Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

For the past 15 years BJ Mayer has enjoyed leading the girls basketball program at West High.

Now Mayer will get a chance to do what he has wanted to do since arriving at West High more than a decade ago – lead the entire athletic department.

In what he called a ‘dream job’ Mayer will take over as the activities director at West High on July 1 after being approved for the position by the school board on Tuesday evening.

Mayer will replace Craig Huegel who accepted a position as the Activities Director and Assistant Principal at Benton Community High School.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time leading the girls basketball program but to be able to lead the whole program at West High is really a dream job for me,” Mayer said. “With the time I’ve spent at West High over the last 15 years and the relationships I’ve built this really became a job that I dreamed of being able to have.”

In taking over the activities director position Mayer steps away from coaching after 27 seasons including the last 15 at West High where he turned the Trojans into one of the top programs in the state.

Mayer directed West High to all seven state tournament appearances in program history leading the Trojans to the semifinals six times, the state championship game three times and two state titles.

West High went 11-5 in state tournament games under Mayer winning the 4A title in 2012 and the 5A crown in 2018.

Mayer also directed North Iowa and Spirit Lake to the state tournament before taking over at West High and owns a career 386-175 record including a sparkling 258-82 mark at West High.

“I’m sure the closer we get to the season I’m going to be missing it, and it was a hard decision,” Mayer said. “There are a lot of factors that go into it. I enjoy what I am doing, it’s become more of a year-round job and sometimes that wears on you. I know it sounds weird because you are going to (activities director) and that is a fully year-round position, and there will be lots of challenges and stresses involved in the position, but I think for me and my family it will be more of a steady challenge.”

A decision will be made if West High will name an interim girls basketball coach or hire a new coach for the 2022-2023 season.

It will be Mayer who aids in selecting his successor as one of his first moves in his new position.

“15 years ago Marv Reiland and Dr. Arganbright took a chance on me,” Mayer said. “And over those 15 years people have said I would leave or go here or there but I’ve become a West High guy. I want West high to be very successful I want our kids and coaches to do well my and just my love for west high was a big part of it.”

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