Editor's Note: The original version of this story mentions Mark Koski will be managing subscribers, which is untrue. This has since been corrected. The Daily Lobo apologizes heavily for the misinformation.
The National Federation of State High School Associations has chosen University of New Mexico alum Mark Koski as their new CEO. Koski has a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s degree in sport administration.
The NFHS network is an online streaming network for all high school sports and activities throughout the country including: championship games, speech and debate, music, drama, band and others.
Koski said the network is a great way to showcase student activities associated with their high schools.
As CEO, he will be managing a team based out of Atlanta, Georgia.
At the end of the year, NFHS’ goal is to eventually livestream every event that takes place at the high school level, Koski said.
This will make the events “accessible for the grandparents and aunts and uncles and friends who aren’t able to attend these contests,” he said. “And for them to see these great things that these high school students are doing and how creative they are — that’s a big goal of ours over the next several years as the team starts to really get to work.”
Koski credits a lot of his success to UNM, which he believes helped him prepare for the type of position he is taking on.
“New Mexico got me on the right career path to help me become successful in a job like this,” he said. “Managing a hundred employees is quite the undertaking when it comes to this network and what we’re trying to do and accomplish.”
After graduating from UNM, Koski became a teacher and a coach before working for the New Mexico Activities Association, which oversees high school sports and activities throughout New Mexico.
His interest in and love of sports came early on.
“I was part of the Lobo track and field team from 1995 to 1999. I really enjoyed that time, but I knew my foundation was at the high school level,” Koski said. “I had such a love for high school that I wanted to go back to teach and coach at the high school level, and I also worked my way up through the administration world there but my love for New Mexico, my love for the University of New Mexico was stronger than ever.”
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In an employee, Koski looks, first and foremost, for a passion and a drive for success, he said.
“I believe that’s very important. Sometimes, you’re not able to teach those,” Koski said, explaining that passion can make someone a first-class employee. “I believe that’s going to set them up for successes in all that they do.”
Koski advises UNM students to pursue their passion.
“Find your passion and stick with your passion and do a great job of that, and you’ll be able to work your way up throughout the ranks,” he said, adding that every day is a job interview and everyone needs to be the best employee on the floor.
“If you have the same attitude for Monday that you have for Friday, it will be shown in your quality of work,” Koski said. “That will really help you go up the ladder in the company or organization you are working.”
Nichole Harwood is a news and culture reporter at the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com, culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Nolidoli1.
