AURORA | The Aurora ties to the job of commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association remain as Michael Krueger will take over the position next year.
Krueger — who served a stint as the Aurora Public Schools’ Athletic Director from 2014-18 — has been approved by CHSAA’s Board of Directors to become the governing body’s 10th commissioner the organization announced Tuesday.
Currently working for Indianapolis-based USA Football, Krueger is set to return to Colorado to succeed Rhonda Blanford-Green, a former prep star at Aurora Central High School, who announced in December that she would retired at the end of the 2021-22 school year.
“Educationally-based, co-curricular activities and athletics serve a greater purpose, and it is the caring, dedicated and passionate people that make up our CHSAA staff and our membership that drive our incredible mission to provide opportunities for participation,” Krueger said in a statement. “It is a privilege to serve and work alongside each and every one of these gifted leaders. We have an incredible platform through athletics and activities to really have a profound and positive impact on the lives of our students.”
Krueger and two other finalists — including current CHSAA assistant commissioner Bethany Brookens, who has Aurora ties herself as an Overland High School graduate and member of its Hall of Fame as well as Colorado Springs District 11 AD Chris Noll — interviewed on Monday with the Board and administrative staff.
Krueger’s current post with USA Football is as Senior Director of Education, a role he moved into after originally taking a job as Director of Coaching.
Among his roles while still in Colorado, Krueger was a voting member of the CHSAA Legislative Council, chairman of the CHSAA Football Committee, a member of the sports medicine advisory and softball committees and was the Western Slope League president.
Blanford-Green — the first African-American female to be selected as CHSAA’s commissioner — will have a new role as well when the year comes to a close. She has been named President of the Board of Directors of USA Cheer.
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Colorado Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports