Xavier High School Activities Director Mike Winker has announced he will resign from his position following the 2015-16 school year.

Winker has been Xavier’s only Activities Director since the school opened in 1998. He also served as the Athletic Director at Regis High School from 1993 to 1998. He began his career in Catholic education as a teacher in the Cedar Rapids Catholic schools in 1988.

“I have spent my entire career in Catholic Education as a teacher, coach and administrator," he said in a statement issued by Xavier. "It has been a vocation for me rather than a job. After 22 years as Activities Director, I felt the timing was right to explore other career opportunities.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve our students, parents and coaches during my time at Regis and Xavier. My youngest child, Luke, will graduate from Xavier in 2016. I felt the timing was right for me, my family and Xavier.

"I also wanted Mr. Keating and the Xavier School Board to know in advance of my plans so the proper decisions can be made moving forward in the best interest of our students. I look forward to helping make the 2015-16 year at Xavier the best ever.”

Xavier Principal Tom Keating commended Winker for his commitment to Catholic education and to the Regis and Xavier activities programs.

“Mike has been a dedicated Catholic educator and an advocate for student activities," said Keating. "Xavier activities programs have flourished under his leadership, with over 90 percent of the Xavier student body participating.

"Xavier programs have achieved unparalleled success during Mike’s 17-year tenure and that is due in large part to the high standards Mike has set for students, coaches and directors. We will miss the energy he brings to the school, the support he offers coaches and directors and most importantly his commitment to the students he served.

"We thank Mike for the positive impact he has had on our school and our community and for the way he represented Xavier. We support his decision and wish him the very best.”

A search for an Activities Director, who will assume the role for the 2016-17 school year, will be conducted during the fall of the upcoming school year.