Robert Polk
School District Athletic Director

Robert Polk graduated from South Kitsap High School in 1984 and went on to attend the University of Puget Sound, where he played football and earned NAIA All-American honors in 1988 and Outstanding Senior in Physical Education in 1990. He was an assistant football coach at Wilson High School before moving back to South Kitsap High School as an assistant football and boys’ basketball coach, and PE and Math teacher. Robert completed his Masters of Science in Physical Education at Central Missouri University and was an assistant men’s basketball coach from 1994-1996.

Polk returned to the Northwest as an assistant boys’ basketball coach and teacher for South Kitsap High School for one year before taking on the role as head boys basketball coach at Olympic High School. In 2000, he was given the responsibility of Athletic Director. He served as a coach, teacher, and Athletic Director until 2004, when he accepted a position with the Everett Public Schools as the Director of Athletics where he served until his death in April 2021.

Polk was a well-recognized leader, holding offices throughout Washington state and beyond, such as the Snohomish County Basketball Officials Association (President), Northwest District One (Director, President & Executive Board), and the Washington State Secondary Athletic Administrators Association (President, Vice President & Board). In April 2022, Robert was inducted posthumously into the WSSAAA Hall of Fame. He also served on a variety of committees for the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. He was awarded WSSAAA Athletic Director of the Year (2015). Polk was also the recipient of the NAIAA Award of Merit in 2015.

His work for the Western Athletic Conference included managing the scheduling of all sports for the 21-school league. Much of his work serves as the blueprint for these organizations today. Polk was well known for being a champion of equity and inclusion, which were reflected in his decisions and advocacy for student-athletes. He served as a mentor to many Athletic Directors, where his skills and approach to leadership, set the standard in his field. He often reminded associates to “Honor the Game.” Robert Polk leaves a lasting legacy of outstanding performance across the region.