Meet Athletic Director Heather Flock
ISM Athletic Director Heather Flock has spent her entire life surrounded by athletics, whether at the YMCA in Red Wing where she was employed for more than 30 years, as a lifeguard instructor, or owner of a 25-year-old fitness business. Sports are at the center of nearly everything she does.
With one daughter in college and a son graduating in 2022, Heather was ready to grow professionally. In 2021, she began looking for her next position. Once she read ISM’s mission, she knew she’d found the right fit.
“Families care about teaching life skills, not just athletics and academics. And that’s what I care about, as an athletic director, but also as a parent,” said Heather. “That jives with my personal and family values.”
Being an AD is a multifaceted job. Heather spends her time facilitating after-school athletic programs, teaching swimming, strength-training and other classes, and coaching intramurals. She even coordinates ISM’s summer camp and brings her lifeguard training experience to help camp counselors earn their lifeguard certification. She’s one of only three known female athletic directors in the Twin Cities and says she has found a supportive network to help her navigate all the demands of the role.
“A male AD just down the road from us has taken me under his wing. He said he’s paying it forward because my predecessor here at ISM did the same for him,” Heather says.
It’s one very busy sports department. ISM offers a variety of non-contact sports, including gymnastics, basketball, soccer, track and field, swimming, volleyball, pickleball, badminton, and ultimate frisbee. The school debuted a professional grade golf simulator in 2021 with a junior and senior elite golf academy featuring instruction by PGA-certified pros. A new disc golf course opens in the Spring of 2022.
Heather wants to share the school’s many offerings. “It’s my dream to open these up for community use. Group fitness classes will be coming, along with water aerobics. Our community will be able to use the golf simulator and our disc golf course.”
Heather is clearly enthusiastic about her school home, where she hopes students not only excel in academics, but give sports a try, too.
“I’m a fan of sports – Go Packers! But sports are more than that. They’re about getting together as a family and engaging in an activity that you can do for the rest of your life. Sports teach a lot of life lessons.”
Read more about Heather’s plans for ISM Summer Camp 2022 here.
