The tears and appreciation for the late Art Wagner continue to flow.

The beloved friend of many of the state’s high schools sports administrators was honored Monday posthumously during the Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association's annual conference in Prescott. Wagner was awarded the AIAAA’s Distinguished Service Award during a luncheon that also honored a handful of the state’s current and retired administrators.

Wagner passed away in May, but his legacy of skillfully bringing diverse groups to the table to reach a consensus was noted Monday. During his 25 years of distinguished service to different high schools, Wagner’s roles ranged from security guard to the executive director of support services for the Higley Unified School District and Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Board President.    

Wagner’s wife, Kat Hughes, Higley Elementary and Middle School’s principal, accepted her late husband’s award as the AIAAA’s members stood and clapped.

AIAAA 2013 award recipients

Richard Ormand, Blue Ridge High. Zig Kwiatkowski Rookie Step to the Plate award

Joanne Curley, Seligman High. Class 1A Athletic Director of the Year

Nate Agostini, Horizon Honors High. Class 2A AD of the Year

Don Petranovich, Winslow High. Class 3A AD of the Year

Jeff Feldman, Greenway High. Class 4A AD of the Year

Mike Sivertson, Peoria Unified School District. Class 5A AD of the Year

George Allen, sports broadcaster. Special Service Commendation

Robert M. Delgado, President, CEO of Hensley. Frank Kovaleski Professional Development Award

Derek Fahleson, Estrella Foothills High. State Award of Merit

Herman House, Tucson Unified School District Director of Interscholastics. Nominee for National Federation of High Schools Citation Award

AIAAA Hall of Fame inductees

John Blabe, Antelope High

Jerry Gastellum, Cholla High

Patrick Witter, Buckey High