June 14, 2004
Susan M. Knoblauch of Washington was named today (June 14) to be an assistant executive director of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) by the Board of Directors. She will join the staff August 1, 2004.
Ms. Knoblauch fills a new position authorized by the Board of Directors at its April 27 regular meeting. She becomes the 28th person in the 104-year history of IHSA to serve on its administrative staff and the 11th female to serve.
"We are fortunate to be able to add to our administrative staff a gifted educator," said IHSA Executive Director Dr. Martin L. Hickman. "Susan Knoblauch has some unique talents that will add to the mix of our staff. She brings a deep commitment to serving young people, and a clear vision of the mission of our Association. Her presence on our staff will help IHSA continue to provide strong, positive leadership for our member schools and the students who attend them."
She comes to the staff from Lowpoint-Washburn High School where she was English department head, coached speech individual events and directed the school play. A high school teacher of English, speech, drama and broadcasting since 1987, Ms. Knoblauch also has coached cheerleading. From 1987-2002 she taught speech, broadcasting and drama and coached, individual events at Morton High School. She also directed school musicals at Morton. During the 2002-03 school term she was an English and speech teacher at Washington High School.
From 1998-2003, she was a part-time speech communication and drama instructor at Illinois Central College.
Ms. Knoblauch has served as manager and judged in speech regional and sectional competition. She has served on the State Speech Tournament Advisory Committee, and judged at the State Speech Tournament. She is an Illinois Speech and Theatre Association member and presenter, and a National Forensic League judge.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication-Teacher Education from Illinois State University in 1987. In 1997, she received a Master of Science in Communication from ISU.
While at Illinois State University, Susan was a member of the cheerleading squad. She has been cheerleader coach at both Morton and Washington.
Susan and her husband, Herb, are parents of sons Evan, 14, and Kyle, 9.