DAPHNE, Ala. – United States Sports Academy alumnus Scott Garvis, who has worked as the athletics and activities director at Newton (Iowa) Senior High School for five years, will soon move into a similar position at Ankeny (Iowa) Centennial High School.
Garvis earned his Master of Sports Science degree in sports management from the Academy in 2005. A native of Worthington, Minn., Garvis has more than 20 years of experience as a coach and athletics administrator in Iowa, Minnesota and Washington. Garvis earned his Academy degree while working as athletic director and assistant principal at Muscatine (Iowa) High School.
“My education from the Academy has opened many doors for me throughout my career,” Garvis said. “Many of my foundational skills were developed at the Academy. My professors provided me with real world knowledge and skills to better serve my student-athletes and coaches.
“One of the key factors in my choosing the Academy was its focus on sport. I also enjoyed the professors and their insights into the sport industry.”
“I really enjoyed my time at the Academy,” Garvis said. “I had the opportunity to learn from professionals in the sports industry, and I learned practical skills which were essential in starting my career as a sports professional.”
At Newton, Garvis has a multitude of responsibilities. He schedules all interscholastic athletic contests for grades 7-12, hires officials for home athletic contests, schedules and manages all game-day activities on campus and acts as a liaison between the athletics and activities staff and school administration. He will have similar duties when he takes over at Ankeny Centennial this summer.
“I have enjoyed working with the Newton student-athletes and coaches in creating a championship climate culture for our community,” Garvis said. “I love what I do because I have the opportunity to work with some incredible coaches and student athletes. I get to use sport as a platform to teach life lessons. For me, it is all about relationships.”
Garvis is known as a lover of community sports and student-athletes. He earned his bachelor’s degree in historical sciences, political science and history from Westmar University in Le Mars, Iowa. He also holds an associate’s degree from Minnesota West Community College and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Garvis has also earned multiple awards and citations during his career. He earned a distinguished service award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association (IHSADA) in 2018 and the prestigious National Federation of State High School Associations Ken Beverlein Award in 2017, given annually in recognition of meritorious service.
Under his leadership, the Newton athletics department won the 2015 NIAAA Quality Program Award, given to schools that “build visionary athletic programs that stimulate improvement, innovation, renewal, operate with integrity, maintain respect for all participants, serve stakeholders and are responsible in the community.”
Garvis was a finalist for the 2014-2015 National High School Athletic Coaches Association Athletic Director of the Year. He was named the 2015-2016 Iowa High School Athletic Director Association Central Iowa Athletic Director of the Year. He is also a published writer, accomplished grant writer and athletics management and marketing consultant. He is a member of the Iowa Athletic Director’s Association and the NIAAA.
The United States Sports Academy is an independent, non-profit, accredited, special mission sports university created to serve the nation and world with programs in instruction, research and service. The role of the Academy is to prepare men and women for careers in the profession of sports.
The Academy is based in Daphne, Ala. For more information, call (251) 626-3303 or visit www.ussa.edu.
