Ankeny is the Right Place for New School Athletic Director

Some may think that Kevin Biggs is a little out of his element in Ankeny.

But for the 37-year-old California native, who is the new athletics and activities director for the Ankeny Community School District, that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Even though I come from California, I am not a California boy – I truly was meant to be here,” Biggs said. “The ethics and the value of people that live here are lost in other parts of the country, and I made the decision that my children need this kind of environment to grow up in.”

Biggs officially began his tenure with the district on July 1. His role will be to supervise all athletic and activity programs throughout the district.

Biggs grew up in central California in a town where life moved at a “slower pace.” His dad was president of the school board, from whom Biggs said he learned his good work ethic.

Biggs attended University of the Pacific to play baseball, but during his time there he obtained a degree in music. Following college, Biggs spent time working in the business world before realizing it was not a career that would make him happy.

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” he said. “I didn’t follow my heart right out of college.”

Biggs received his credentials in business education, choral music and introductory music from National University. He taught special education and eventually received his Master’s degree in educational leadership.

In 2003, he became assistant principal and led the athletics and activities departments for Mission Viejo and Trabuco Hills high schools in California.

Biggs said he and his wife, Jodi, who originally is from Altoona, decided to move to Iowa so they could be closer to Jodi’s family. Biggs and his wife have two children, 5-year-old Ben and 2-year-old Will, with another on the way.

Biggs’ first impression of Ankeny was that it’s a “small community that thinks big.”

“This district is so progressive and so ahead of the game,” he said. “That’s really fun and exciting for me.”

Biggs took the job in Ankeny over others, he said, because he wanted to be a part of the district’s future as it splits into a two-part feeder system with two high schools.

His goal for year one with district, Biggs said, is simply to fit in.

Following his introduction to the district, Biggs will spend a lot of time getting kids accustomed to their new schools and surroundings and also getting to know the directors, coaches and their concerns.

“I really need to get in and get dirty,” Biggs said. “I plan on touring all the schools and asking a lot of questions.”

Eventually he hopes to build bigger, stronger programs for the changing district.

“We have to find a system that works for everyone,” he said. “We can’t do things the same way we’ve always done them.”

Between all his official duties, Biggs will find solace in the best part of his job – the students.

“I want to use my creativity to create opportunities these kids are going to love,” he said. “I want to make their experience here better than they can possibly imagine.”