Mike Dick
The retiring leader of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union calls the State Coed Track Meet his top accomplishment.
Mike Dick has been with the union since 2002 and has served as executive director since 2008. He will help direct an event for a final time this week that is expected to draw nearly 40,000 fans to Drake Stadium.
“I put together a top ten list to share with my board and rep council as I bow out and I put this on the top of my list”, said Dick. “I think this is the best thing we have done for the kids of Iowa, the fans of Iowa and the sport of track and field. It is just a remarkable state meet.”
The State Coed Meet was first held in 2005 to accommodate the scheduled renovation of Drake Stadium. Since then, it has grown into the largest high school track and field meet in the country.
Dick is retiring at the end of August and admits there will be mixed emotions this weekend.
“I will experience both feelings. You are happy for seeing how good it goes and for all of the great things that have happened and yet sad because I am going to miss all the people and being around sports and all of the kids.”
The state track meet opens Thursday morning with competition in classes 2A and 3A. Action will shift to classes 1A and 4A in the afternoon.