PIERRE – As Jo Auch prepares to hand off the baton, she is finishing a remarkable run.

Auch is completing a 16-year career as assistant executive director of the South Dakota High School Activities Association. Her last events are this week’s state softball tournaments, and next week’s state golf.

“It’s starting to get real. Everybody asks how many days I have left and I say I have ‘x amount’ of state events and now we’re down to two,” Auch said. “I have golf and softball that are left, and after that it’s a lot of years of pride and a lot of years of dedication and support for our schools and things of that nature. I’m going to miss it, there’s no question about it. I love what I do, I love what I’ve done, and it’s time to hand the baton off to somebody else and let them run with it.”

Auch, who spent 26 years in education at Menno, received the SDHSAA baton from Ruth Rehn, a pioneer in support of girls’ sports.

When the positioned open, Auch was interested, but wasn’t sure anyone would be interested in her.

“When the job opened up, it was one of those where I thought about it,” Auch said, “but small town USA, who am I to try to get a job like that?”

Once Auch landed the position, she completely understood the big shoes she was stepping into. Rehn had set the bar high when it came to her accomplishments with the SDHSAA.

“She did so much for girls’ athletics in the state of South Dakota,” Auch said, “and I remember when I took the job I was just hoping that I didn’t mess anything up along the way.”

Auch took the baton and hit the ground running, paving the way for more girls to participate in sports than at any time in state history.

“It’s been fun. We have added some things. We were able to get girls’ wrestling, soccer, softball, and cheer and dance up and running a little bit more,” Auch said. “Ruth started it and kind of handed the baton off. I’m thankful. I’m so fortunate to be able to give these kids an opportunity to compete for state titles in those sports.”

The crowning jewel for Auch was the sanctioning of softball last season. While it came a bit later than desired (South Dakota was the final state in the country to sanction softball), it was a defining moment and one that involved the cooperation of numerous individuals.

“That was an ah-ha moment. We talked about it for about four years,” Auch said, “and finally at the AD’s conference I remember talking to them, and saying ‘Hey, we either have to do this or not and why can’t we make it work and all these other states can?’ Just a joint effort from the athletic directors and the schools and saying yep, it’s time for us to get it rolling.”

There have been numerous changes since Auch arrived at the SDHSAA and not all of them in the athletic arena. She was worked with various individuals such as Wayne Carney, Bob Lowery, and Ken Pickering and has outlasted them all.

“There were 10 people in the office when I started and I’ve officially run everybody out of the office,” Auch said with a laugh.

Along the way, she learned many valuable lessons from her fellow staff members, and became an invaluable asset in the association.

“They helped me to build and understand what the association was all about and what needed to be done in that,” Auch said. “I think the one thing I learned the most from that group is that we are a service organization and it’s our job to serve our schools. I tell people all the time, that if I could give anybody a piece of advice, listening skills are probably what you need the most in this job.”

Somehow it is only fitting that one of the final duties of her professional career brings her to Aberdeen this week for the state softball tournaments. While Auch enjoys helping with events throughout the state, there is something special about the Hub City.

“Aberdeen is family. When I go to Aberdeen, I think the whole community knows who I am and I appreciate everything that they do. They just roll out the red carpet,” Auch said. “When we come to town with our events, the red carpet is rolled out and they treat everybody like they are the most important activity in town and we can’t ask for any more than that. So it’s been a great, great working relationship with Aberdeen, no question.”

Auch, who has a granddaughter that lives in Dickinson, N.D., is looking forward to spending more time going to her events and whatever other opportunities that present themselves.

“I want to be able to spend a little more time with some family and do a little traveling,” Auch. “I don’t know exactly what it is yet, but everybody asks what’s next and I say, whatever I want. That’s kind of the answer right now. I’m hoping that it will be a great choice.”

Like the one the SDHSAA made when it hired Auch in 2008.

With the recent exploits of Caitlyn Clark in women’s basketball, it’s safe to say the spotlight on females in sports has never shined brighter.

“Caitlin Clark has just lit the world on fire for what she’s done for women athletes and things. There were so many before as well, but she really has taken the bull by the horns and done a lot for us,” Auch said. “Where’s it heading? I hope it continues to climb. I hope that kids have the same opportunities to continue to shine and move forward in everything that they do.”

Auch has certainly played a key role in championing girls’ sports and has had a blast doing her part along the way.

“It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a dream come true,” Auch said. “This job at the SDHSAA has been fantastic and just given me a lot of opportunities that I might not have had down the road.”

As Auch prepares to extend her hand to give the baton to her replacement Kristina Sage of Freeman, she does so with a heart full of memories that begins and ends with the people she has interacted with during her years of servant leadership.

“I’m going to miss people. I think that’s the thing I’m going to miss the most is the relationships that we’ve built in all these communities, it’s not just in Aberdeen, it’s not in Sioux Falls, it’s all over,” Auch said. “Everybody treats us so well when we come to that, and I’m proud to be a part of the SDSHAA, I’m proud to be a part of the state of South Dakota, and I’m proud to have the relationships with the people that I do.”