Cate Sgroi has been selected as Executive Director of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association. Sgroi, an assistant director of the NIAA since July 2024, will become the association’s seventh full-time executive director. She is also the first female executive director for the NIAA.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next Executive Director,” Sgroi said. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation of the NIAA, bringing all stakeholders together around a shared vision, and finding meaningful ways to enhance the experience of Nevada’s student-athletes.”
A graduate of Syracuse University with master’s degrees from Columbia University and Sierra Nevada College, Sgroi oversees student eligibility and compliance, new school membership and the NIAA’s rules and regulations.
Sroi replaces Timothy Jackson, who stepped down from the position this summer. The NIAA Board on Control originally selected Todd Cutler to be the new director but Cutler and the board could not come to am agreement on a contract.
“The way this situation unfolded is a little unconventional,” Sgroi told the board after getting approved. “It is a little awkward coming in knowing that I wasn’t the first choice. I am very excited and grateful. This organization and sports in Nevada mean a lot to me. I am ready to step up to the plate and prove myself to the board.”
She was a director in the Clark County School District athletics office for two years prior to joining the NIAA staff. Sgroi has earned Certified Master Athletic Administrator certification through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.
The CMAA designation is the highest level of certification provided by the organization.
She began her career in education as a biology teacher at Sierra Vista High School in Las Vegas. She coached track and girls volleyball at the school and became the school’s athletic director, a position she held for four years, in 2016.
Sgroi was an assistant principal at Sierra Vista for nearly two years before moving into the CCSD athletics office. She will begin her duties as executive director on Oct. 19.
“Cate has my undying support in this position and I have full faith in her,” stated NIAA board member Lori Woodland. Woodland is also a member of the Humboldt County School District board. “I wish her the best. I want to admonish this board. I think it its imperative that we all support her. We need to make sure she is successful. Because if she is successful, we are successful and then our athletes in Nevada are successful. We need to give her are full support”
Previous NIAA Executive Directors
• Bert Cooper (1974-89)
• Jerry Hughes (1990-2007)
• Eddie Bonine (2007-14)
• Bart Thompson (2015-21)
• Donnie Nelson (2021-24)
• Timothy Jackson (2024-26) *
* Sean FitzSimons (2026)
*served as interim
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