Lehman Selected as Region 6 Athletic Administrator of the Year

(March 8, 2024 10:45 AM ET) Concord Athletic Director Matt Lehman has been named Athletic Administrator of the Year by the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA) for the 2023-24 school year. Lehman will be presented the award in Traverse City on March 16, at the annual MIAAA Mid-Winter Conference in which over 500 athletic directors participate. 

Lehman is a 1985 graduate of Whittemore-Prescott High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University in physical education and business teacher education, a master’s degree from Spring Arbor University in Education, and an administrative certification through the MASSP Path to Leadership program.

Lehman began his career in education as a teacher at Tawas Area Schools and the Whittemore-Prescott adult education program before heading to Concord Schools in 1993. While at Concord, he has held several different leadership positions including athletic director, high school assistant principal, middle school principal, dean of students, technology teacher, and assessment coordinator over his 30-plus years within the district. 

Mike Jurasek, a teacher and track and cross country coach at Concord, writes “Every sport needs the support and backing of their athletic director and Matt provides that support for every program. His positive attitude and support of the athletes and coaches are truly what separates Matt from other athletic directors that I have worked with. Matt tries to understand each program individually and help in the best way possible. His interaction with our athletes stems from his time in the classroom. He understands what is best for each student-athlete and deals with them on an individual basis. Matt has a ‘we’ll find a way attitude’ to any obstacle that comes his way and his support for his teams and coaches is second to none. Matt’s commitment to Concord’s athletic programs and the community of Concord in general is to be commended and should be a model for others to follow.” 

Lehman has served over 35 years as a coach, including 11 years as the varsity boys basketball head coach at Concord, while also coaching varsity girls basketball, golf, track and field. He was a BCAM regional representative, is the Big Eight Conference basketball league representative, has published articles in the Winning Hoops magazine, and led Concord to a district championship in 2002 and two Big Eight league titles. 

Lehman has been a MIAAA regional and alternate representative and was named the 2005 Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year. He has been the event coordinator for the Concord Classic Weekend (10 years), a high school football and basketball color analyst for local radio and JTV, a volunteer sports writer for local media, an MHSAA registered basketball official, a member of the entertainment, security, and guest services team at Michigan International Speedway, and a disc jockey for dances, weddings, and other events. He is married to Kathy, who is also a highly decorated volleyball coach with over 500 career wins. He has daughters Alissa (34), Lindsey (25), Bradie (14), and a son Brett (27), all of whom were highly successful athletes at the high school and college levels. 

The MIAAA is a 50-plus year old association with nearly 700 members serving as athletic administrators in numerous high schools and junior high/middle schools in Michigan.