RENTON, Wash. (Wednesday, April 22, 2015) – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) named high school coaching legend Al Hairston the 2016 3A, 4A State Basketball Tournament Manager.
The Michigan native is no stranger to the 3A, 4A State Basketball tournament after qualifying in 14 of his 18 years as head coach. Hairston also served as the Tournament Manager for the 3A State Basketball Tournament in 2007 and 2008 when the tournament was held at both Key Arena and Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
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| New 3A, 4A State Basketball Tournament Manager, Al Hairston |
Hairston’s responsibilities as the tournament manager include hiring a staff, preparing and distributing pertinent information to qualifying teams, working and assisting in assigning of officials and coordinating with the WIAA staff.
“Al has been a tremendous coach, mentor and advocate for high school basketball in the state of Washington,” WIAA Executive Director Mike Colbrese said. “His State experiences as a coach and tournament manager ensure that we will be able to carry on Washington’s great basketball tradition.”
Hairston recently retired from his coaching position at O’Dea High School, where he spent five years at the helm of the boys program. Prior to O’Dea, Hairston has coached at Kent-Meridian, Rainier Beach and Garfield. During his coaching tenure at Garfield, Hairston captured five state championships. In addition to high school coaching, Hairston was the Seattle School District Athletic Director for six years.
“This is a terrific opportunity to stay connected to the basketball community and give back to a sport that has done so much for me,” Hairston stated. “I am excited to be involved again with management of the 3A, 4A State Basketball Tournament".
Hairston replaces Dean Naffziger who spent nine years as the 3A, 4A State Basketball Tournament Manager. Naffziger was a previous WIAA Executive Board Member when he was the Rochester High School Principal and was also the 2003 Gareth Giles Memorial Recognition Award recipient.