Polson's Wilson named assistant director of MHSA

Mark Beckman, Executive Director of the Montana High School Association, announced Wednesday in a press release that the MHSA Executive Board has hired Scott Wilson as its next assistant director.

Wilson, a Polson High School principal, was selected from a field of qualified candidates.

Wilson has been in the Polson school system since 2001. He was the head football coach for 16 years, leading the Pirates to the Class A playoffs 14 times. Polson advanced to the semifinal round once.

He served as the Polson activities director for 15 years and has been the PHS principal for the last two.

“It will be a challenge,” Wilson said of his new position. “It will be exciting to get back to working with high school activities and sports. I’m excited to meet the staff at the MHSA, which I have always had a good rapport with, and am looking forward to working with them.”

Wilson has been involved in divisional officer appointments and event management in various sports as well as involvement in scheduling and was a member of the Class A Steering Committee for the MHSA.

Wilson replaces longtime associate director Joanne Austin, who is retiring on June 30. Austin joined the MHSA office staff in 1986.

“She has been there a long time and has done a great job working with the schools,” Wilson said of Austin.

“I will definitely use her as a resource as I go into this job. I will have a couple of months to get everything going before fall sports start.”

Wilson begins his new duties on July 2.

“I think throughout the years being the activities director, it was something that drew more interest,” he said of one day working for the MHSA.

“As I got further in my education career, I started looking and if something would open up down the road I would apply and see what happens. It was the right time in my career to do that and I was offered the position.

“Polson is a great school district,” Wilson said.

“I’ve enjoyed working at the high school with the kids, the faculty and the administration. I’ve been here a long time.”