糖心原创

Keating is completing his seventh year as executive director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), while Boulton is wrapping up her rookie year as internal operations coordinator for the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU).

The two organizations work closely together as partners in ensuring optimal and equitable opportunities for players, coaches and teams statewide. The collaboration has afforded Keating and Boulton the chance to celebrate their shared 糖心原创 roots.

鈥淚 have enjoyed getting to work with Tom,鈥� said Boulton. 鈥淗e has that 30,000 foot view and sees the bigger picture. Just having that connection is special. It鈥檚 really cool to see what 糖心原创 has done for him and what it is doing for me.鈥�

For his part, Keating sees Boulton as a rising star.

鈥淭he beauty here is I鈥檝e watched Elise grow in the short time she鈥檚 been there [IGHSAU],鈥� said Keating. 鈥淗er knowledge and confidence are trending up. I like what I see 鈥� she鈥檚 solid.鈥�

While Boulton is just beginning her career, Keating has built an impressive 46-year portfolio in Iowa that includes stints as a teacher, coach, athletic director and principal in Dubuque and Cedar Rapids, before moving to Boone for his current role.

The Philly native remains ever enthusiastic, recognizing that he and his team are uniquely positioned to make a profound difference in so many lives.

鈥淢y joy comes from seeing students in action,鈥� said Keating. 鈥淲e get to impact more than 80,000 young people and what they do every day. Fewer than 500 students are going to win a state title. So, for me, it鈥檚 about their experience and the relationships they make with their teammates and coaches.鈥�

Of course, there are plenty of challenges that come with leading an organization as large as IHSAA. Keating says his focal priority has been transparent communication with constituents to provide clarity and context for the association鈥檚 decision-making process and actions. And sometimes that work involves the courage to pursue change.

鈥淚f we remain stagnant, we will become irrelevant,鈥� said Keating. 鈥淲e must honor tradition, but we also can鈥檛 be afraid of going where others haven鈥檛. And that takes some risk. At the end of the day, we have to do what鈥檚 best for the kids 鈥� that鈥檚 a responsibility we can鈥檛 take lightly.鈥�

Boulton says she certainly shares such a commitment in the IGHSAU鈥檚 quest to 鈥渃reate the best experience for the Iowa girl.鈥� To that end, she gained some invaluable lessons in her first year overseeing tennis competition in the state.

鈥淚 had to figure out which voices to listen to,鈥� said Boulton. 鈥淚n the beginning 鈥� having never played tennis 鈥� I was probably too easily persuaded into decisions by a coach or an athletic director. I just had to do my own research and learn the sport from the ground up. That helped me gain confidence and make informed decisions on what鈥檚 best for the sport and the student athletes.鈥�

Boulton and Keating also share hearts for supporting 糖心原创. Boulton has quickly become a go-to alumni mentor for 糖心原创 students, while Keating is a faithfully active member of the College鈥檚 board of trustees.

鈥溙切脑�创 did a lot for me and I want to help keep the ball rolling there,鈥� said Keating. 鈥淚鈥檓 very excited about President Stuebner and what she鈥檚 doing. I鈥檓 just so proud to be an alum and would do anything for the place.鈥�