Becker Activities Director Dave Niemi has been awarded the Region 8AA AD of the Year at the Minnesota Interscholastic Activities Administrators Association (MNIAAA) banquet at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.

Niemi was given the award by Matt Mattson of Champlin Park, MNIAAA’ 2nd Vice President.

“Dave Niemi is one of the hardest working people I have ever worked with,” said Activities Assistant and Coach Jesse O’ Neill. “He spends countless hours at Becker Public Schools making sure events run smoothly, student athletes and participants are honored, community members are involved, and that coaches, advisors, event workers, our trainer, and others feel supported.”

“Dave has very high expectations for himself and those around him; the success that Becker Activities have had over his tenure is proof of this.” she continued. “I have enjoyed our years working together and look forward to many more.”

“Dave Niemi has been a great supporter of our track and field program at Becker as well as all Becker sports,” said Boys Track Coach Paul Schmidt.

“Dave does an excellent job of supporting our program while allowing us to do our job and coach. He has always been very upfront with our budget and has worked with our program to obtain the necessary items needed to give our athletes success. I have never once hesitated sitting down and talking with Dave as he always brings a warm and welcome feel to our meetings. I’m excited for Dave to receive this award.”

“Dave is one of the most organized people I know,” said Becker Softball Coach Jason Baune.

“He and Jesse (O’Neill) work very hard to make sure that scheduling is taken care of, officials are procured, and events run smoothly. He is also very flexible when it comes to working with coaches to give them the ability to run their programs in a manner that works for them.”

I think Dave’s biggest strength is that he wants what is best for students,” Baune continued. “He genuinely wants every Becker student to participate in one or more activities and he wants it to be the best experience possible for each and every one of them. He understands what high school activities are supposed to be about and he encourages coaches to build programs around those beliefs. It’s been great to get to know Dave and work with him to support our Becker student-athletes.”

“Dave Niemi is very deserving of this award,” said Performing Arts/Choir Director Gretchen Bordson.

“He always strives to create equity among all high school activities. Dave has been extremely supportive of fine arts, whether it be helping facilitate or helping to organize our events, to simply showing support by showing up to these events.”

“I am thankful Dave Niemi is such a great leader in this position because our Becker High school students reap the benefits of having strong, successful activities and programs,” she continued. “Congrats, Dave!”

“From my vantage point, Dave Neimi has such a strong understanding of activities in the overall mission of education,” said Becker High School Principal Dave Kreft. “He has said multiple times this year that he is a teacher first. While managing so many diverse programs, he knows how successes and challenges in activities teach so many lessons that are carried throughout life.”

“Dave is very collaborative with colleagues and I value the perspective he brings to conversations, as he knows the need of coaches/advisors and students.”

Niemi has not only impressed coaches and staff at Becker schools, but is recognized by his peers in neighboring towns.

“I’ve known Dave for a number of years dating back to his days as the Crosby-Ironton Activities Director,” said Buffalo HS AD, Tom Bauman.

“He received this award because of the high level of respect he has from his colleagues,” he said. “Safe to say there is peer agreement about his strong professionalism, activities insight, his dedication, and the composed, sensible, and student-centered approach he brings to work supporting kids in Becker and greater Minnesota. I have been in Buffalo 20 years as the activities director and I am a better educator because of the time I have been able to spend with Dave Niemi.”

“Dave was selected by the 16 Activities Directors that make up Region 8AA,” said Monticello AD, Gary Revenig. “He is held in high regard by his fellow AD’s. Dave’s strong work ethic and passion for his job is noticed by all of us who’re fortunate to work with him. He is extremely organized, and he is always quick to respond to others.”

“I know many Region and M8 AD’s trust Dave, and they lean on him for advice,” he continued. “We’re proud to recognize him for his outstanding service.”