Robert Lombardi, who has served as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association since 2012, announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the year.

Lombardi, who started with the PIAA in 1988, has served as the Executive Director of the state’s governing body of interscholastic sports since 2012 and has served as tournament director for most state championships.

“In five weeks, I will be 70 years old. This is a young man and young woman’s business. It’s really that simple,” Lombardi said of his Wednesday announcement on a conference call. “I’ve been thinking about it for awhile. When you see that big 7-0 hit you in the face, it makes you think.”

Lombardi confirmed that PIAA current chief operating officer Mark Byers will take over as executive

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