Nick Rathmann will step down from his role as Blake athletic director at the winter break. He has accepted a position as director of sales and business development with SOAR Groups, an organization supporting and developing senior business leaders. 

When he joined Blake in 2005, Rathmann had just graduated from Augsburg University where he played baseball and basketball while majoring in elementary education. For seven years, he taught social studies in the Middle School and coached Blake varsity boys’ basketball.

“During his 2012 interview for the athletic director position, Nick explained how the athletic field was an extension of our classrooms and that invaluable teaching and learning happened there, says Blake Head of School Anne Stavney. “His philosophy, experience and work ethic were a perfect match for Blake’s program.”

As Blake’s athletics director, Rathmann has: been involved in eight major athletic facility projects; hired some 200 coaches per year; and supported students seeking to play college sports, parents learning about high school athletics and coaches honing their skills. He has restructured the athletics department staffing model to accommodate the growing complexity of youth sports and has been involved in the Independent Metro Athletic Conference (IMAC), Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) and National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).

Hugh Brown will serve as interim athletic director for the remainder of the school year. As Blake’s PK-12 physical education and wellness department chair and head coach of SMB Wolfpack football, Brown brings knowledge of Blake athletics, existing relationships with athletic directors across the IMAC and MSHSL and experience as a supervisor and coach of coaches. At his preference, Brown will return to his chair position when the permanent athletic director joins Blake in July.