North Coast Section names Bri Niemi as its next commissioner

WALNUT CREEK - As Bri Niemi was unanimously voted in as the next commissioner of the North Coast Section, the conference room filled with the section's Board of Managers at Del Valle Education Center didn't just acknowledge the moment - they rose to meet it.

Applause broke out almost instantly, filling the room as years of steady, behind-the-scenes work gave way to a new kind of spotlight, one that now places Niemi at the center of a section she has helped shape for nearly two decades.

The NCS named Niemi as the section's next commissioner at Friday's Board of Managers meeting. She will be the section's fifth commissioner in the last 54 years and first woman to hold the title.

The Board of Managers unanimously voted 43-0 to approve Niemi as commissioner and ratify her contract. Niemi is set to make $227,000 starting next school year and will begin her term on Aug. 1.

She will take over from current commissioner Pat Cruickshank, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

"I am truly honored to be standing in front of all you," Niemi said. "It’s humbling to play even kind of a small role in something so special. I also recognize the tremendous legacy that’s been built here, by Pat, Gil (Lemmon), Tom (Ehrhorn) and Paul (Gaddini). And so I have big shoes to fill and I’m excited for the opportunity."

Niemi, 46, served in the section's administration for the last 17 years. She was the assistant commissioner for 10 years starting in 2008 and has been the associate commissioner since 2018.

As associate commissioner, Niemi oversaw 10 sports, including football, basketball and softball.

Niemi joins former Central Coast Section commissioner Nancy Lazenby Blaser as the only female commissioners across the two biggest Bay Area sections.

"It's incredible. I'm so excited to share a different perspective and to be the first female in this role is exciting," Niemi said. "I just hope it shows all our female student athletes that they too can be whatever they want to be in athletic administration."

Prior to her positions with the NCS, Niemi was the Pac-12's assistant commissioner for three years.

But as she steps into the role, she won't just be inheriting a title. She'll be walking into a dramatically shifting high school sports landscape.

In an era where transfers have become more frequent and the ripple effects of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities are beginning to reach even the high school level, the job of a section commissioner now extends far beyond scheduling championships and enforcing long-standing bylaws.

Niemi said she wants to build on the education-based athletics system, but does see some ways the section can modernize as high school sports change.

"I think we need to build upon what's already there, and while we can certainly do that, we can also modernize too," Niemi said. "I think there's a lot of pressing issues in high school athletics.

"I think that we're always going to have transfers and eligibility and championships. Those are always going to be part of the job and we have to think about how we're going to modernize in those areas. But we'll have to see what our schools want and the kind of direction that they want us to take and we'll certainly do our best to address all of those issues."

Among other issues Niemi wants to tackle, she believes that the section can be more active on social media to promote its athletes and teams. The longtime athletic administrator foresees more collaboration with athletes to grow the NCS's digital footprint.

"I think athletes will be a very important part of this plan," Niemi said. "I think anytime you can engage with the younger audience, we should try to connect on that level."

Cruickshank's tenure will end at the end of the school year. Cruickshank, 66, was a longtime basketball coach at San Leandro, Liberty and Heritage before becoming commissioner in 2019.

Friday's meeting had numerous athletic directors and coaches honor Cruickshank during public comment.

"That man found his calling and walked that path for decades," former Heritage football coach Dave Fogelstrom said in a statement read by athletic director Nate Smith. "They say there are two great days in our lives. The day we are born and the day we find out why. I am thankful Pat discovered his why very long ago and stuck with it. We are all better for it. I wish him the best of luck, and I’m proud to say that I consider him a friend."

For Cruickshank, the longtime educator and coach will always remember the work the section has done to better the lives of high school athletes.

"I’ve always tried to keep the kids at the forefront of everything that we’ve done and every decision that we make," Cruickshank said. "If you ever doubt where we are, you just need to go to a game. You need to watch the kids play. Because anytime I’d be in a space where I’m beginning to doubt things, or it was a tough day, or whatever, all I do is go to watch kids play and see the joy on kids faces. And it brings me right back to why I do what I do."

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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 1:39 PM.