GAINESVILLE – In a historical moment, the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted unanimously Saturday evening to name Craig Damon as FHSAA Executive Director Elect. Set to replace FHSAA Executive Director George Tomyn, who is retiring after five years of service, Damon becomes the 11th Executive Director of the Association and the first African American to hold this position. Contract negotiations are expected to begin immediately between Damon, FHSAA President Doug Dodd, and Leonard Ireland, the Association’s legal counsel.
“The Board followed a guided process to hire an exceptional candidate to be the next Executive Director of the FHSAA,” said Dodd. “From the application process through the final interviews, board members worked diligently to select a well-qualified and experienced candidate in Craig Damon.” Dodd stated, “I am confident he will continue to advance our Association in the years to come and serve our studentathletes well.”
Damon has a collective 29 years of experience in interscholastic athletics. He has been an FHSAA staff member since September 2013, where he started as a Director of Athletics before being promoted to Associate Executive Director of Eligibility & Compliance. Prior to his tenure with the FHSAA, Damon served as a dean, athletic director, teacher, and coach at North Marion High School in his hometown of Ocala, FL. Damon holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University.
"I am extremely grateful the Board of Directors entrusted me to the lead the Association," exclaimed Damon. "Together we will continue to ensure the student-athletes of Florida have a great experience in education-based athletics."
For more information regarding the FHSAA Executive Director Elect, follow the Association on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat by searching for “FHSAA” or visit FHSAA.com.
ABOUT THE FHSAA The Florida High School Athletic Association supervises and regulates interscholastic athletic programs for high school students at member public, private and charter schools. The organization also recognizes and honors academic achievement among student-athletes at almost 800 middle, junior, and senior high schools statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, it is the official governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida.