Annette Wiles

In July 2018, Annette Wiles, former Topeka High athletic director, took up the position of director of Hummer Sports Park, following former director Rick Benke’s retirement. Wiles has a rich background in sports management. She attended Fort Hays State University where played on the women’s basketball team. Wiles was named the Most Valuable Player in the 1991 NAIA National Tournament. The two-time All-American scored 2,407 points and hauled down 961 rebounds. She went on to earn her MS in Athletic Administration at Fort Hays while also serving as a grad assistant. After college, Wiles went on to coach college women’s basketball and serve as athletics administration at Bethany College. She would go on to serve in the athletic departments for both Fort Hays and Minnesota University, in addition to collegiate basketball, before serving as Topeka High School’s Athletic Administrator. Some of her accomplishments include winning over 400 games in her collegiate coaching career. 

Wiles’ responsibilities as the director of Hummer Sport Park vary. There is no job too large or too small that she is unwilling to tackle. In addition to overseeing personnel and staff, the grounds, daily operations, the natatorium and concessions, she is at the center of event attraction and scheduling; she works with the advertising and marketing department to bring advertising and additional business to the sports park; and oversees the overall athletic program of Topeka Public Schools USD 501, which includes supervising the operations of the athletic directors and activity coordinators. 

Wiles’ goal is to continue to successfully showcase the sports park to the city and its public school families, generating a source of pride to Topeka and USD 501. She hopes to do this by increasing visibility of the park. Wiles also hopes to continue to strengthen Hummer in terms of utility, versatility, functionality and safety. 

Essentially, in terms of her position at Hummer, Annette Wiles is wherever she is needed. On any given day she may be giving tours, promoting the park, meeting with area athletic directors, or even riding a lawn mower. No job is too small. And she loves every minute of it. 

“I love promoting [Hummer]; I love bringing business and patrons to the park; and I love assisting and promoting 501 sporting events.” Annette exclaims keenly. 

Learn more about the events taking place at Hummer Sports Park here!