Edmonds School District Director of Athletics Terri McMahan will be stepping down from her position at the end of December and then retire next June.
McMahan was granted a leave that starts on Dec. 26 and ends with her retirement on June 30. McMahan is leaving due to a family-related health issue.
A 1972 Mountlake Terrace High School graduate, McMahan joined the Edmonds School District as its athletic director in 1997 after spending 19 years in the Ferndale School District.
“It’s very tough on us,” said Edmonds School District assistant superintendant Ken Limon. “She’s just one of the best athletic directors in the state, no question. Her advocacy for kids is outstanding. She just develops wonderful programs for them. … She is a tireless worker.”
An interim replacement for McMahan is expected to be named next week, said Limon, who added that the position likely will be filled internally. The permanent position then will be posted in the spring.
“Terri leaves (the district) in such a good place, I imagine this will be a highly sought after position,” Limon said.
“She’s been a valuable asset to athletics and specifically the Wesco Conference,” Shoreline School District Athletic Director Don Dalziel said. “She’s going to be sorely missed not only by her school district but by the conference based on the leadership she’s given everybody.”
Dalziel added that McMahan was always willing to help out other districts and athletic directors.
“I always viewed her as a mentor in my first few years,” said Dalziel, who is in his fourth year as the athletic director at Shoreline.
McMahan served on the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Executive Board from 2002-04. She was on the Northwest District Executive Board from 2000-02 and 2005-06 was the Northwest District Executive Board President from 2005-06.
McMahan declined to be interviewed for this story. When she was formally approved by the school board in May 1997 McMahan said she thought her people and management skills were among the main reasons she was selected out of a field of three candidates.
“I think I have a strong background working with people,” she said. “I can take a project from inception to completion. I’m someone who can be counted on. If I say I’m going to do something, I’ll do it.
“I’m also known to be even-keeled. I don’t get too overexcited or overdistraught over anything that happens.”
McMahan began her career at Ferndale as a physical education instructor in 1978. She was the athletic director and technology coordinator at Ferndale High School when she was hired by the Edmonds School District.
McMahan coached volleyball and softball at Ferndale and led the school to a state championship in volleyball. She also was an assistant basketball coach at Ferndale and a volleyball coach at Edmonds and Everett community colleges.
McMahan received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Education degrees from Western Washington University.
Enterprise assistant sports editor Tony Dondero contributed to this story.
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