There are some people who simply make life easier.
Whether it is through their work or through random acts of kindness, things seem to hum along smoothly without so much as a hiccup or a bump in the road thanks to their efforts. Those people don’t always get noticed, but the things they do are very much appreciated.
At Mercer Island High School, Ann Meisner is one of those people. For nearly 14 years, Meisner, 63, has worked as the high school’s athletics and facilities coordinator, organizing games and schedules for all of Mercer Island’s athletic teams and keeping track of its athletes.
“The time has just come,” said Meisner, whose last day will be Jan. 20. “This is a great job. It takes a lot of work to do this job. My husband’s been retired for five years and it’s time that I join him.”
It’s easy to overlook how much planning and preparation goes into putting on athletic events. As the athletics and facilities coordinator, Meisner fills a lot of cracks that otherwise would be empty.
Routine game management includes overseeing which sports team has what field or gym space reserved for which time and day. Officials need to be locked down, travel arrangements need to be made. Schedules need to be communicated with everyone from players to parents, coaches to administrators, as well as to the public and the press.
“The name of this game is not only double-checking, but triple-checking and quadruple checking because a mistake could impact a team, it could impact a team and parents, it could impact a visiting team and depending on the sport, it could impact a lot of fans,” Meisner said. “Everything needs to be as perfect as possible and that’s what it’s all about. It’s a big job.”
Meisner has done her part to make sure the operation has run fluently. Mark Jergens-Zmuda, associate principal and athletic director at Mercer Island High School, has worked with Meisner since he was hired in the spring of 2014. He called Meisner a stellar employee who cares about every sport and athlete.
“[Ann] being the veteran as I [was] the new person coming into our school district, she helped share history and past practices and was kind of my right hand when it came to working with coaches and booster clubs in order to make our athletic program as strong as it is today,” Jergens-Zmuda said. “She helped with referees, with scheduling, with buses. She’s just fantastic and multitalented.”
Meisner’s time on Mercer Island dates back prior to her tenure with the high school. In 1980, she began working as the youth, adult and family services director at the Stroum Jewish Community Center. Meisner worked at the SJCC for 22 years before taking her job at Mercer Island High School in February 2003.
Shortly after coming to the high school, Meisner incorporated her tradition of providing volunteers at the high school football games with warm beverages and treats at halftime.
“My first football season was the fall of 2004. Dick Nicholl was still the coach. He had a crew of guys who had been with him on the chain gang since God knows when,” Meisner recalled. “In the press box, there were a group of guys, volunteers, who had been in the press box for years. And I don’t know, it’s cold out there during football season. I just started bringing the chain gang hot chocolate for halftime. And then it kind of got into cookies, because I have a big sweet tooth, and sometimes some apples to try and have something healthy. I’d bring the press box food, too. Those games are three hours long. [Volunteers] are here at 6:15 p.m. and they may not leave until 9:45 p.m. or 10 p.m.
“I thought that was nice. It just felt hospitable to me, especially to the guys standing out there in the cold and the rain.”
Meisner said she loves working football games, which gives her a chance to see the community come out in force. Some of her other memorable experiences while working at the high school include going to the Rose Parade in Pasadena with the band program in 2006 and 2012.
“The other highlight for me is working with people who are really, really good and they have really good hearts and they’re all working for the betterment of kids,” Meisner said after taking a brief pause. “Whether they’re a teacher, or a person helping teachers, or a coach who is spending hundreds of extra hours to organize their teams and help their kids play well and build character, just to be around all these really good people and working with them and supporting them has been a highlight.”
With so much to keep track of in the athletic office, one could easily become overwhelmed. Meisner said what has helped her stay on top of her work has been the support of her fellow co-workers.
“Lots of people say I do lots of work, but I can’t do my work without other people’s help,” she said. “I need people’s help in order to do this job and I appreciate that. You can’t do it alone, it’s really about building relationships.”
In retirement, Meisner said she’s looking forward to spending time with her husband of 33 years, Jim. The two have lived in the same house in northeast Bellevue for over 30 years and have two adult children: Aaron, 28, and Eli, who is 25.
“I’ve loved being here. I’ve loved being part of this community and I’ve loved working with all of the people that I’ve worked with. It’s just been really, really, really great,” Meisner said. “But the time has come. And at some point, the time has to come.”
