Craig Anderson '91 displayed a knack for leadership during his two-sport career at Monmouth College and will soon take his skills to another level with the Illinois High School Association.
 
The IHSA Board of Directors announced Tuesday that Anderson will be promoted to executive director. When he begins those duties in January 2016, he will become the seventh individual in the 114-year existence of the association to serve in that role.
 
"I am excited, proud and humbled," said Anderson, who played football and basketball at Monmouth from 1987-91. "I have incredibly big shoes to fill, but certainly look forward to that challenge. I said in 2010 that working for the IHSA was a dream job. To ascend to the executive director role is beyond words."
 
A four-year member of both the Monmouth College football and basketball teams, Anderson was named academic All-Midwest Conference his senior year of football. During his career, the Scots posted a 33-6 mark on the gridiron, winning three MWC South Division championships. In basketball, Anderson's teams compiled a 52-26 record, winning two Midwest Conference titles.
 
Anderson will take the reins upon the retirement of current IHSA executive director Marty Hickman, who also has Monmouth connections. Hickman served as principal of Monmouth High School from 1987-91 – ironically, the same four years Anderson attended Monmouth College.
 
"Craig has shown tremendous leadership in his time at the IHSA," said Dan Klett, chairman of the search committee. "We considered and interviewed several impressive candidates, both internally and externally, but the committee came away from Craig's interview confident that his experience, both in the high school and since joining the IHSA, makes him the right person to lead the IHSA into its next era."
 
Anderson currently serves as the IHSA administrator for football, wrestling and baseball. He also oversees the IHSA's Officials Department and has been involved in a number of safety initiatives, especially in football, where he worked jointly with the IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and Football Advisory Committee.