (1977) and earned my Bachelor's degree in business education from Kearney State College in 1981 and a Master's degree in economics education from UNL in 1997. I started my career at S-E-M public schools as a business teacher and coach and worked there from 1981-1984. I then taught and coached at Bertrand Community Schools from 1984-1994. After Bertrand my family and I moved to Ord where I have worked as a teacher and coach since 1994. The majority of my coaching has been in cross country, wrestling, and track. I have spent the past 9 years as the AD at Ord Public Schools.
Education based athletics are a very important part of a student's high school education. What a student learns from athletics carries over into their professional life. Athletics teaches young athletes the important soft skills that are necessary to be successful in their chosen occupation. Skills like teamwork, perseverance, problem solving, hard work, integrity, and initiative are much easier to teach in practice and games than they are in the classroom. The collaboration between the classroom and the athletic programs helps schools develop well rounded individuals ready to be productive citizens for our state. I feel it is important for every student to experience being part of a team at some point in their school career to take advantage of the benefits associated with athletic participation.
With our school working in a 90-minute block scheduling format, we have a 41 minute access period at the end of every day. In the last two years we have restructured the format of this time period to work on our continuous improvement goals. The students are divided up so that we have seniors through seventh grade in each room. This allows the older students to work as mentors for our younger students. For the first 20 minutes of the period students will work on activities developed by our MTSS team that are designed to focus on our continuous improvement goals. The final 21 minutes are used for students to meet with teachers if they are struggling in a class and to access staff members if they have questions about homework assignments. This has made everyone in the school aware of what our continuous improvement goals are and have helped improve performance in the classroom.
NIAAA Awards to be Presented at the 2026 NSIAAA Spring Awards Banquet
The NSIAAA Spring Awards Banquet is less than a month away! Make plans to attend this event on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Wilderness Ridge GC in Lincoln. Check-in starts at 11 am, with the banquet beginning at Noon.
We are honoring many deserving NSIAAA Athletic Administrators, who were nominated by their peers and selected by the NSIAAA Board for these honors. Many of you work with these folks every week in your conferences. We hope you can all join us at the Spring Banquet to help us honor these outstanding people in our profession!
As a member, this banquet cost is part of your membership. Please be sure to take a moment to fill out the Spring Banquet Attendance Confirmation Form on your Final Forms Account- this will help us with planning for our numbers in attendance. This is due by February 19, 2026
2026 NSIAAA Spring Awards Banquet - Award Recipients
NSIAAA Gdowski/King Student Scholarship Awards:
To Be Determined
NSIAAA Outstanding Service Awards:
Colt Graf - Lexington Regional Hospital / Hi-Line
Greg Conn - Wausa
Odai Zekpa - Millard South
Jesse Stevens - McCook
Seth Ehlers - O’Neill
Jim Pfeiffer - Exeter-Milligan-Friend
Steve English - Grand Island High School
NSIAAA Meritorious Service:
Dr. JJ Toczek, Past President
NSIAAA Athletic Administrator Retirement Awards:
To Be Announced
NSIAAA District Athletic Administrators of the Year
District I Athletic Administrator of the Year: Jenny Wagner - Centennial
District II Athletic Administrator of the Year: James Shada - Arlington
District III Athletic Administrator of the Year: Monica Smeal - Elkhorn Valley
District IV Athletic Administrator of the Year: Cindy Wells - GI Northwest
District V Athletic Administrator of the Year: Ed Rowse - Minden
District VI Athletic Administrator of the Year: Shawn Seiler - Gering
NSIAAA Assistant Athletic Administrator of the Year:
Jeff Pierce - Lincoln Northeast
NSIAAA Middle School Athletic Administrator of the Year:
Scott Wenz - Kiewit Middle School
Mike Purdy / Mike McMahon NSIAAA Emerging Athletic Administrator Award:
Kara Graham - Lincoln Southeast High School
NSIAAA President’s Award:
Dr. Mitchell Stine - Norris
NSIAAA State Athletic Administrator of the Year:
Nate Larsen - O’Neill
AD Spotlight - Monica Smeal - Elkhorn Valley
I am from Norfolk, Nebraska, and a graduate of Wayne State College with a K–12 Health and Physical Education degree. After teaching for 10 years in Ainsworth and earning my 7–12 Principalship Master’s degree, as well as spending two years at West Point Public Schools, I joined Elkhorn Valley Schools. I have served there for the past eight years as the K–12 Media Specialist, Athletic Director, and Junior High Physical Education teacher. I also coach junior high volleyball and golf. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Andrew, and our three-year-old daughter, Karsen.
Education based athletics are an important part of the high school experience because they support the development of the whole student. When sports are grounded in education, the focus extends beyond wins and losses to building character, leadership, and academic responsibility. Student-athletes learn the value of teamwork, respect, discipline, and accountability while balancing the demands of the classroom and competition. These programs teach students how to set goals, manage their time, overcome adversity, and lead by example—skills that transfer directly to academics, careers, and life beyond high school.
Something exciting at Elkhorn Valley is the construction of a new sports complex that will provide students and athletes with improved facilities and new opportunities for sports and events. Started in the summer of 2025, the project features an 8-lane running track, six jump pits, a dual-entry pole vault pit, a high jump area, five practice shot put rings (with one doubling as a competition ring), and three practice discus rings along with two additional competition rings. The complex also includes a dedicated practice football field, a competition field inside the track, a grandstand that can seat about 700 spectators, and a brand-new press box. The practice field is expected to be usable by late July or early August, giving teams time to prepare, and the entire complex is on track to be completed just in time for our first football game in late August of 2026, making it a huge milestone for our school community.
President’s Message
Dear Friends of the NSIAAA,
I hope this message finds you well and that you were able to spend quality time with family and friends during the Holiday Season. I am humbled to serve the Nebraska membership on a four-year Executive Leadership Journey, this year as the NSIAAA’s President.
I want to take a moment to recognize and thank the NSIAAA Executive Leadership Team for their Commitment to Excellence.
Mrs. Sara Fjell, Elkhorn High School – President-Elect
Mr. Nathan Dietz, Amherst Public Schools – Vice President
Mrs. Jenny Wagner, CAA, Centennial Public Schools – Secretary and Treasurer
Mr. Mark Armstrong, CMAA, Retired (Lincoln Southwest) – Executive Director
Dr. JJ Toczek, CAA, Lincoln Public Schools – Past President
The NSIAAA Board of Directors has worked hard this academic year to deliver EXCELLENCE to the membership. Collectively, they continue to position our association for long-term greatness. The Fall Conference was another successful event with quality breakout sessions, ample networking opportunities, and general sessions focused on Climate and Culture, legal issues, and personal leadership development. Many of the sessions were led by Nebraska Athletic Administrators, a goal of the NSIAAA Board for the past few years. The success of the Fall Conference on an annual basis would not happen without your attendance and the NSIAAA’s Corporate Sponsors. Mr. Nathan Dietz, Vice President, deserves recognition for overseeing the 2025 NSIAAA Fall Conference.
Approximately 25 Athletic Administrators represented Nebraska at the 2025 National Conference, with several representing the NSIAAA in key National Leadership posts. A special congratulations to four individuals: Mr. Steve Throne, CMAA, serving as the NIAAA President this year, who presided over NADC Tampa ‘25. Mr. Nate Larsen, CMAA, serves as a NIAAA Board Member. Mr. Jack Tarr, CMAA, was awarded an NFHS Citation at the Conference Luncheon, and Mrs. Jenny Wagner, CAA, was awarded the Bruce D. Whitehead Distinguished Service Award at the Hall of Fame Banquet. Congratulations to Steve, Nate, Jack, and Jenny and their respective families for these wonderful honors serving Athletic Administrators across the entire landscape of Education-Based Athletics!
As the calendar turned to 2026, a New Year always allows us to reflect on our many blessings while developing goals to make us a better version of ourselves. This past year, Steve Throne consistently mentioned his Presidential theme, “Link It Up.” This theme paid homage to the influence of his alma mater, Lincoln High School. It also provided clarity and motivation for those who came into contact with Steve. As he elaborated on his theme, he mentioned his three core values of Outworking People, Being Good to People, and Building Relationships that Last. Phil Rison, Executive Director of the NIAAA, during his closing remarks at the 2025 NADC Hall of Fame Banquet, discussed his favorite artist, Bill Withers. With the lyrics to LEAN ON ME gradually getting louder, Phil said, in sync, I might add, “Lean on me, when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend. I’ll help you carry on.” Steve’s emphasis on connecting with others and controlling your own behaviors, and Phil’s desire for us to always lean on others, is a wonderful and effective road map as we continue our journey in Education-Based Athletics.
On behalf of the NSIAAA Board, I wish you a successful and fulfilling year ahead. I also extend my sincere wishes for your continued health and well-being. If I can be of service in any way, please let me know.
Dr. Mitchell Stine, CMAA
President, Nebraska State Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association
Nate Larsen – LTI & Certification Coordinator
I’m excited to announce that we will be hosting a Section V Summer Leadership Training Institute in Omaha again this June! Courses will be offered on Monday & Tuesday, June 8th & 9th. The specific courses that will be offered are not scheduled yet.
We will also be offering courses at the NCA clinic again this July. We will offer 501 & 502 free for new ADs, as well as offering 504 & 506. All experienced ADs may take any of those courses for $100 each. The dates for the courses will be Tuesday, July 21st for 501 & 504, & Wednesday, July 22nd for 502 & 506. We are still working with the NCA on where those will fit in the schedule in terms of time.
The NIAAA also offers webinars if you are looking for another way to get a course in. The courses offered via webinar this spring are listed below.
Spring 2026
All classes will be 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST.
LTC 706 – February 23
LTC 720 – February 25
LTC 799 – March 2
LTC 790 – March 3
LTC 719 – March 4
LTC 703 – March 5
LTC 630 – March 9
LTC 721 – March 10
LTC 608 – March 11
LTC 601 – March 16
LTC 615 – March 17
LTC 640 – March 18
LTC 712 – March 19
LTC 511 – March 23
LTC 635 – March 24
Attendees must register for a webinar by 12 p.m. EST one business day before the scheduled course date. Select courses are also available online. You can start and stop these at your convenience, but you are also taking the class by yourself. You can register for the webinars or online courses through your login on the NIAAA portal. All course descriptions for the Leadership Training Courses are available on the NIAAA website (https://niaaa.org/course-descriptions).
As always, if there is a specific course you are interested in, please let me know. We (the NSIAAA teaching faculty) are willing to travel to teach a course if we can get 4 or more people registered and a room to teach the course.
President-Elect’s Message
To the Nebraska State Interscholastic Athletic Administrator's Association Members,
I hope you and your families had a nice winter break and a relaxing holiday season. As we start a new year, I hope you can take some time to reflect on what you have been able to accomplish this past few months and what goals you have set for the future months ahead! Our NSIAAA membership continues to grow, and the impact of our athletic leaders has been steadfast across our state.
I am excited to serve this membership as your current President-Elect for the NSIAAA. We have an outstanding executive team, and it has been an honor serving alongside this year’s President, Dr. Mitchell Stine, CMAA, Norris Public School Assistant Principal/Activities Director. I also want to take a few moments to express my appreciation for the leadership of our current NSIAAA Executive Leadership Team. Mr. Mark Armstrong, CMAA, retired Athletic Administrator from Lincoln Southwest, is our Executive Director. Mrs. Jenny Wagner, CAA, Centennial Public Schools, is the Secretary and Treasurer. Dr. JJ Toczek, CAA; Lincoln Public School District Athletic Administrator, Past-President, and Mr. Nathan Dietz, from Amherst Public Schools, as our current Association’s Vice President. The Executive Leadership Team attended the 2025 National Conference in December in Tampa, Florida, and enjoyed a night of fellowship celebrating the past year's accomplishments while embracing the opportunities that will present themselves in 2026 and beyond.
We had another strong showing of Nebraska Athletic Administrators represented at the 2025 National Conference, with several representing our state in key National Leadership committees/positions. A special congratulations to Steve Throne for his leadership and excellence as he served as NIAAA President this past year and presided over NADC Tampa ‘25. Steve’s focus on celebrating others and their impact on him was exceptional and a great example of servant leadership. Some other special acknowledgments that took place in Tampa at the National Conference: our very own Jack Tarr received his NFHS Citation, and Jenny Wagner received her Distinguished Service Award! What amazing work these three leaders continue to do for our state, and to see them recognized at the national level was extraordinary.
As we look forward to the new year to come, I challenge you to continue to find ways to positively influence, help foster, and lead your programs and communities. I encourage you to reach out to other state members in an effort of continued collaboration, with a hope of connection, and also as a support to those who may be new to this profession. We are better when we all work together. Thank you for all the work that you do, both in front of your community, in your buildings, and behind the scenes! Have a great 2026, and we hope to see you this March at our NSIAAA Spring banquet!
Sara Fjell, Activities Director Elkhorn High School
NSIAAA President-Elect
