Jamy Bechler

Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.

  • Home
  • About
  • Store
  • Blog
  • SEARCH FIRM
  • Podcast
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Speaking
  • Training

Apr 16 2020

Episode 142: Karissa Niehoff, NFHS Executive Director

Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff is the executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is the first female to head the national leadership organization for high school athletics and performing arts activities and the sixth full-time executive director of the NFHS, which celebrated its 100th year of service during the 2018-19 school year. She previously was executive director of the Connecticut Association of Schools-Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference for seven years.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • The state of high school athletics (recorded prior to Covid-19)
  • Advice for how parents can help their kids best
  • Challenges & opportunities facing high school athletics
  • Qualities of great coaches
  • … and so much more!!!

Listen & Subscribe: iTunes | Soundcloud | Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher | tunein


Click here to see a list of all podcast episodes


Resources, Books, and Links 

Website: NFHS.org

Articles of Interest . . .

  • High School Football is Thriving, not just surviving
  • Thanks to NFHS Network, viewership of high school sports continues to climb
  • Karissa Niehoff Selected to USA Football’s Board of Directors
  • Parents: “act your age”
  • Officiating Courses Offered Free
  • Karissa Niehoff Selected as NFHS Executive Director

Past “Success is a Choice” podcast episodes of interest . . .

  • Patti Phillips (Women Leaders of College Sports) – Episode 127
  • Kara Lawson (NBA coach & former WNBA star) – Episode 114
  • Jon Gordon (author of “The Energy Bus”) – Episode 100
  • Keith Grabowski (USA Football) – Episode 083
  • Travis Daugherty (Sports Parenting Expert) – Episode 063
  • Bobby Cox (IHSAA Commissioner) – Episode 019
  • Betsy Butterick (Communication expert) – Episode 013
  • Dwane Casey (2018 NBA Coach of the Year) – Episode 001

This Episode is Sponsored By Audible

Today’s podcast is brought to you by audible – get a FREE audiobook download and 30-day free trial (new subscribers only) at www.audibletrial.com/SuccessIsAChoice. Over 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, Kindle or mp3 player.  Our friends at audible are offering a free download of some of our past guests including Todd Gongwer, Kevin Harrington, Lolly Daskal, Bob Burg, Amy Morin, Michael Burt, Larry Winget, Jon Gordon, and Pat Williams). Take advantage of this great deal by visiting www.AudibleTrial.com/SuccessIsAChoice.


Rate and Review

Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a quick review on iTunes.  Ratings and reviews are the lifeblood of a podcast. This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others.

You can tell your friends on Twitter about this episode by sharing the tweet below or spreading the word by using the share buttons below.

Listen to great insights from Karissa Niehoff
Click To Tweet

Thanks again for listening and remember that “Success is a choice. What choice will you make today?”

Click here to see a list of all podcast episodes

Jamy Bechler is the author of The Leadership Playbook, host of the Success is a Choice Podcast, professional speaker, and trains organizations on creating championship cultures. Bechler spent 20 years as a college basketball coach and administrator. He has worked with businesses and teams, including the NBA. Follow him on twitter at @CoachBechler. To connect with him via email or find out about his services, please contact speaking@CoachBechler.com. You can also subscribe to his insights on success and leadership by clicking here.

You May Also Like ...

Written by Jamy Bechler · Categorized: Podcast Episodes, Sports, Teams & Organizations · Tagged: Bob Gardner, Bobby Cox, Coaching, concussions, high school athletics, IHSAA, Karissa Niehoff, Keith Grabowski, Leadership, NCAA, NFHS, parents, student leadership, Student-Athlete Leadership, Student-Athletes, usa football

Tweets by CoachBechler

Featured Blog Posts

  • 3 Types of Teams During March
  • Storming the Court
  • Content of Our Character
  • 2 Flat Tires
  • Only Thankful Person
  • 9 Things to Avoid as a New Coach
  • Honoring Fallen Teammates
  • Labor Day
  • Bay College Partners with Bechler Leadership for Softball Search
  • Halfway Point

Blog Categories

  • Business
  • Job Search
  • Leadership
  • News
  • Personal Growth
  • Podcast Episodes
  • Sports
  • Teams & Organizations

Sign Up For Leadership Insights

Join Thousands Of Others Who Follow Jamy On These Platforms:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 · Jamy Bechler · Providing Insights on Leadership and Success · site design: red letter design