Officials of the Arizona Interscholastic Association and long-time administrators and coaches from around the state were saddened to learn of the death on Saturday of Tony Komadina, Jr., 83, the AIA’s Executive Director from 1976-87.

Komadina also helped establish closer ties between the AIA and Arizona State University for the purposes of enhancing state football championships and state tournaments in other sports.

“He was a visionary in many ways,’’ said Tony III. “He wanted to see as many blue-chip athletes as possible stay in the state, that it would give Arizona a higher profile all the way around. The tournaments would provide more visibility for them. And he always said that the improvement of girls’ sports was one of his prouder accomplishments.’’

He also was principal at Marana High School, near Tucson, and was Marana’s superintendent of schools until joining the AIA.

Current AIA Executive Director Dr. Harold Slemmer  was an assistant football coach at McClintock High in Tempe during a large part of Komadina’s tenure with the AIA.

“He did a fantastic job. You could learn a lot being around him. He loved kids and he loved high school sports. He always seemed to have a smile on his face.’’

“We had some nice conversations,’’ Slemmer said. “He continued to enjoy the tournaments, and he was very enthusiastic about the progress we have made in all areas, particularly with girls’ sports.’’

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 14 at the Shadow Rock Church, 12861 N. 8^th Ave. (near Thunderbird Road). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, 85014, or to the Friends of the Arizona Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4696, Scottsdale, 85261.