COLUMBUS — Lane Warner, the superintendent of Elgin Local Schools in Marion County, has officially commenced his second year on the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Board of Directors. The board convened in Columbus for its first meeting of the 2026-27 school year on August 27, marking the continuation of Warner's three-year term as the Class A representative from the Central District.
The OHSAA serves as the governing body for high school and junior high sports across Ohio, overseeing a vast network of 815 high schools and 740 middle schools, which collectively support around 400,000 student-athletes. Warner's role on the board is significant, as it allows him to influence policies and decisions that affect student-athletes statewide.
Warner's journey with the OHSAA began when he was appointed as a Class A representative to the Central District Athletic Board in June 2021. His commitment to the role was reaffirmed when he was re-elected in 2022. During the 2022-23 school year, he took on the responsibilities of president for the Central District board, further solidifying his leadership within the organization. This marks his inaugural term on the OHSAA Board of Directors.
A native of Marion, Warner graduated from Pleasant High School in 1990. He furthered his education by earning a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a focus on history from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1995, followed by a master’s degree in educational leadership from Bowling Green State University in 2003. His extensive background in education began at Kenton High School in 1995, where he taught world history and geography while also coaching football and track and field.
After a year, Warner returned to his roots at Pleasant High School, where he taught various history courses and American government for six years. During this time, he also coached football, basketball, and track and field at the varsity level, contributing to teams that achieved notable success, including a Division V state championship in 1996 and a runner-up finish in 2001.
Following his tenure in the classroom, Warner transitioned into administrative roles, serving as the athletic/activities director and director of community schools at Mount Gilead Exempted Village Schools from 2002 to 2007. He also held positions as head football coach and head track and field coach during his time there. In 2007, he returned to Pleasant Local Schools as the middle school principal, a position he held for 12 years before becoming the superintendent at Elgin in 2019.
Warner is married to Aimee, and together they have two children. Their son, Hudson, is a graduate of Pleasant High School and currently attends The Ohio State University, while their daughter, Courtney, is a student at Elgin High School.
In addition to Warner's ongoing contributions to the OHSAA, the organization has recently awarded $198,000 in scholarships to recent high school graduates through its Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Program. This initiative highlights the OHSAA's commitment to supporting student-athletes academically and financially. Each member high school also received $1,250 to assist with athletic department needs, totaling $1,020,000 distributed from the OHSAA's Athletic Enrichment Fund, which was established in 2023 to enhance the resources available to schools.
As the OHSAA continues to recognize and reward the achievements of student-athletes, Warner's leadership on the board will play a crucial role in shaping the future of high school athletics in Ohio.
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