Sports: Football
 

Sports: Basketball, Softball, and Volleyball

Karen Hoyt is an Assistant Executive Director at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, a role she has excelled in since joining the organization in July 2017. Hoyt holds both a B.S. in Kinesiology and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Administration from Southeastern Louisiana University. Her primary responsibilities at LHSAA include overseeing volleyball, boys' and girls' basketball, softball, and the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame. 

With over 25 years of experience as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and administrator, Hoyt brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her distinguished career in athletics is highlighted by her induction into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018. Additionally, she served on the Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2014 to 2016 and is a member of the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame Committee.

Sports: Gymnastics and Powerlifiting
Officials and Sportsmanship

Lee Sanders joined the LHSAA in 2018 as an Assistant Executive Director. His responsibilities include officiating, sportsmanship, sports medicine, powerlifting and gymnastics. Sanders also serves on the NFHS Football Rules Committee. He earned his B.A. in English/History from Ole Miss in 1995 and a M.Ed. from Northwestern State in 2003. The Alexandria native is a National Board Certified teacher who was a multi-sport LHSAA official for 20+ years.

Sports: Baseball, Bowling, Soccer, and Swimming

Michael Federico joined the LHSAA in September of 2019 as an Assistant Executive Director. Federico earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from LSU in December of 2023. He manages a diverse portfolio including administrative duties for swimming, soccer, bowling, and baseball, as well as overseeing all IT and finances. Hailing from New Orleans, Federico combines his local insights with his professional expertise to drive success and innovation within the organization.

Sports: Bass Fishing, Cross Country, Tennis, Wrestling, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field

Adam D. MacDowell has served as an Assistant Executive Director at LHSAA since July, 2017. With a robust educational background, Adam holds a Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri - Columbia (2002), a Masters of Education in Secondary Education from the University of Missouri - St. Louis (2007), additional graduate hours from Truman State University (2010), and a Masters of Education in Educational Administration from the University of Missouri - St. Louis (2012). His primary responsibilities include overseeing Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field, Tennis, Wrestling, Bass Fishing, and managing school violations. Adam's previous roles include teaching Precalculus and serving as Assistant Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at Catholic High Baton Rouge, LA (2014-2017), as well as teaching Algebra I and coaching Boys and Girls Cross Country and Track & Field at Central High Baton Rouge, LA (2012-2014). Before that, he taught Algebra I & II and coached Boys Cross Country and Track & Field at Parkway South High School in St. Louis, MO (2004-2012).

Adam's athletic background is equally impressive, having competed in Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track at the University of Missouri - Columbia from 1997 to 2002, where he served as Captain of both teams in his senior year. His collegiate achievements include receiving the MU Track & Field Coaches Award in 2002 and earning 8 All Big 12 distinctions in Track and Cross Country. Adam's notable accomplishments also extend into his marathon running career, with a win at the 2015 Louisiana Marathon and achieving strong finishes in prestigious events such as the Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and Houston Marathon. MacDowell was also a participant in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon wih a 37th place finish at a time of 2:17.27.

Originally from St. Louis, MO, Adam and his wife Sara have one daughter, Madeline, one son Simon, and their dog Albert. His diverse experiences in education, athletics, and leadership underscore his dedication and passion for promoting sports and academic excellence within the LHSAA community.

Sports: Swimming, Baseball, Bowling, Swimming and Special Olympics

Sports: Golf

Eric Held joined the LHSAA in 2019 as LHSCA Director after a 25-year career as a teacher and coach.  In his role as LHSCA Director, Held oversees the annual Coaches Convention, LHSCA All-Star events, LHSCA coaches’ cards, national coaches’ awards and professional development, along with the LHSCA Scholarship program.  Held is the Director of Golf for the LHSAA and works with the LHSAA Executive Director to coordinate the sport of football.  He is the Section III rep for the NFHS Coaches Advisory Committee, on the NHSACA Board of Directors, a member of NOCAD, and an Advisory Member for the LFCA.  Held received his undergrad from Nicholls State University and completed his master’s in educational leadership from LSU-Shreveport. 
 

Sports: Esports

As of July 2024, Ethan Anderson is the newest addition to the LHSAA staff. As Director of Communications, he oversees all aspects of the organization's communication strategy. Prior to joining the LHSAA, Anderson honed his skills with LSU Athletic Communications as a graduate assistant for two years (2022-24). Anderson spent the majority of his time at LSU working closely with the men's golf and women's basketball programs. 

Anderson's foundation in sports communication began during his undergraduate studies at McNeese State University, where he spent four years as a sports information student assistant. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from McNeese State University (2021) and a Master’s degree in Sports Management from LSU (2024). A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Ethan is married to his wife, Lindsay, and they share their home with their beloved dog, Steve.

Sports: Football

Kathie Smith joined the LHSAA in July 2018 and now serves as the Executive Director's right hand. In 2009, Smith graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s degree. Smith provides exceptional support to the Executive Director, plays a key role in coordinating the Football Championships, and ensures the smooth operation of the Executive Committee. In addition, she keeps the LHSAA Handbook up-to-date and is instrumental in planning the annual Hall of Fame Event. Kathie is a native of Baton Rouge and has one dog, Izzy

Sports: Basketball, Softball, Volleyball

S. Lacy Macdiarmid serves as the Administrative Assistant at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, supporting the Executive Director, Mrs. Karen Hoyt, since July 2011. Macdiarmid obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in December 2004. Her primary responsibilities include assisting Mrs. Hoyt in managing volleyball, boys' and girls' basketball, and softball activities, as well as collaborating with LHSCA Director Eric Held on all-star games, the summer coaching clinic, and coaching cards.

Macdiarmid has always had a dedication to athletics as she played softball throughout high school and participated in flag football during her college years. Her passion for sports and commitment to the community were recognized when she was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the LSCA in 2022. Originally from New Orleans, Lacy grew up on the Northshore and brings a deep-rooted understanding of Louisiana's athletic landscape to her role.

Alexis Hart joined the LHSAA team in the Spring of 2021 as an Administrative Assistant. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Administration with a minor in Business, which she earned from LSU in December 2020. In her role, Hart is dedicated to managing the administrative aspects of several sports, including Track and Field (Indoor and Outdoor), Cross Country, Tennis, and Wrestling. Her organizational skills and passion for sports administration contribute significantly to ensuring the smooth operation of these programs. Hart is a native of Baton Rouge.

Emma Hutchinson is an Intern at LHSAA, starting in Fall 2024. She recently graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a B.S. in Kinesiology - Health Sciences in August 2024. As an intern, Emma assists everyone in the office with various tasks and projects.

Emma has a strong background in athletics, having played softball at Louisiana Tech University from 2020 to 2024 and at Holden High School, where she also participated in basketball from 2015 to 2020. During her time at Tech, she was part of the 2022 C-USA Regular Season Champion team, received the 2022 C-USA Spring Spirit of Service Award, and earned a spot on the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll four times. Her high school career was equally impressive, with three LHSAA Softball State Championships and two LHSAA Basketball State Championships.

Emma is the daughter of Rusty and Jill Hutchinson, and she hails from Holden, Louisiana.