Longtime Palmer High activities director earns national honor

PALMER — Even though Michael Janacek has been retired for more than a decade, the longtime Palmer High School activities director continues to dedicate himself to youth and high school sports.

Recently, Janecek was recognized nationally for his dedication, service and involvement.

Janecek was awarded a citation from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

“It was humbling to go all the way to Philadelphia for the awards ceremony,” Janecek said recently.

Janecek was one of a dozen from across the nation to receive the award, a distinguished honor typically reserved for those who have spent 30 or more years involved in high school sports. Janecek and the other honorees received their citations during the NFHS Summer Meeting in Philadelphia on July 1. After he was nominated for the award, Janecek was chosen to be recognized by the federation based on a career in education that included 24 years at Palmer High and another year at Mat-Su College.

Janecek was a coach, teacher and activities director at Palmer High. He was hired in 1976, started coaching the track and field and cross-country running teams, and continued coaching until 1990. In 1989, he was named the school’s activities director and continued in that position until he retired in 1999.

“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Janecek said of his career in education. “It’s a wonderful experience in my life.”

Janecek has also been a fixture within the Alaska Schools Activities Association as a volunteer and tournament director for countless state events. Janecek continues to help host tournaments and major running events in the state, and is regularly a public address announcer for ASAA events and Palmer High sporting events.

He has long been an advocate students and athletics.

“I guess I’ve always thought education is not really complete without some involvement in some activity. Not necessarily just sports, but some type of activity to complement the education,” Janecek said.

Janecek said he feels honored that someone thought of him worthy of a nomination.

“My involvement in high school sports has been as much about working with the athletes as it is with my colleagues,” Janecek said.

Janecek remains a fixture in the community and said he’ll continue to be involved in high school sports.

“I don’t plan on going anywhere,” he said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.