Veteran staff member to retire at end of school year.

Columbia, Mo.- After 26 years as an educator or administrator, George Blase will retire at the end of the current academic year, as announced today by Missouri High School Activities Director Dr. Kerwin Urhahn.

Blase has been a valued member of the MSHSAA staff since 1990.  During the past 19 years as an Assistant Executive Director, Blase has worn many hats.  Currently, he supervises the sports of football, baseball and softball, as well as handling the assigning of basketball officials for post-season play.  In the past, Blase has also supervised boys and girls cross country, girls swimming, boys and girls soccer in addition to academic competition.  Also on his long list of responsibilities in the office, Blase has also helped the Association administer the officials program for all sports, has overseen Foreign Exchange transfers, camps and clinics, as well as being the office’s hotel contact for rooming needs at MSHSAA meetings and events.

Prior to his current position on the MSHSAA staff, Blase taught math at Parkway South High School in St. Louis.  He also coached football and baseball for the Patriots.  In addition to his teaching and coaching credits, Blase also officiated high school and collegiate games in both football and basketball for 15 years.

While being a member of several professional and civic organizations, Blase has served on the board of directors for the Central States Officials Association and the St. Louis Officials Association.  In addition to being elected president of the Midwest Collegiate Football Officials Association, he also served as the MCFOA’s assigning secretary.  Blase also served as the CSOA’s vice-president.

An Air Force veteran reaching the rank of sergant, Blase also served as the base Athletic Director at the KI Sawyer Air Force Base in Michigan.  After earning a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Missouri, he worked as a research analyst for National Vendors and Frank N. Magid Associations before joining Maritz Market Research Services as an account executive.  After working with The Puro Company as a regional sales and marketing manager, Blase became a real estate broker and sales manager with Century 21 at the Bearden Real Estate Company in University City.

Married to Theresa for nearly 31 years, the couple has one son, Blake.