Nathan Joyce

The Seattle Times

As the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Winter Coalition was gaveled into session Monday in Renton, there was a surprise announcement.

The WIAA had hired its next Executive Director the day before, naming Mick Hoffman, the assistant superintendent of Vancouver Public Schools.

He will begin work this summer, taking over for Mike Colbrese, who announced his retirement last year. Colbrese has been the WIAA’s executive director since 1993.

Hoffman has been a coach, teacher, principal and administrator in the Vancouver area for 27 years. He is also a former member of the WIAA’s Executive Board.

“We have an opportunity to impact kids in ways that, other than parents, nobody else has a chance to do,” Hoffman said.

He was an assistant football and basketball coach at Hudson’s Bay High School and a basketball and golf coach at Fort Vancouver.

As most in athletics and education, Hoffman said he believes in the life lessons taught by sports.

“No better place to deal with stress and failure and success and all of the things that come with competition,” he said.

Hoffman said he hoped to continue the work Colbrese has done, and said Washington was a leader in health and safety.

“I’ve known Mick for a long time,” Colbrese said. “He’s an excellent person of character. Hard working, and I think the membership will enjoy his leadership.”