Paul Neidig, Chief of Staff and Director of Athletics of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC), has been approved by the IHSAA Executive Committee to serve as an assistant commissioner. His appointment is effective July 1, 2017.
Neidig, 53, will fill the vacancy left by Assistant Commissioner Phil Gardner who is retiring June 30.
Neidig was one of nine finalists interviewed and will administer the sports of girls and boys’ cross country, boys basketball and baseball for the Association office.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome Paul Neidig to the IHSAA staff” said Commissioner Bobby Cox. “Paul’s outstanding work experiences as a valued leader in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation coupled with his extensive service to the IHSAA as a long‐term member of the Board of Directors uniquely positions him to excel as an Assistant Commissioner. We are enthusiastic with his appointment and are anxious to continue our collective service to the student athletes of our state and our membership.”
During a 31‐year career with EVSC, Neidig also served as its Chief Administrative Officer from 2012 to 2015, Deputy Chief of Staff from 2009 to 2012 and Director of Athletics at Evansville Central High School from 2001 to 2010. Prior to that, Neidig had worked at Evansville Central as a teacher, department chair, head coach and assistant coach for boys’ basketball, assistant athletic director and technology director between 1985 and 2001.
He has been a continuous member of the IHSAA Board of Directors since 2004 and served as Chairman of the Executive Committee three times in 2006‐07, 2009‐10 and 2015‐16.
“I am humbled and honored to serve the Indiana High School Athletic Association and our member schools as an Assistant Commissioner,” Neidig said. “I have had an amazing career at the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation and now I look forward to the opportunity to focus on the mission and vision of the IHSAA. As a product of an education‐based athletic system, I understand the importance of providing a strong athletic experience which is truly an extension of the classroom.”
Neidig has held membership with the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP), Indiana Association of School Business Officials (IASBO), Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (IIAAA) and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).
He has been honored with numerous awards including a NIAAA State Award of Merit in 2006, IIAAA Athletic Director of the Year in 2007, Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Administrator of the Year in 2012, IIAAA Distinguished Service Award in 2013, and most recently with a citation from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in 2015.
Neidig earned a B.S. degree in Technology Education in 1985 from Eastern Illinois University where he played basketball for four years. He later earned an M.A. in Education from the University of Southern Indiana in 1994. A native of Poseyville, he is a 1981 graduate of North Posey High School.
Neidig and his wife, Jean, are the parents of three adult children, Ashley (Charlie Grimes), Chris, and Kyle.