San Rafael's Chelini Earns National Distinction

Two Marin County women – graduate Sue Chelini and Redwood athletic director Jessica Peisch – recently were honored by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association with recognition as Certified Athletic Administrators.

According to the NIAAA, Chelini, who currently serves at the Tamalpais Union High School District athletic coordinator, and Peisch earned the prestigious honor because they “demonstrated the highest level of knowledge and expertise in the field of interscholastic athletic administration.”

The women were chosen not only for their athletic experiences but also for having excelled in a written examination administered by the NIAAA in Palm Springs in May. Chelini and Peisch were among 10 California finalists at the time.

Chelini, a graduate of U.C. Davis who has a Masters from San Francisco State, has served many roles in the North Coast Section and is a past president of the Marin County Athletic League. She has been a member of the MCAL Board of Managers since 1994 and, as the Tam District athletic coordinator, she works together with athletic directors to support the athletic programs in the district.

“The CAA designation means a lot to me as recognition of the importance and the increasing level of complexity of interscholastic athletics,” Chelini said. “It is a pleasure and privilege to continue to facilitate the athletic program in the Tam District for student, parents and coaches.”

Peisch, a former soccer player at Fresno State who has extensive coaching experience in the sport, was the athletic director at Novato High before taking the same position at Redwood in August of 2009.

“This certificate and the training I received will help guide me to be a better athletic director and better serve the Redwood community,” Peisch noted.