Kentucky High School Athletic Association Commissioner Julian Tackett is retiring at the end of the 2026-27 school year.
Tackett, who has spent more than four decades with the organization, made the announcement on Monday.
He’s the seventh commissioner in KHSAA history, starting his career with the KHSAA in 1984 as a sports information director.
“Mark Twain is attributed with the quote that says – The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why,” Tackett said. “For me, the day Tom Mills called my house to offer me the Sports Information job and I got into the work, was when I found that to be true, and it still is. And it has been that way throughout my journey. My career has been blessed with trials, tribulations, challenges, and accomplishments, all the while staying focused on helping keep kids involved in this great field of school-based athletics.”
From his first position with the KHSAA to the commissioner’s office, Tackett has played a central role in the growth and evolution of high school athletics across Kentucky.
His career progression included serving as Sports Information Director from 1984-91, Business Affairs Director from 1991-95, Assistant Commissioner from 1995-2008, Executive Assistant Commissioner from 2008-10 and Commissioner from 2010 to the present.
As commissioner, Tackett has overseen football and postseason basketball while also managing constitution and bylaw interpretations, Board of Control meetings and agendas, Association finances, state event sites and contracts, legislative relations, the Association calendar, sports medicine, the KHSAA Hall of Fame, KHSAA Foundation, Annual Meeting, Regional Meetings, athletic director initiatives and strategic planning.
Over the course of his KHSAA career, Tackett has also managed wrestling, baseball, track and field and business affairs.
Perhaps his most lasting impact can be seen in the expansion of opportunities available to Kentucky student-athletes. Under Tackett’s leadership, the KHSAA added Bowling and Competitive Cheer in 2012, Archery and Bass Fishing in 2013, Field Hockey in 2014, Unified Sports Opportunities in Track in 2015, Dance in 2017, Esports in 2018, Indoor Track & Field in 2024, Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse in 2025 and Boys’ Volleyball in 2025.
The Association has also adopted Pickle Ball and Girls’ Flag Football, which are scheduled to begin with the 2027-28 school year.
Tackett also oversaw several major technological and organizational developments during his tenure. The KHSAA launched its first-ever public website and developed the first statewide radio network for the Boys’ and Girls’ Sweet 16®. He also guided the Association’s governance efforts involving middle school athletics beginning in 2013.
In an effort to address the need for more officials, Tackett helped create the Junior Officials program for ages 14-17 during the 2023-24 school year, providing another avenue for young people to become involved in high school sports.
Despite the breadth of his accomplishments, Tackett said his career has ultimately been about the people and students who make school-based athletics possible.
“I will leave with nothing but gratitude for the dozens of co-workers, hundreds of event workers, thousands of officials, school administrators and coaches, and literally millions of participants who have allowed me to have a small part in their high school experience,” Tackett said. “There will be time for more reflection and expression, especially about my co-worker and friend, Mr. Cope, but I plan to continue working as hard as I can for this association and its efforts until the next stop along my way comes into focus. My wife Donna is the best supporter and friend any high-profile administrator could find, and we look forward excitedly to new chapters.”
The KHSAA Board of Control also recognized Tackett’s service to the association and the state’s student-athletes.
“On behalf of the Board of Control, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Commissioner Julian Tackett for more than four decades of dedicated service to the KHSAA, including 16 years as Commissioner,” said Damon Kelley, president of the KHSAA Board of Control.
When he retires, Tackett will be the longest-tenured full-time employee in KHSAA history and one of the three longest-tenured state association executive directors in the country.
And Tackett won’t be the only longtime KHSAA leader stepping away.
Senior Associate Commissioner Butch Cope has also announced his retirement, effective July 1, 2027, ending a 32-year career with the association.
Cope currently oversees girls’ and boys’ volleyball, regular-season basketball, archery and baseball. He also manages the officials division and student services, including the HYPE student conferences, and serves as the liaison with the Association’s marketing agent, TPG.
Over his KHSAA career, Cope has also managed competitive cheer, dance, boys’ and girls’ golf, boys’ and girls’ swimming and diving, and boys’ and girls’ tennis.
“I’m thankful to former commissioners Louis Stout and Brigid DeVries and current commissioner Julian Tackett for the honor and privilege of working at the KHSAA,” Cope said. “A lot has changed over the years, and the opportunity for growth along the way has helped create memories that will last forever. To the many board members, staff members, event workers, host venues, officials, coaches, and administrators, thank you for the most rewarding career opportunity of which I hope I served well.”
His KHSAA career began as Sports Information Director from 1995-02, followed by positions as Promotions & Media Relations Director from 2002-08, Assistant Commissioner from 2008-13, Associate Commissioner from 2013-25 and Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief of Staff from 2025 to the present.
When Cope retires, he will be the second-longest-tenured employee in KHSAA history and the second-longest-tenured associate director among the nation’s 51 state high school associations.
Together, the retirements of Tackett and Cope will mark the departure of two of the most experienced leaders in the KHSAA, closing a combined career of more than seven decades dedicated to Kentucky high school athletics.
