Klein stepping down as SHS athletic director

SANDPOINT — Cheryl Klein has worn many hats in a career spanning more than four decades in education: teacher, coach and athletic director being chief among them.

Klein, 61, has tendered her resignation as athletic director at Sandpoint High School, a post she filled capably for the past six years. As she reflected on her career recently, another word began to spring to mind: trailblazer.

“I’ve had a lot of opportunities to be the first of many things,” said Klein, who has worked in the Lake Pend Oreille School District since 1985. “I started teaching P.E. prior to Title IX, when there were no opportunities for girls to get scholarships. That’s probably the most exciting thing, to be a witness to how far we’ve come.”

Klein won’t officially retire until January, sticking around through the fall sports season while helping groom her replacement, who has yet to  be named. From there she’ll segue into the retirement phase of her life, which will include more tennis, some triathlons, and a rekindling of her second major in college — art.

One need only look at the bevy of state championship banners Sandpoint won during her tenure as athletic director to know how well she’s done her job the last six years. Sandpoint Middle School athletic director Dave DeMers said finding a replacement will be no easy task.

“She’s a workaholic. What she gives up, for what she gets back …,” said DeMers, wishing her the best in retirement. “People will realize all she did when she leaves. Hopefully we’ll get someone with that passion.”

That passion began long ago, when Klein started a tennis program while a student at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, where she would go on to become the first female from the school to ever compete in a national competition.

Three decades later she would start another tennis program from scratch, at Sandpoint High School. Today, more than 50 players turn out on a yearly basis to play for what has become one of the top tennis teams in North Idaho.

“Being able to build the tennis program and make it something kids want to be involved in,” said Klein of one of her biggest accomplishments. “I always want to see kids get involved. It’s so rewarding; that’s what life is about.”

Klein also had success as a cross country coach, leading Sandpoint to its lone state title in 2002. As the cross country coach in the early 90s, she coached Matt and Angie Brass, who are now stewarding a Bulldog program that has seen record turnout the past two years. Klein’s style had a huge impact on both current coaches.

“When we started thinking about coaching we used her as a role model,” said Matt Brass. “Really positive and absolute dedication; always prepared to get a lot out of her athletes.”

Klein, who has two kids, is looking forward to retirement and spending more time with her husband Jim. While she admitted the decision to step down was a tough one, she also feels she had a great run in a great school district.

“I’m fortunate to have an amazing and terrific career,” she said. “I’m so proud to be from Sandpoint. The people and kids are the best.”