Christopher Riker
Portage
Summary
Dynamic Director of Athletics with a proven track record at DeKalb High School and Portage Northern High School excelling in athletic program development and relationship building. Expert in budgeting and fundraising, successfully enhancing community partnerships to support athletic initiatives. Committed to fostering a positive environment for student-athletes through effective communication and strategic planning.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Athletics
DeKalb High School
07.2025 - Current
- Recruited and interviewed individuals for coaching jobs and other athletic department staff positions.
- Supervised student grades for eligibility requirements and collected paperwork for annual physicals.
- Oversaw coach salaries, pay rates and all other program budget aspects.
- Arranged transportation for athletes to participate in away games, tournaments and other events.
- Ordered equipment for all sports and kept meticulous records on athletic equipment inventory.
- Built trust with athletes and coaching staff by being courteous, respectful, responsible and professional at all times.
Director of Athletics
Portage Northern High School
06.2005 - 06.2025
- Coordinated transportation,scheduling, and budgeting for the athletic department
- Developed community relationships with local business to generate funding
- Developed comprehensive plan for athletic department that supported and aligned with mission and vision of institution.
- Worked with numerous vendors to procure goods and services through a bidding process
Representative Council Member
Michigan High School Athletic Association
11.2017 - 06.2025
- Serve as one of nineteen members on the MHSAA board of directors to analyze, evaluate, and implement state wide polices and procedures and develop an annual budget
- Represented 50+ schools as their voice within the Michigan High School Athletic Association
President/Vice President
Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Managed executive board to oversee association budget and annual functions for coach/player education
- Implemented new policies and practices to ensure optimal functioning of the organization
- Built relationships and collaborated with various vendors to serve as donors/sponsors for the organization
Teacher/Coach
Portage Northern High School
08.1998 - 06.2005
- Prepared instructional materials for group and one-on-one use to comply with established curriculum.
- Delivered customer service to library patrons in-person, by telephone or electronically.
- Explained library rules, policies and procedures to resolve patron issues.
- Provided assistance to faculty and staff by teaching classes, conducting orientation programs, and issuing transcripts.
Education
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership/Athletic Adminsitration
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI08.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Education- General Science Studies And Physical Ed
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI05.1993
Skills
- Paperwork Processing
- Customer Support
- Problem Solving
- Market Research
- Relationship Building
- Athletic program development
- Coordination of facilities
- Event management
- Effective customer communication
- Verbal and written communication
- Scheduling coordination
- Fundraising expertise
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 60+ coaching staff members.
- Certified Master Athletic Administrator through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association
- Achieved office efficiency and productivity by introducing Final Forms and Schedule Star for daily administrative task tasks.
Certification
CPR Certified
Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA)
Timeline
Director of Athletics
DeKalb High School
07.2025 - Current
Representative Council Member
Michigan High School Athletic Association
11.2017 - 06.2025
Director of Athletics
Portage Northern High School
06.2005 - 06.2025
President/Vice President
Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association
01.2000 - 01.2004
Teacher/Coach
Portage Northern High School
08.1998 - 06.2005
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership/Athletic Adminsitration
Western Michigan University
Bachelor of Arts - Education- General Science Studies And Physical Ed
Calvin College
MIAAA Region 5 Athletic Director of the Year
Selected as the Athletic Director of the Year in Southwest Michigan Region for service and dedication to promoting the values of educational athletics and providing student-athletes with positive experiences.