Sports Digest

Beschta to join WIAA as assistant director

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has announced the hiring of Jacob Beschta to serve as assistant director on the executive staff. He will assume his role at the organization’s headquarters on June 5.

“I am extremely grateful and honored to have the opportunity to serve our membership as Assistant Director,” Beschta said. “I look forward to working alongside our dedicated WIAA team to support our member schools in providing the absolute best in academic and co-curricular opportunities for our student-athletes.”

Beschta’s responsibilities will include the administration and tournament planning for the sports assigned, as well as other administrative duties to be determined.

“Our staff enthusiastically welcomes Jake to our team,” executive director Stephanie Hauser said. “His wide range of experiences as athletic director, coach, licensed official and as a high school principal bring a unique perspective to our staff in serving the membership.”

Beschta fills the assistant director position that was vacated following the retirement of Tom Shafranski, who previously was activities director at Rhinelander High School prior to a 22-year stint with the WIAA. Tim Whitford is serving in Shafranski’s role on an interim basis through the end of the school year.

Beschta joins the executive staff after serving as high school principal in the Denmark School District since 2020. Among his many responsibilities, he supervised and evaluated professional and support staff, and he led the hiring process for all high school staff. 

He has guided the planning and implementing of course and curriculum development, effectuated school safety planning and professional development for district and building staff; and managed building and activity budgets.

Beschta is currently the co-chair of the WIAA Calendar and Contact Ad-Hoc Committee and he is a WIAA-licensed basketball official at the master level along with being a member of the Green Bay Officials Association. Other education-related service includes a position as secretary and vice president of the Northeast Wisconsin Conference Principals Committee.