“High school athletics has always been a passion for me; therefore, I could not have asked for a better career than working for the WIAA for almost 40 years,” Gralla said. “I have been fortunate to have worked with so many great people in the WIAA office and outside of the office.
“I truly will miss my daily interactions with athletic directors, conference commissioners and officials throughout the state,” she continued. “Thank you to the WIAA for providing me the perfect career.”
One of her most notable responsibilities over the years has been her work with WIAA officials licensing. She oversaw the officials department, which included the staff liaison for the Officials Advisory Committee, as well as leading the efforts in recruiting and retaining licensed officials.
Gralla also served as the staff liaison for the Middle Level Advisory Council, which has the authority to initiate amendments pertaining to rules and regulations for schools affiliated with middle level membership that affects grades 6-8 students. She also supervised the Noncertified Coaches program, which entailed verifying complete and accurate information and determining application approval or denial, and led the coaches education efforts of the executive office.
Among her other membership responsibilities were the compilation and report preparation for school participation records, as well as the accuracy, approval and reporting of out-of-state competition sanctioning requests. In addition, she was responsible for the compilation of school enrollment counts and member school size classification for sports lists, and preparing ballots and compiling results of membership elections.
Other office responsibilities she performed included obtaining, creating and providing content, advertising and proofing for membership publications, including the WIAA Bulletin, calendar, State Tournament souvenir programs, media releases, and the annual yearbook.
Gralla also processed and prepared State Tournament media credentials, assisted in compiling State Tournament official statistics, maintained the “Games Wanted” listing on the WIAA website, and oversaw the office’s shipping and receiving operation, as well as the scheduling and supervision of the office reception desk.
Mortimer joined the WIAA staff in August of 2013 to fill the position of ticket coordinator/business operations assistant in the executive office.
Her responsibilities in business operations include compiling information and adjusting final yearly audits, assembling and reporting fund statements and financial statements for staff and the Board of Control, calculating and reconciling bank statements, investments and reimbursements to member schools, completing association tax reports and returns, and processing payroll and bills.
As ticketing coordinator, she prepares State Tournament tickets and executes delivery of tickets and online fulfillment to venues, State-qualifying schools, and patrons. Mortimer is also responsible for maintaining and updating ticketing software and hardware, as well as supervising and assisting ticket sales at State Tournament venues.
With the promotion to assistant director, Mortimer will continue to manage her current responsibilities as ticket coordinator/business operation and inherit a number of responsibilities vacated by Gralla’s retirement, including overseeing the licensing of sports officials and serving as officials, middle/junior level and conference commissioner staff liaison, as well as supervising coaches education efforts.
“Since joining the staff, Kassie has brought competencies and a work ethic that have continued to modernize the WIAA’s business and ticketing operations for the benefit of members and fans,” Executive Dave Anderson said. “With Joan’s retirement, Kassie is eager to take on an expanded role in serving the membership.”
The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 514 senior high schools and 48 junior high/middle level schools in its membership.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
