By Jo Mathis / AAPS Editor
For the past 18 years, Michele Heiney has served as the athletic administrative assistant at Huron High School, where she has been instrumental in supporting the school’s athletic programs.
“Michele is a dedicated administrative assistant with a diverse skill set,” says Huron High School Athletic Director James Trush. “Her expertise and support in the Athletic Office are invaluable. Her passion for sports and unwavering commitment to Ann Arbor Huron are evident in her strong work ethic, dedication, and loyalty. Michele is an invaluable asset to our team, and Ann Arbor Huron is fortunate to have her.”
Beyond her primary role, Heiney assists with graduation ceremonies and student enrollment and serves as backup for the book depository at the beginning and end of each school year. She is an active member of the Ann Arbor Huron Staff Sunshine Committee and currently serves as the AAEA Office Professional President.
Heiney has also made significant contributions to the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA), where she serves as the administrative assistant committee co-chair, helps plan annual and mid-summer conferences, and oversees administrative assistant awards.
In fact, she was just named the 2025 MIAAA Administrative Assistant of the Year.
Her extensive background in athletics includes serving as a cheerleading coach for over 15 years. She was a certified USASF Level 4 cheer coach, served as cheer director and treasurer for the LAYA organization, and coached for Michigan Xtreme, Midwest Xplosion, and Wolverine All Star cheer clubs before spending four years as the head cheer coach at Huron.
Heiney is the mother of her son, Justin, and her late daughter Caitlyn, and has seven grandchildren: Chase, Bentley, Carter, Cali, Stephen, Michael, and Cayden.
After 18 years as athletic administrative assistant at Huron High School, what accomplishment are you most proud of?
Earning this award as the Administrative Assistant of the Year which is picked and recognized from my Peers in the Athletic offices around the state. I am very honored and humbled as it is with great pride that I do my job here and wherever or whatever it is to the best of my ability and to be recognized for that is truly special to me.
How has your role evolved during your tenure at Huron High School?
At one point there were 5 people in the athletic office overseeing all the day-to-day operations of athletics. Now we have just myself and the AD running 36 sports.
What challenges have you faced in managing the athletic office, and how have you overcome them? The day-to-day changes you start off thinking you are going to get XYZ done on a day and it can all change in a minute. I take a deep breath, go with the flow, and do what I have to get done based on my priority at the time.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
The coworkers and especially my Huron family.
What do you like about working at AAPS, and at Huron in particular?
There is a sense of family here and still keep in touch with some of my kids’ teachers who have retired from here, as well as other staff that are no longer here as well.
How do you balance your responsibilities in the athletic department with your role as AAEA Office Professional Union president?
Sometimes that can be challenging. However, I ask for help from other members of the Union Collective Bargaining team.
What systems or processes have you developed to create what former principal Janet Schwamb called an “effective and efficient athletic office”?
You have to be organized and create relationships where you can ask others for help and know when to do that. I rely on my team here as well as with all the other jobs I do from Union, Athletic event supervisor, MIAAA
What skills from your medical office administration background have translated well to your current position?
Being organized and disciplined.
How has your experience as a cheerleading coach influenced your approach to supporting student-athletes administratively?
I love working with kids and watching them grow from students to adults. I let them know that they are Students before athletes and they also have jobs within the team to do to get the success that comes from putting in the work on and off the field, court, etc. Just being there to help them along the way with whatever I can.
What advice would you give to new athletic administrative assistants just starting their careers? Lean on your peers and don’t be afraid to ask for help! Take Deep breaths and pause when needed.
How do you manage the high-stress periods of the athletic calendar? Do what is the priority for the day and then go down the list to get everything done
How do you collaborate with coaches, parents, and students to ensure smooth operations across all sports programs? Try to have as much correct and current information as possible on the website and be clear and concise when giving information to everyone!
What values or lessons do you hope to instill in your seven grandchildren?
Love, hard work, and honesty.
How do you recharge given your demanding professional schedule and family commitments?
Family comes first, which has hit me even more so after losing my daughter two years ago. You have to take time for yourself as tomorrow is never promised, and we are not any good to anyone if we don’t have some “me” time.
How do you spend your summers?
I’m a 12-month OP so in summers I like to travel and spend a lot of time with family especially my daughters’ boys whom I do not see as much throughout the year.
As someone with talents in multiple fields, including cosmetology, how do these diverse interests enrich your life outside of work?
I treat people with respect and as individuals as everyone is unique and has their own story. I have learned so much from just listening to people’s stories and with all the years that I did hair and in the medical field seeing all ages and backgrounds from premies to people in their 90s I have learned and seen so much.
