Richards and Schroeder Named Associate Directors

Richards named to executive staff, while Schroeder promoted to associate director

Columbia, Mo.- The Missouri State High School Activities Association Board of Directors has added a member to the executive staff and promoted a second member, as voted upon at its March meeting.  Current Superintendent of Steelville Public Schools, Harvey Richards will join the staff as an Associate Director at the end of the current academic year.  Current Assistant Executive Director Stacy Schroeder has also been promoted to Associate Director, as announced by Dr. Kerwin Urhahn.

Richards began his teaching career in Missouri at Vienna High School in 1985, teaching Physical Science, Anatomy and Physiology and Chemistry courses.  He also coached boys basketball, football along with track and field for the Eagles.  In 1989, Richards moved to St. Clair High School.  In addition to his teaching duties, he also coached the Academic Decathlon team which placed fourth in the state.  Coaching girls basketball, football as well as track and field were also among Richards responsibilities at SCHS.

In 1996, Richards joined the administration of Steelville High School as Principal.  Along with his administrative accomplishments, Richards also helped lead the Cardinals to back-to-back conference championships as the girls basketball coach.  In 2005, he was named Superintendent.  In 2006, Steelville earned “Accredited with Distinction” status.  In 2007, the high school earned an “A+ High School” distinction.

Richards earned a bachelor of science degree from Michigan Technological University in 1982.  A Masters of Education in secondary administration followed from William Woods University in 1997.  Richards earned a Specialist in Education degree from Williams Woods in 2005.

He will replace George Blase, who is retiring in June.

Having joined the MSHSAA staff in 1994, Schroeder has served as an Assistant Executive Director for the past 15 years.  She has supervised volleyball, swimming and diving, water polo, tennis and academic competition while on staff.  She has also assisted with basketball during her tenure.

In addition to her sport and activity supervision, Schroeder provides by-law interpretations and rulings, serves as the staff liaison for the basketball sportsmanship program, drafts the annual questionnaire and ballot, provides rulings on hardship transfers and serves as the office’s personnel director.

Prior to joining the MSHSAA staff, Schoeder worked in the NCAA’s Championships and Event Management office.  She assisted with the Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship, Division I Women’s Basketball Championship, the National Youth Sports Program and the Youth Education through Sports Program.  She also served as an assistant to the Division I Women’s Basketball Selection Committee.

An All-American high jumper in college, Schroeder earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Truman State University in 1991.  A recipient of a NCAA Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship, she earned a Master of Education, Sports Management from the University of Missouri in 1993. 

While at Mizzou, Schroeder served as a graduate assistant in the Missouri Athletic Department.  In addition to her duties in the Athletic Ticket Office and the Sports Marketing Department, she also worked in the Health and Physical Education Department.  She also assisted with the varsity track and field team at her alma mater, Rock Bridge High School.

She was inducted into the TSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003.