Sports Are Both Work and Play for Laird

By Emily Cerling

Whether it is time for work or time for play, Ron Laird loves to be engaged in sports. The commissioner of the Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA), Laird is currently serving a one-year term as the 48th president of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

Laird, who assumed the presidency at the 2007 NFHS Summer Meeting in Palm Desert, California, is the first president to come from Wyoming.

Growing up in Billings, Montana, Laird was immersed in the sports world even in his childhood.

"My dad was a coach and an official when I was young, so I was a gym rat from an early age," he said.

Before graduating from Billings (Montana) West High School, he participated in football, basketball, baseball and softball. He even received a football scholarship to Carroll College (Montana) in Helena.

He received his bachelor's degree from Eastern Montana College, now known as Montana State University-Billings. Continuing on the educational track, he completed his master's in sports management from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama.

Once he moved to Wyoming, Laird received his endorsement in educational administration from the University of Wyoming.

As a coach, teacher and administrator for the past 30 years, Laird is a sure fit as the NFHS president. After all, sports and education have been on his mind for quite some time.

"I knew that I wanted to be a teacher from the time I was 10 years old," he said. "The combination of having my father involved in education and the positive influence that my coaches had on me during my high school career instilled in me the desire to work with student-athletes and to try to positively influence their lives."

Laird's involvement with the Wyoming Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (WIAAA), where he served as a board member and president, has also prepared him for his presidential duties. He also served on the WHSAA Board of Directors for seven years, including one year as president. Laird feels his career path and his co-workers have made him who he is today.

"I have had excellent mentors throughout my career," he said. "I have been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, and I definitely have been surrounded by quality coworkers."

Before Laird began his career in education, he married his high school sweetheart, Teri. The two have been married for 32 years. Their son, Toby, 27, is in his last year of his Ph.D. program in school psychology at the University of Arizona. Toby met his wife, Rachel, playing college tennis at MSU-Billings. She continues in athletics today as a fitness trainer and a tennis instructor.

Even in his leisure time, Laird's hobbies center around athletics. Golfing, skiing, jogging, biking and traveling are just a few of his favorite pastimes. When he is not on the job as commissioner, he enjoys attending high school events.

Family vacations are also a highlight in Laird's life. His family's traveling excursions include National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournaments, family ski trips and other sporting events.

Laird confesses to be a Notre Dame football fan, which he has been all his life. He is an avid tennis enthusiast, and loves attending professional tennis tournaments.

Laird strongly believes that all high school students should be involved in activities to enhance their educational experience.

"The lessons they learn throughout participation will assist them in being contributing members to society," he said.

In addition, their roles as athletes transform them into role models for peers in their communities. When speaking to high school students, Laird often reminds them to "never let your fears be the boundaries of your dreams."

Despite the fact that he was worried about burdening his small staff at the WHSAA, Laird is excited to accept the responsibilities of the NFHS president. One of his major goals this year is to support the implementation of educational programs for both coaches and officials.

"I believe it is important for our member schools to see that we are supporting the educational mission of their institutions by giving them proper resources."

Another item Laird hopes to address is sportsmanship, which is a nationwide concern. During his term as president, Laird wants to develop an educational DVD for schools to use with their students, coaches and parents to promote good sportsmanship.

Although the job may be stressful, Laird was humbled by the opportunity to serve as the NFHS president. As he has done many times in his life, he will look to his staff and family to support him throughout his role as president.

Emily Cerling is a fall semester intern in the NFHS Publications/Communications Department. She is a senior at Butler (Indiana) University, majoring in integrated communications.