The CHSAA Board of Directors voted to hire Michael Krueger as the Association’s next commissioner. When he officially assumes the position on July 1, Krueger will become CHSAA’s 10th commissioner.
“Educationally-based, co-curricular activities and athletics serve a greater purpose, and it is the caring, dedicated and passionate people that make up our CHSAA staff and our membership that drive our incredible mission to provide opportunities for participation,” Krueger said. “It is a privilege to serve and work alongside each and every one of these gifted leaders. We have an incredible platform through athletics and activities to really have a profound and positive impact on the lives of our students.”
Krueger is the current senior director of education for USA Football, one of the largest national governing bodies of sport associated with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and has a wide-ranging background in education-based athletics.
Starting out as a middle school teacher in 1991, Krueger became a teacher and counselor at Palisade High School from 1995-2006. He took over as assistant principal/director of athletics and activities at Palisade and held the position until 2013. From there, he served as director of district athletics and activities at Aurora Public Schools from 2014-18 before moving to USA Football, first as director of coaching for two years and then assuming his current role as senior director of education.
Also serving as an elected official from 2006-12, Krueger was elected Trustee of the Town of Palisade in 2006 and was re-elected in 2008 to serve a four-year term as Trustee and Mayor Pro Tempore. During that time and until 2018, Krueger was a voting member of the CHSAA Legislative Council, chairman of the CHSAA Football Committee, a member of the sports medicine advisory and softball committees, and was the Western Slope League president.
In 2006, Krueger was named secretary on the Colorado Athletic Directors Association Board of Directors. He was later named president-elect of the CADA Board in 2013 and served as President from 2015-18.
“Michael brings an exceptional amount of experience, knowledge and leadership to our Association,” CHSAA Board President Luke DeWolfe said. “His unique background as a Colorado educator, counselor, coach, rural small-school athletic director and district athletic director in a large, urban school district were key considerations. That experience, coupled with Mike’s work with USA football and his passion for educationally-based athletics in the state of Colorado are true assets to the Association.
“The Board is excited and honored to welcome Mike to our Association.”
Krueger succeeds Rhonda Blanford-Green, who has served as commissioner for the past five years and is the first-ever African-American female commissioner of a state association. Blanford-Green announced in December that she would retire at the end of the school year and has since been named President of the Board of Directors at USA Cheer.
“I know I have some big shoes to fill and I will work tirelessly to continue the great work that my friend and colleague Rhonda Blanford-Green has established here,” Krueger said. “Her commitment and passion for educationally-based athletics is second-to-none, and I, along with our membership, can honor her work by demonstrating that same level of passion and dedication .”
Krueger was selected from a group of finalists that included current CHSAA assistant commissioner Bethany Brookens and Colorado Springs School District 11 athletic director Christopher Noll. The finalists interviewed with the Board, CHSAA administrative staff and the CHSAA administrative assistants on Monday.
“Honestly, when I just sit and think about the opportunity to work alongside this talented CHSAA staff and to serve next to our membership, who are easily the most dedicated, hard-working and caring people you will find anywhere on the planet, well, I just feel very blessed and humbled, and I can’t wait to get to work,” Krueger said.
