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IGHSAU tabs Erin Gerlich as its next executive director
Panora native will succeed Jean Berger on June 8
Apr. 18, 2024 2:33 pm
WEST DES MOINES — It’s too early to call it a legacy, but Erin Gerlich already has put her fingerprints on the landscape of girls’ high school athletics.
Instrumental in the state’s rapid growth of girls’ high school wrestling, Gerlich was announced Thursday as the next executive director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.
“As an Iowa Girl, it feels extra special to carry the torch,” said Gerlich, 40, who will succeed the retiring Jean Berger on June 8. “We’ve got a really good staff that is full of good ideas, and I’m deeply honored.”
A native of Panora, Gerlich came to the Union as an associate director in September 2021 after serving as activities director at the Panorama Community School District.
She received her undergraduate degree at Iowa State University, her master’s in health promotion from Oklahoma State University.
Upon her hire at the Union, Gerlich’s main role was to oversee wrestling, a sport that was IGHSAU-sanctioned in time for the 2022-23 season.
Last season, 3,100 girls participated in wrestling, an increase of more than 20 percent from the previous year.
Gerlich also served as the sport administrator for tennis, and has led the IGHSAU student athletic advisory committee.
She will become the Union’s sixth person — and the second woman — in the head role.
Berger announced her retirement in February. She had held that role since 2016.
“I’m so grateful for Jean’s leadership,” Gerlich said. “To have a front-row seat has been phenomenal, and has prepared me for this.”
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