Jeff Makelky
Special Recognition Award
Upon graduating from Dickinson State University in North Dakota in 1982, Jeff Makelky would begin a career in education that would span forty-four years. Twenty-four of those were spent in Montana as a teacher, coach, and administrator. As a football coach, Makelky’s successful teams would earn him recognition as among the best in Montana. Coach Makelky was honored twice as Coach of the Year. His 1994 team would reign as champions in Montana. While employed at Conrad, MT. Jeff earned his Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from Montana State University.
In 2007, Jeff gained employment at the Pinedale High School where he served as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at our neighboring school. In 2012, Jeff was deemed a Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) through his studies with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. (NIAAA)
In 2013. Jeff Makelky became the principal at Big Piney High School. He would also serve as Athletic Director early in those years. Mr. Makelky placed an emphasis on increasing the test scores of Big Piney students. Giving recognition to his group of teachers, Big Piney test scores rose significantly during his twelve-year tenure at BPHS. In 2020, a deserving Jeff Makelky was named Wyoming’s Principal of the Year! As BPHS Principal, Jeff revitalized the Distinguished Alumni Awards and worked to establish a combination of both athletic honorees and alumni honorees into the Big Piney High School Hall of Fame.
Now retired and living in Casper with his wife, Vicki, Jeff can now enjoy the closeness of his family in the Casper area. Work will continue however, as Jeff has been named the Executive Director of the Wyoming Association of Secondary School Principals. (WASSP) His duties include assisting state-wide principals as well as working with the University of Wyoming to supervise student teachers in the greater Casper Area