Flaten Earns CMAA Designation

FOR THE COURIER

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. - Brenner Flaten, a veteran Athletic Director at Glasgow High School, has been recognized by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administration as a Certified Master Athletic Administrator.

Flaten earned the distinction by demonstrating exemplary knowledge, contributions, and ongoing professional development in the interscholastic athletic administrator field.

The certification process, which was voluntary, considered a thorough evaluation of Flaten's educational background, experience, NIAAA Leadership Courses, and professional contributions, culminating with a practical oral presentation project.

Flaten satisfied those requirements by taking 12 classes in Athletic leadership, sitting for a proctored three-hour exam and completing the implemented project.

He has served as Tournament Director for 41 MHSA Post-Season events over the past eight years; including Playoff Football, District & Divisional Volleyball, Basketball, and Track & Field as well Divisional Wrestling, Softball, and Golf. Flaten is the current President of District 2B and Vice President of the Class B Association. He also serves as the lone Class B representative on the MIAAA Executive Board.

He is a past President of the NE MIAAA Chapter, where he was honored as their region's AD of the year in 2017-18.

"In high school athletics, it is important to stay up to date on current developments. It's crucial to surround yourself with high level thinkers. With those that really understand the importance of activities and their place alongside academics.," Flaten said. "I wanted to try to bring some fresh ideas back to our community to help continue to improve the school district and athletic programs. I'm big on goal setting. This has been a professional goal of mine since I started. It's an honor. I am hoping to inspire other AD's in our great state to take a similar path through the certification process."

The NIAAA is a national professional organization consisting of all 50 state athletic administrator associations and more than 10,000 individual members, dedicated to promoting the professional growth of high school athletic administrators and preserving the educational nature of interscholastic athletics and the place of these programs in the secondary school curriculum.

The NIAAA has been certifying Athletic Directors since 1974. Although 23 AD's have become certified in Montana over the past 45+ years, Flaten becomes only the 4th Athletic Director in Montana history to obtain a Masters Level designation.

Flaten is currently in his 8th year as Athletic Director at Glasgow High School.

EDITOR'S NOTE: An interview with Mr. Flaten about what this designation means for Glasgow sports and the community will appear in next week's Courier.