Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COLUMBUS — The sudden and unexpected removal of Jerry Snodgrass as the Ohio High School Athletic Association executive director created plenty of questions.
But for now, the OHSAA Board of Directors aren’t offering any answers.
Snodgrass was replaced Monday by Bob Goldring on an interim basis, a move that even surprised him.
“Yes, I was kind of caught off guard about the interim position,” said Goldring who served as an interim director in 2015-16 when Dr. Dan Ross was having serious medical issues.
“With most of us working at home, we weren’t intimately involved in everything going on. I knew there were things that the board had discussed that they wanted resolved.”
There is a report Snodgrass violated confidentiality in a lawsuit.
Tim Stried, the OHSAA’s senior director of communications, informed the statewide media with an email.
“The Board of Directors felt it necessary to go in a different direction with OHSAA leadership,” Stried said. “We cannot go into more detail at this time.”
Stried added that the board’s move was not the result of one single action by Snodgrass in or out of the office, but had been an ongoing issue.
“The board is elected by school administrators and has the ultimate authority on all OHSAA matters,” he said.
Snodgrass assumed leadership duties in July 2018 when Ross resigned after 14 years at the helm.
Snodgrass is leaving after 12 total years with the OHSAA following a 31-year career in education as a teacher, coach and administrator.
While leading the administrative functions until a permanent executive director is selected, Goldring will also work closely with state government leaders and school district administrators in developing a plan for return to play in the fall.
The OHSAA will conduct a nationwide search beginning immediately to fill the executive director vacancy.
OHSAA Board of Directors President Dan Leffingwell announced the leadership change.
Goldring has served as the OHSAA senior director of operations and is completing his 25th year as a member of the staff.
“Through a collaborative effort, we look forward to Bob guiding us and, more importantly, the OHSAA providing guidance to our member schools on the anticipated re-start of interscholastic athletics this fall,” said Leffingwell, superintendent of the Noble Local Schools in Sarahsville.
“He brings a solid understanding of the association’s responsibilities to serve member schools and administer sports. Bob is a proven relationship-builder who will reliably serve our member schools until the position is filled permanently.”
Goldring is a graduate of Orrville High School and holds two degrees from The Ohio State University.
He joined the OHSAA in the fall of 1995 as director of information services, was promoted to assistant commissioner in June 2005 and served in that role until becoming senior director of operations in August 2008.
“I am honored by the confidence the Board has placed in me,” Goldring said.
“We have a solid team of knowledgeable and dedicated professionals at the OHSAA who are committed to serving our member schools. My top priorities are to prepare for return to play this fall and successfully lead the team until a permanent executive director is hired.”