Quite a bit happened in the BIIF during the 2025-26 school year — surfing was introduced as an official HHSAA sport, multiple teams and individuals were crowned state champions. New coaches came in and changed cultures, while some legendary ones stepped away. Some teams broke multi-year conference-title curses, while others won their first ever. Even professional athletes ventured to the Big Island to work with local student-athletes — such as New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye running his quarterbacks and receivers clinic at Konawaena High School.

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Quite a bit happened in the BIIF during the 2025-26 school year — surfing was introduced as an official HHSAA sport, multiple teams and individuals were crowned state champions. New coaches came in and changed cultures, while some legendary ones stepped away. Some teams broke multi-year conference-title curses, while others won their first ever. Even professional athletes ventured to the Big Island to work with local student-athletes — such as New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye running his quarterbacks and receivers clinic at Konawaena High School.

On top of all of the highlights and unforgettable moments, the BIIF underwent significant leadership changes during the year. Following the retirement of longtime league Executive Director Lyle Crozier in Nov. 2025, former Kea‘au High Athletic Director Iris McGuire stepped in as interim director, and after an application process, was given the official BIIF executive director title in February. This fall, she will begin her first full year at the helm.

The BIIF executive director’s duties entail supervising all games and activies, monitoring all league income and expenditures, maintaining records on eligibility, participation, officials and updating records and bylaws. McGuire also negotiates with community sponsors and sports officials and is in constant communication with each of the 26 schools on the island. In sum, she is the Big Island high schools representative at the state level.

While becoming the league’s official director was something she never imagined doing, McGuire is eager to guide the BIIF in this new era. While the position has been challenging thus far, it has kept her motivated.

“I’m still taking it all in and trying to navigate life as the BIIF exec — it’s not a position I ever thought I would be in,” McGuire told the paper in a recent interview. “I was planning on retiring from Kea’au. I want to do a good job and make a difference for all schools and the state.

“Stepping into this role definitely was an eye-opener. There is so much more to this position than I initially thought. I think I learn something new every day that I work in this position. There is a greater sense of responsibility that I feel towards the league as time goes by. Lots more for me to learn — I want to be able to provide more opportunities for our students.”

McGuire’s athletic upbringing started as a child as the youngest and only girl sibling in her family. Due to her older brothers playing sports, McGuire naturally developed an interest — competing in baseball, volleyball, basketball and softball growing up.

McGuire was named Kea‘au Athletic Director in 2004 after previously volunteering in the athletics office while serving as a police officer in the Puna district. She has been a firm believer of high school athletics playing a key role in development.

“(Sports) teach life lessons, whether it be good or bad,” McGuire said. “It teaches one to be responsible, accountable and how to work as a team. It gives you an avenue to explore your abilities.

“It’s almost like a job, you have to adapt to your surroundings. You also learn humility and resilience. A lot of who I am today is because of participating in athletics growing up. Of looking beyond myself and realizing that it’s more than just me.”

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McGuire hopes to create stronger day-to-day operating systems and foster a culture of integrity, sportsmanship and community within the BIIF. McGuire also wants to include stakeholders when making certain policies and changes.

“I definitely believe the BIIF has room for growth,” she said. “We added surfing to our program and it was a great success. Who knows what else is out there for our students.”

While the possibilities are endless, the Big Island sports scene also faces certain challenges — most notably finances and transportation hurdles on and off the island. McGuire hopes to find efficient solutions.

“I’m trying to look outside the box and see how we can possibly collaborate with outside agencies or even each other to give our league the best bang for our buck,” McGuire explained. “We are exploring different ways to operate that may save time, transportation and cost.

“Facilities are also a challenge because of funding for maintenance and the Kona low that took out two schools.”

With McGuire now in her new role, she officially stepped down as Kea‘au athletic director after two decades of service. She will continue working in the athletics department part-time until her old position is filled.

Reflecting on her time as a Cougar, McGuire acknowledged she’ll miss everything involved in the school community — from the student-athletes, to the coaches, to the athletic trainers, to the relationships developed while working with the Kea’au Cougars Athletic Boosters (KCAB).

“I made a lot of life-long relationships with the support staff and athletic staff at Kea’au,” McGuire said. “I was fortunate to have a solid coaching staff that I worked with. I also have a great relationship with my athletic trainers. (KCAB organizers) became my support for the past 20 years. I can rely on them for the good and bad.

“But the one thing I miss most is the student-athletes and our interactions. I was ‘Aunty Iris’ to them. Most of them don’t even know my last name. I’m hoping that as BIIF exec, I can extend the ‘Aunty Iris’ to all student-athletes on our island.”

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