Erich Martens, currently the principal at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, has been recommended as the next executive director of the Minnesota State High School League.

Martens, a former high school coach and president of the MSHSL’s board, was named Minnesota High School Principal of the Year in 2013 by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals and was named Central Minnesota’s Principal of the Year in 2012.

He was selected from a pool of three finalists who were named earlier this week. Also under consideration were Mindy Chevalier, community education director and assistant principal at Belle Plaine High School and Troy Urdahl, activities and facilities director at St. Anthony Village High School.

“Erich Martens’ credentials are [as] impressive as his interviews,” wrote the selection committee, in a statement. “We strongly believe he is an excellent choice to lead the MSHSL.”

Martens attended St. John’s University and St. Cloud State University and worked as a math teacher before becoming an administrator. He has been principal at Sauk Rapids-Rice for more than a decade.

He has accepted the position pending approval of the MSHSL’s board of directors, which will hold a special meeting on Monday to act on the selection committee’s recommendation. If approved, Martens will replace Dave Stead, who has been executive director since 1988.