INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Stephanie Hightower has stepped down as chair of USA Track and Field, to be replaced by former Nike executive Steve Miller.
Hightower, who took over the position in 2009, will stand as the USATF's nominee to the international track federation's (IAAF) council - the most powerful governing body in track and field outside of the International Olympic Committee.
Hightower's expected role on the IAAF council was the reason she resigned, according to a USATF news release. She will remain USATF's president and will serve as vice chair on the board.
Hightower's nomination to the IAAF council in December was controversial. The longtime incumbent, Bob Hersh, won a lopsided vote of the membership to stay in the position, but the board overrode that vote to nominate Hightower.
Hightower, a former hurdler who competed on more than a dozen U.S. track teams, is expected to be named to the IAAF council at its elections in August.
Her replacement, Miller, has been on the USATF board since 2009. He's a former athletic director at Kansas State, president and CEO of the Professional Bowlers Association and director of global sports marketing for Nike.
