Pinellas official takes FHSAA job
Bill Grey will be the associate commissioner for compliance.
By GREG AUMAN
Published July 8, 2004
Bill Grey has seen high school athletics from many perspectives: as a standout athlete, as a coach and principal, as a district administrator, as a proud parent, and soon, as the second-in-command for the state's governing body for high school sports.
Grey, a 56-year-old who has been a director of school operations for Pinellas County since 1993, was named Wednesday as associate commissioner for compliance for the Florida High School Athletic Association.
"I'm tickled to death, and honored," said Grey, who will start his new job Aug. 11. "After 34 years, it's time for a career change, and this is a job that still keeps me in touch with a lot of my colleagues."
Grey's hiring continues a pipeline from Pinellas to the FHSAA. Former deputy superintendent John Stewart was selected as the organization's next commissioner in June, and retiring superintendent Howard Hinesley is a former president of the FHSAA's board of directors.
In his new job, Grey will handle ruling on eligibility hearings, a touchy subject that requires a strong background in educational administration. Commissioner Bob Hughes said Grey stood out among three finalists because of his extensive experience. His demeanor and personality reminded Hughes of the man he'll replace, Dan Boyd, who stepped down to become superintendent of Alachua County schools.
"(Grey) has outstanding experience in education that well trained him for this position," Hughes said. "He had the best experiences of dealing with the responsibilities of the position. His references said he was one of the best listeners of anybody they've worked with, that he's extremely thorough, a man with tremendous patience who can work well with a staff of people."
Grey played football as the Grey Ghost at Boca Ciega High, graduating in 1966 and returning to the county after four years on the football team at Sterling College in Kansas.
At Seminole High, he spent nine years as an assistant football coach and was the Pinellas County Track Coach of the Year in 1972 and 1973. He was principal at St. Petersburg High for 10 years before taking his current job in 1993.
Grey's most recent brush with high school athletics was as a proud father. His daughters, Lori and Christa, helped Seminole to a state championship in 1998 and earned tennis scholarships to the University of Georgia.
His new job will pay him close to six figures - the associate commissioner's salary is set at 85 percent of the commissioner's. And while Stewart is still negotiating his contract, his job was advertised at $115,000 a year, which puts Grey's job at $97,750. He said he made about $90,000 in his job with Pinellas County.
The two other finalists considered for Grey's job were Pasco County athletic director Kit Broadbelt and Richard Williams, principal at Glendale Christian School in Vero Beach.
The FHSAA still has an opening for its associate commissioner of athletic operations, which Stewart held and will handle until he is elevated to commissioner in January. Hughes said that job will be posted in November or December.