Head of NIAA will leave Nevada for new position

Ed Bonine will be leaving the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association after eight years as director. According to the NIAA, Bonine has been offered a position with the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. The NIAA will start the process of filling the position on January 14 and 15, which is the regular winter meeting.

Erin Cranor, President of the NIAA said, “Eddie has done a great job for the student athletes and student leaders here in Nevada. The NIAA is in a good position to continue to support high school athletics and student leadership for students throughout our state. We understand this is a great opportunity for Eddie. We are sad to see him go, but we wish him the best.”

Donnie Nelson the assistant director of the NIAA said he will miss his sincere sense of humor and pure joy.

“Mr. Bonine accomplished a great many things during his eight years as Executive Director of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association,” Nelson said. “He cultivated personal and professional relationships with people with varying degrees of influence, all of which helped to elevate the NIAA’s status at the local, state and national levels. He moved us in to a spectacular office building, he generated partnerships with outstanding businesses, and he considered each issue and case facing the NIAA on its own individual merit.”

In Pahrump, the Nye County Superintendent, Dale Norton said he has worked with Bonine for the past 10 years and said he has been a great professional friend and colleague to him.

“I have known Mr. Bonine as a Nye County School District Administrator and as a Nevada two-sport official,” Norton said. “Eddie has always looked out for Nevada students and activities during his entire eighteen year career in the state. We wish him and his family the best, and certainly will be there for him if he needs anything from me. He will be missed.”

Trojans Athletic Director Ed Kirkwood said Bonine was very personal with everyone.

“I’ve actually been on the phone with him three or four times since I have been here,” Kirkwood said. “He does not duck the little schools and if you call the NIAA about a question they will say, ‘Hold on I will put you on the phone with Mr. Bonine.’ And he will pick up the phone and say to me, ‘Ed how can I help you?’ He just seems like a great guy and is very helpful.”

Kirkwood said Bonine was so good at dealing with the little things that all the small communities will miss him.