Prep Sports Passion

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 Simpson roots.

“I have enjoyed getting to work with Tom,” said Boulton. “He has that 30,000 foot view and sees the bigger picture. Just having that connection is special. It’s really cool to see what Simpson has done for him and what it is doing for me.”

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

“The beauty here is I’ve watched Elise grow in the short time she’s been there [IGHSAU],” said Keating. “Her knowledge and confidence are trending up. I like what I see — she’s solid.”

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.

“My joy comes from seeing students in action,” said Keating. “We 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’s about their experience and the relationships they make with their teammates and coaches.”

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’s decision-making process and actions. And sometimes that work involves the courage to pursue change.

“If we remain stagnant, we will become irrelevant,” said Keating. “We must honor tradition, but we also can’t be afraid of going where others haven’t. And that takes some risk. At the end of the day, we have to do what’s best for the kids — that’s a responsibility we can’t take lightly.”

Boulton says she certainly shares such a commitment in the IGHSAU’s quest to “create the best experience for the Iowa girl.” To that end, she gained some invaluable lessons in her first year overseeing tennis competition in the state.

“I had to figure out which voices to listen to,” said Boulton. “In the beginning — having never played tennis — 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’s best for the sport and the student athletes.”

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

“Simpson did a lot for me and I want to help keep the ball rolling there,” said Keating. “I’m very excited about President Stuebner and what she’s doing. I’m just so proud to be an alum and would do anything for the place.”