News

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Jim Strick has been named the next Communications Director for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA).

Strick, currently the Communications Director for the Neenah Joint School District, will join the WIAA on Sept. 28. He will work alongside current director Todd Clark until Clark’s retirement on Jan. 15, 2027.

“This is a pivotal time for education-based athletics, and I am excited for the opportunity to help tell the stories and enhance the value of athletics participation,” Strick said. “Some of the best memories for many of us across Wisconsin center around our high school athletics experiences and it’s an honor to be a part of that.”

A veteran education communications professional, Strick brings 29 years of experience to the position. He has held his current position at Neenah since 2013 as its district’s spokesperson and media contact for internal and external communications. His responsibilities include creating public relations messaging for all district issues and events, maintaining the district’s website and social media platforms, and coordinating the district’s Hall of Fame ceremonies. Prior to assuming his role as communications director at Neenah, he served three years as the district’s activities director.

Strick has been the communications director for the Fox Valley Association for the past 13 years, including the past two years as the conference’s co-commissioner.

In 2025, he received the Wisconsin School Communicator of the Year Award from the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association (WSPRA). 

“We are thrilled to welcome Jim to the WIAA team as our new Communications Director,” WIAA Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said. “He brings an extensive and well-rounded background as a school communications director, athletic director, conference commissioner, and more. 

“Most importantly, Jim understands the value of education-based athletics and shares our membership’s commitment to tell the powerful, positive stories of how high school athletics transform the lives of our student-athletes and strengthen our school communities statewide,” she said.

With extensive experience assisting at WIAA events, Strick has been the public address announcer for nearly 100 WIAA State Tournaments across the sports of baseball, boys and girls basketball, football, boys and girls volleyball, softball and wrestling. He also served as official statistician and scorer during State Tournaments. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored as the recipient of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Award for Outstanding Service in Wisconsin in 2026.

Strick’s collegiate communications experience includes three years as the Director of Athletic Communications for men’s hockey and men’s and women’s tennis at the University of Minnesota from 2007-10. From 1999-2007, he served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He was the Sports Information Director at St. Norbert College in De Pere from 1997-1999. In 2007, he received the Rising Star Award from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), presented annually to one individual from more than 1,000 colleges and universities nationwide.

In 2002, Strick worked as the primary media contact and moderated press conferences for freestyle and slalom skiing events at the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

In addition, he has held positions as a sports reporter with The Post-Crescent in Appleton and served as the statistician and publicity director for the Fox River Valley American Legion Baseball League for 19 years. He also served as the public address announcer for the NCAA Division III baseball and volleyball championships and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, as well as at each of the institutions where he has worked.

Strick earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from St. Norbert College and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. A Combined Locks native, he is a graduate of Kimberly High School, where he participated in baseball and basketball.

Strick and his wife, Nikki, have two sons, Quinn and Carter. 

Driven by its vision of inspiring champions for life, the WIAA is a voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization as defined by its Constitution. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 514 senior high schools and 26 junior high/middle-level schools. The WIAA sponsors 30 State championship events for boys and girls. For more information, please contact the WIAA office at (715) 344-8580.