AURORA - The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has announced the hiring of Joe Brown as Assistant Commissioner. Brown will join the association to begin his duties on July 1.
Currently the Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Niwot High School, Brown brings a dynamic blend of leadership experience at the school, state and national levels to the CHSAA office.
“We were fortunate to have an incredibly talented and deep pool of applicants for this position, which speaks to the strength of leadership across our state,” CHSAA Commissioner Mike Krueger said. “After a thorough and thoughtful process, it became clear that Joe Brown is the right person to serve in this role at this time.
“Joe brings a wealth of experience and perspective to the Assistant Commissioner position. His servant leadership approach, combined with his years of service as a teacher, coach, athletic director, school administrator, and member of multiple state boards, has prepared him well to support and advocate for our member schools.”
As Assistant Commissioner, Brown will oversee boys and girls swimming, softball and baseball, while also providing oversight for officials. Additional staff sport assignment changes, effective at the start of the 2026-27 school year, include Bethany Brookens overseeing ice hockey, Arin Dunn overseeing boys and girls basketball and John Sullivan taking over boys and girls golf and girls lacrosse.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that I have had in my career and the people that have been such outstanding influences, mentors and friends that have helped lead me on a path to this position,” Brown said. “To serve the membership in this capacity is an honor that I don’t take lightly. I look forward to continuing the work in seeking excellence in academics, activities and athletics.”
Brown’s connection to CHSAA spans nearly every level of education-based athletics. A former student-athlete at Plateau Valley High School, he has served youth in Colorado throughout the last 20 years as a coach, activity sponsor, teacher, assistant principal and athletic director, primarily at Niwot and Roosevelt high schools.
“Joe understands Colorado, he understands our communities, and most importantly, he understands the purpose and values of educationally based athletics and activities,” Krueger shared. “He also recognizes the real challenges we face in upholding those foundational principles in today’s environment.
“Joe will be a familiar and respected voice as he works alongside school leaders across the state. I am genuinely excited for our team, our member schools, and for the continued growth and strength of educationally based programs throughout Colorado.”
Currently serving as President of the CHSAA Board of Directors, he has also been a member of the Colorado Athletic Directors Association (CADA) Board of Directors, Colorado High School Coaches Association (CHSCA) President, and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Board. His CHSAA committee work includes serving on the Unified Bowling Committee and Classification Sub-Committee, along with previous work on the Tennis and Education committees.
As the Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Niwot High School, Brown led fundraising efforts for a weight room renovation and helped oversee construction of new tennis courts, a turf field and stadium lighting. He expanded athletic opportunities by adding boys volleyball, unified basketball and unified bowling, and hosted multiple regional and state playoff events across a variety of sports.
Under his leadership, Niwot’s programs won three team national championships, 21 team state championships and 102 individual state titles.
Prior to Niwot, at Roosevelt High School, Brown created a professional development track for head coaches through Positive Coaching Alliance, launched a Student Leadership Academy and established the school’s Hall of Fame.
Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his impact and leadership. He was named the 2023 NHSACA Colorado Athletic Director of the Year and is a recipient of the NIAAA Colorado Bruce D. Whitehead Distinguished Service Award (2021), the CHSCA Don DesCombs Distinguished Service Award (2017) and was recognized as a 2018 National High School Athletic Coaches Association Top 40 Under 40 award recipient.