IGHSAU Welcomes Erin Kirtley & Taylor Anderson to Staff

Erin Kirtley & Taylor Anderson Join IGHSAU Staff

Erin Kirtley of Panora and Taylor Anderson of Ankeny have been hired as the newest members of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union staff. '

“Erin and Taylor are familiar faces within our membership,” commented Executive Director Jean Berger. “They will help the IGHSAU continue to grow while providing even more opportunities to enhance the experience for the Iowa Girl. I am thrilled to have them on board.” 

Kirtley serves as the IGHSAU Associate Director in charge of outreach and educational efforts. Anderson is the Assistant Director for sponsorship and branding.  Kirtley is a native of Panora, attending Panorama High School. She graduated from Iowa State University in 2007 and received her master’s at Oklahoma State in 2010. She was an assistant Athletic Trainer at Oklahoma State and later served as the school’s Director of Athletic Operations.  Erin returned to Panorama in 2013, serving as the school’s Activities Director, At-Risk Coordinator and athletic trainer until 2021. Erin is the current 1^st Vice President of the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association Executive Board and was named the Southwest Iowa Athletic Director of the Year in 2020. Erin is a certified athletic trainer and has been a member of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association since 2007. 

 “I grew up an Iowa Girl, so representing the IGHSAU on such a high level brings a tremendous amount of pride and responsibility,” said Kirtley. “I look forward to becoming a vessel of support, education and opportunity for future generations of Iowa Girls.”     

Kirtley resides in Panora with husband Jason and their three children.     

Anderson, a native of Zearing and a graduate of Colo-Nesco High School, graduated from Wartburg in 1999 and received his master’s at Viterbo University in 2011. Taylor teached and coached at Williamsburg, Mason City and Ankeny. In 2017, he was named the second director of the Iowa Hall of Pride. Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Hall of Pride, Taylor was the lead fundraiser while developing student leadership programming and producing the Hall of Pride’s weekly YouTube show “Why Iowa?”  

  “It is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the IGHSAU,” said Anderson. “The Girls Athletic Union has been a trailblazer in providing opportunities for girls in interscholastic activities. I am looking forward to helping implement activities that celebrate the goals of the IGHSAU.”    

Anderson and his wife, Holly, reside in Ankeny with their three children.