By Blake Chadwick

Wichita Heights’ Mike Church has been named the KIAAA Athletic Director of the Year. 

Church has been an athletic director for eight years, starting at Wichita North and then returning to Wichita Heights, where he had previously been the wrestling coach for eight years. 

“I have always loved athletics in all areas,” Church said. “I have a true love and appreciation for all sports, especially at the interscholastic level. So having the chance to be involved in the day-to-day of every sport and to be able to truly listen to our athletes and coaches, learn from them and serve them in multiple different capacities has been an honor.”

And though the KIAAA Athletic Director of the Year award is prestigious, Church has won an award that’s even more important – his fight against cancer. 

In February 2021, an oncologist told Church that he had approximately six months to live after being diagnosed with Glioblastoma-Multi Form cancer that forced him to have brain surgery to remove a tumor. 

“Through my faith in the love of Jesus Christ, through prayer and petition and love from my wife Laura, son Kendric, Pathway Church and my amazing Wichita Heights community, all my scans have been clean and show no cancer on the brain,” Church said. 

Church did six initial weeks of radiation and chemotherapy followed by 12 months more of chemo again. 

With the win against cancer, Church has been able to truly embody the Heights Falcon way when it comes to athletics. 

“The students here are amazing. Many of them come from some tough circumstances that no kid should have to deal with,” Church said. “They are resilient. On top of that, the coaches and staff in this building have the ability to build relationships with those kids.”

Church credits his faith with the reason that he shows up to every event with a smile, energy and positivity.