Minutes of the September 30, 1968 meeting of the Mississippi Valley Conference athletic directors states: "Following a lengthy discussion concerning the role of the athletic director, Hill moved and Brees seconded, that Sweet, representing the M.V.C., write Mark McLarnan and the Iowa High School Athletic Association stating that our conference desires and will initiate the formation of a statewide Athletic Directors' Association. Motion was carried. A meeting for the purpose of organization and discussion of goals to be held in Des Moines on Thursday, October 17, 1968, at 9:30 am, at a place designated by Dr. Norm White of Des Moines, whom Sweet will contact. Each M.V.C. athletic director is to send a form letter to all "named" athletic directors published in the 1968-69 I.H.S.A.A. Directory, according to the following assignments: Bettendorf, pages 1-7; Clinton, pages 8-14; Dubuque, pages 15-21; Jefferson, pages 22-28; Iowa City, pages 29-35; Kennedy, pages 36-42; Muscatine, pages 43-49; and Washington, pages 50-55." . . .
Fifty-seven (57) athletic directors from across the state attended the organizational meeting on October 17, 1968, at the Hoover High School in Des Moines. After much discussion, it was moved and seconded that we organize a separate Athletic Directors' Association, independent of any other organization. Motion carried, Bob White, A.D. at Iowa City, was elected as our first president; with Kermit Tannatt, A.D. at Southeast Polk, and George Hidinger, A.D. at Jefferson, Cedar Rapids, being elected to the office of vice-president and secretary respectively. Dues that first year were $3.00, and thirty-eight (38) A.D.'s paid their first year dues at this meeting. Among other items, it was decided to hold annual state conventions, and the first state convention was held at the Ramada Inn in Iowa City, on May 2 and 3, 1969. Thus, it was that our Iowa High School Athletic Directors' Association was born, and the breath of life was breathed into that organization by qualified and dedicated leaders, district directors, and association members.
The original constitution and by-laws of our association were adopted during the business meeting of our first state convention in Iowa City, on May 2-3, 1969. The constitution provided for an executive committee, consisting of two (2) directors from each of five (5) districts, as designated by the I.H.S.A.A., as well as the elected officers.