April 24, 2024

Doperalski to join KSHSAA staff as Assistant Executive Director

Topeka, Kan. (KSHSAA)–The Kansas State High School Activities Association is pleased to announce Kyle Doperalski will join the staff on July 1, 2022, as an Assistant Executive Director. Doperalski was selected in a national search from a strong field of candidates. His primary responsibilities will be administering the activities of cross country, basketball and track & field. Doperalski has served in the athletic department at the University of North Dakota for the past ten years as the Associate Athletic Director for External Operations.

“As a native Kansan, Mr. Doperalski had significant positive impact in his work at the intercollegiate level,” said KSHSAA Executive Director, Bill Faflick. “We are pleased he is coming home and believe his skill set and expertise will provide the perfect complement to the KSHSAA staff in leadership and support of member schools. He is an outstanding choice to fulfill the duties so capably administered previously by Ms. Martin (Francine).”

The Wamego High School graduate was the sport supervisor of the track and field and cross-country programs in his role with the North Dakota Athletic Department. Doperalski (pictured below) led the offices of communications, marketing, broadcast properties, video production and licensing. He was the department’s liaison with Learfield-IMG College and Midco Sports Network, the second tier TV partner of the department as well as the liaison with FOX/Bally Sports North, the third tier TV rights holder for UND. Doperalski also served in the secondary sport supervisory role for football and men’s basketball. Previously he served as sport supervisor for soccer, softball and men’s and women’s tennis.

“I’m honored and humbled to become part of the KSHSAA team,” Doperalski said. “Having competed under the KSHSAA umbrella while making lifetime memories I know first-hand the importance education based interscholastic activities play in the holistic development of Kansas kids. Each day I will do my very best to carry on the great work of past and present staff, as they passionately serve Kansas students, coaches, administrators and officials. I will strive to further the tradition of excellence established by Fran Martin and the entire Association staff.”

Doperalski brings a wealth of experience administering events. He led North Dakota’s game management efforts from 2012-18 and served as tournament director for the 2014 Big Sky Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament and 2015 Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Final Faceoff. He played a key role in the bid process and served as tournament director as North Dakota hosted multiple NCAA Hockey West Regionals, including 2015 (Fargo N.D.), 2017 (Fargo, N.D.) and 2018 (Sioux Falls, S.D.).

After competing in multiple sports for the Wamego High School Red Raiders, he went on to become a ‘T-Bird’ at Cloud County Community College where he completed an associate degree in 2002. Doperalski earned National Junior College Athletic Association All-American honors in track and field and cross country while setting two school records. 

 

A 2005 graduate of the University of Nebraska, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism (emphasis in broadcasting), Doperalski was an All-Big 12 performer in track and field as the Huskers claimed four Big 12 championships In 2011, Doperalski earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois in recreation, sport, and tourism with an emphasis in sport management.

Doperalski also served at New Mexico State University where he created, developed and implemented the television network “Aggie Vision,” which provided regular live coverage of football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball. In 2008, Doperalski was recognized as the top national volleyball broadcaster by the American Volleyball Coaches Association in the annual Grant Berger Media Awards. The New Mexico Rivals.com site honored Doperalski as the 2012 New Mexico Sports Executive of the Year for putting together the state-wide high school football live radio shows.

Doperalski, his wife Elizabeth, and their two children will reside in the Topeka area as he begins his service at the KSHSAA on July 1.