LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Julian Tackett, commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, has announced his retirement from the organization effective later this school year. Tackett is the seventh commissioner in KHSAA history.
The KHSAA also announced the retirement of Senior Associate Commissioner Butch Cope, effective July 1, 2027, after 32 years with the association.
Tackett’s role and career
Tackett’s career with the association spans more than four decades. He currently manages football and postseason basketball. He is also responsible for constitution and bylaw interpretations, Board of Control meetings and agenda, association finances, state event sites and contracts, working directly with the General Assembly and the Board’s advisory lobby groups, association calendar, Sports Medicine, Hall of Fame, KHSAA Foundation, Annual Meeting, Regional Meetings, Athletic Director liaison and workshop, and strategic visioning to technology design and development.
During his time with the KHSAA, Tackett also managed wrestling, baseball, track & field, and business affairs.
“Mark Twain is attributed with the quote that says – The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why,” Tackett said. “For me, the day Tom Mills called my house to offer me the Sports Information job and I got into the work, was when I found that to be true, and it still is. And it has been that way throughout my journey. My career has been blessed with trials, tribulations, challenges, and accomplishments, all the while staying focused on helping keep kids involved in this great field of school-based athletics. I will leave with nothing but gratitude for the dozens of co-workers, hundreds of event workers, thousands of officials, school administrators and coaches, and literally millions of participants who have allowed me to have a small part in their high school experience. There will be time for more reflection and expression, especially about my co-worker and friend, Mr. Cope, but I plan to continue working as hard as I can for this association and its efforts until the next stop along my way comes into focus. My wife Donna is the best supporter and friend any high-profile administrator could find, and we look forward excitedly to new chapters.”
Expansion of sports and programs
Under Tackett’s guidance, the association has added sports and sport activities including Bowling (2012), Competitive Cheer (2012), Archery (2013), Bass Fishing (2013), Field Hockey (2014), Unified Sports Opportunities in Track (2015), Dance (2017), Esports (2018), Indoor Track & Field (2024), Boys’ & Girls’ Lacrosse (2025), and Boys’ Volleyball (2025). The KHSAA will adopt Pickleball and Girls’ Flag Football beginning with the 2027-28 school year. The association describes this as the greatest expansion of opportunities for student athletes in its 109-year history.
Tackett also oversaw the association’s development of the first statewide radio network for the Boys’ & Girls’ Sweet 16® and the development of its first public website. He guided the KHSAA’s governance efforts regarding middle school athletics beginning in 2013 and helped increase the number of licensed sports officials by creating the Junior Officials program for 14- to 17-year-olds in 2023-24.
National involvement
Tackett has served on numerous National Federation of State High School Associations committees, including Strategic Planning (chair), Football Rules (chair), Baseball Rules, Basketball Rules, Records, Hall of Fame (chair), Technology (chair), Sports Medicine, and NFHS Network (chair). He has given presentations at the NFHS Summer Meeting, NIAAA Conferences, and other conferences, commencement ceremonies, and local group meetings.
Tackett has also served on the Council on Standards for International Education Travel Board, serving five years as chair, and served on the National Association of Sports Officials Board of Directors from 2013-17.
The KHSAA’s Board of Control expressed appreciation for Tackett’s service. “On behalf of the Board of Control, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Commissioner Julian Tackett for more than four decades of dedicated service to the KHSAA, including 16 years as Commissioner,” said Damon Kelley, president of the KHSAA Board of Control.
Career history
Tackett’s career at the KHSAA started as Sports Information Director (1984-91) and evolved to Business Affairs Director (1991-95), Assistant Commissioner (1995-08), Executive Assistant Commissioner (2008-10), and Commissioner (2010-present).
Tackett received a Bachelor of Arts in computer science with a minor in economics from Transylvania University, where he was a four-year letter winner in the men’s basketball program. He holds a Master of Business Administration in finance and management from the University of Kentucky.
Tackett holds a CAA designation from NIAAA and is a member of the Kentucky Track and Cross-Country Association’s Hall of Fame and the Bryan Station High School Hall of Distinction. He has received other recognitions from stakeholder groups throughout the state, including coaching associations for football and wrestling, and the Kentucky High School Coaches Association. At the time of his retirement, he will be the longest-tenured full-time employee in KHSAA history and one of the three longest-tenured state association executive directors.
Cope’s role and career
Cope, in his 32nd year with the KHSAA, currently manages girls’ and boys’ volleyball, regular-season basketball, archery, and baseball. He also oversees the officials division and student services, including the HYPE student conferences, and serves as the liaison with the association’s marketing agent, TPG.
Cope previously managed competitive cheer, dance, boys’ and girls’ golf, boys’ and girls’ swimming and diving, and boys’ and girls’ tennis with the KHSAA.
“I’m thankful to former commissioners Louis Stout and Brigid DeVries and current commissioner Julian Tackett for the honor and privilege of working at the KHSAA,” Cope said. “A lot has changed over the years, and the opportunity for growth along the way has helped create memories that will last forever. To the many board members, staff members, event workers, host venues, officials, coaches, and administrators, thank you for the most rewarding career opportunity of which I hope I served well.”
At the national level, Cope has served on numerous NFHS committees, including Citizenship & Equity, Student Services (chair), Spirit Rules, and Volleyball Rules. He currently serves on the NFHS Officials Advisory Committee and the National Student Leadership Summit Planning Committee. Cope has presented at the NFHS Summer Meeting and the NIAAA Conference on several occasions and served as emcee of the 2014 National High School Hall of Fame Banquet. In 2016, he received a Citation of Excellence from the NFHS for contributions to high school sports and activities.
Cope’s career at the KHSAA began as Sports Information Director (1995-02), then Promotions & Media Relations Director (2002-08), Assistant Commissioner (2008-13), Associate Commissioner (2013-25), and Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief of Staff (2025-present).
Prior to the KHSAA, Cope spent two years with Host Communications in the printing and publishing division following an internship with the University of Kentucky Athletics Association. Cope received a Bachelor of Administration in business marketing and a Master of Science in sport management from the University of Kentucky.
At the time of his retirement, Cope will be the second-longest tenured employee in KHSAA history, as well as the second-longest tenured associate director among the 51 state high school associations.