Flaten Selected Overall Montana AD Of The Year

Glasgow High School Athletic Director (AD) and Irle School Vice Principal Brenner Flaten wears many hats, not only for the school district, but the community, his family and the Montana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA). In addition to his already many duties and accolades, he was recently honored by the MIAAA as the 2022 Montana Overall AD of the Year. Annually, the MIAAA recognizes an AD of the Year in each of the four classifications (AA, A, B and C) as well as an overall selection. The overall AD of the Year is an All-Class recognition that is made up of 182 member schools.

"I only found out a few days before the ceremony when the President called me," stated Flaten. "I had to have someone lined up to present me and I immediately wanted to ask Mr. Sundby [superintendent of Glasgow Schools]. It was a complete surprise, as I don't expect to receive awards or receive recognition for the work in this position."

This is Flaten's ninth year as AD in Glasgow Schools, and 16th year in public education, as he worked seven years teaching and coaching in Wyoming before returning home. A 2002 high school graduate of Glasgow, he knew before graduating high school that he wanted to be involved in athletics and activities. "As a sophomore I knew I wanted to be a coach. I wanted to attend college to be a teacher and play football. When I was coaching and teaching in Wyoming, I had the opportunity to complete my Masters in school administration to become a principal and AD. I was fortunate enough to finish my Master's degree five months before this position opened at Glasgow," explained Flaten. In addition to his normal work duties, he has also served as tournament director for 46 Montana High School Assocation (MHSA) post season events over the past nine years, including playoff football, district and divisional volleyball, basketball, track and field as well as divisional wrestling, softball and golf.

He is also very community involved, co-directing the Chatten Memorial and John Hahn tournaments in Fort Peck, is the founder and tournament director for the past 24 years of the Milk River Classic, is on the board of the Montana Catfish Association as vice president and is the chair of the Scottie Field Recharged Committee. He also serves on the Two Rivers and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture boards, as well as serves on a number of different committees. In addition to all of those duties, among many others, he also supports his family of wife Allison and four girls, ranging in age from seven months to seven years.

"Though I was named AD of the year, my wife is the wife of the decade. She is in my corner the whole time and is super supportive. My wife is flexible and is absolutely fantastic. She supports me because she knows this is my passion. Three of my girls are old enough to be involved and are at all of the home events, in their plaid every weekend. They don't know anything different," explained Flaten on raising another generation of Scottie pride. "They say they have three homes, the house, the high school and the wrestling building."

In the fall of 2021, Flaten become only the fourth Montana AD in history to earn the distinction of Certified Master Athletic Administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Association. He is also the current President of District 2B and Vice President of the Class B Association. He is a current MCA Clinic Chairmen and serves on numerous statewide committees. He is the past President of the NE MIAAA Chapter, where he was honored as the region's AD of the year in 2017-18.

"I am a senior member of the 2B District and Northern B. I want to be that way for the state and be there for younger ADs. It's my way of helping and giving back. I want to bring a level of professional development to help ADs better their craft or bring different ideas and get people more involved at the national level. Being an AD is difficult because of the position. It requires time and has lots of demands on nights, evenings and weekends. Having an AD be in the position for 10 years is a rarity," Flaten told the Courier.

His dedication and hard work certainly shows, as at the end of their annual meeting in Missoula, in addition to being selected overall Montana AD of the Year, he was also elevated from the Class B Director position to President of the statewide organization.

The MIAAA has been handing out AD of the Year awards since 1977. Flaten is only the second Athletic Director ever from the District 2B Conference to win Overall AD of the year in Montana. Malta High School's Scott King earned the same recognition in 2017. Glasgow High School has only had one other recipient in the past 47 years, Bob Farrell was Overall Montana AD Of the Year in 1980 when the Scotties were in the Eastern A conference.