Art was born in Ogallah, Kansas and later graduated from Trego Community High School in Wakeeney where he excelled in athletics. Contributing from an early age to the family business of ranching and farming on the western Kansas plains gave him tremendous pride throughout the rest of his life.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Bethany (KS) College in 1955 where he competed in football, tennis and baseball. He then obtained a master’s degree from Fort Hays Kansas State College in 1959 and later his doctorate in education form the University of Kansas in 1975.
He also served in the US Army during the Korean War.
Art was steadfast in his faith, committed to his family and passionate about education & athletics.
In 1965 Art was appointed as the very first athletic director at his beloved Shawnee Mission East High School where he served for the next thirty years. Initially there existed only six Lancer sport programs. During his tenure; however, the athletic program grew to twenty two men’s and women’s sports. He initiated an all-sports booster club at East in 1968 which remains as one of the strongest and most imitated organizations of its type in the greater Kansas City metro area. He was so proud of the Lancer Day parade!
At the state level, Art served on a committee of seven athletic directors that met in Wichita in May of 1969 to form the Kansas Secondary School Athletic Directors Association. Now known as the Kansas Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (KIAAA), Art was a longtime member of its Board of Directors. He also founded and hosted the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Prayer Breakfast at the conference for 20 years.
From its beginnings as a classroom history teacher and athletic coach, Art built a career Art to become “one of the greatest contributors to the athletic administration profession at the local, state and national levels”. In 2011 he was selected, in his first year of eligibility, to the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Associations hall of Fame, which he helped found in 1977.
“When looking at the NIAAA founders we see a group of athletic administrators who dreamed dreams, who defied odds and gave of their time and knowledge to make the NIAAA the magnificent organization it is today.” -Sister Lynn Winsor, CMAA from Arizona and first-ever NIAAA President from a parochial school (1994)
Some of his other many awards and special recognitions included: KIAAA Athletic Director of the Year (1978); National Council of Secondary School Athletic Directors Athletic Director of the Year (1990); Shawnee Mission Secondary Administrator of the Year (1995); induction into the Bethany College Hall of Fame (1996) and KSHSAA Hall of Fame (1997) and the first ever inductee to the Shawnee Mission East Athletic Hall of Fame (2019). He has also received the University of Kansas Alumni Award (2000) and University of Kansas Hero Award (2002) and became the namesake of the KIAAA’s Promising Athletic Director Award (2006).
“In every organization there are individuals who stand out, who epitomize service, and whose loyalty, hard work and deep love for the organization leave an indelible mark on that organization. Dr. Art Newcomer is such a person.” -Sister Lynn
In his retirement Art played a lot of golf and raised a lot of money through various charitable golf tournaments. In addition to the NIAAA Endowment Golf Tournament (2000-06), he raised proceeds through the University of Kansas Gale Sayers, the Bethany College Alumni and Merlin Gish Golf Tournaments.
Without question, Dr. Art Newcomer has been an inspiration, mentor and friend to so many of his professional peers. He has not only been a great Athletic Director; however, Art has also been a great husband, father and wonderful person.
Art was preceded in death by his parents Carol and Alice Newcomer, brothers Edward and Rev. Herbert, his first wife Carolyn “Kay”, his second wife Ann “Annie” and his grandson Stephen Alexander Mehrer. He is survived by his sister Nancy Firstman (Harold), brother Nelson (Marcia), his daughters Kristine Geise (Rick), Cara Mehrer (Steve) and grandsons Matthew and Trey Mehrer.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov 2nd at 10:30am at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208. A reception to celebrate Art’s life will follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial donations to the Village Presbyterian Church Endowment Trust (www.giving.villagepres.org) and Shawnee Mission Education Foundation (smef.org). Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC.
God speed Dr Newcomer. I have so many fond memories of your during my time at East.I got to see you in a professional capacity with KIAAA. My prayers go out to your family. May god give them the strength to make it through this difficult time. Lancers we will always be!
Dr. Newcomer is and will always be one of the greatest mentors in my life. His supportive and friendly professional demeanor was an inspiration to myself, and all my fellow athletes.
God Bless family and Friends .. Rest in peace ART NEWCOMER . SM EAST CLASS of 1987
Art was that admirable combination of professional competence and outgoing friendliness, and it was my good fortune to be in his company at East for nearly thirty years. I feel especially connected to Art for being re-named by him. He called me Slammer, I suspect a cross between Slamin’ Sammy Snead (good golfers both) and that fine phrase from sports, “A slam dunk.” I wore that name with pride. God’s speed Art. We will think of you often and break into a smile each time.
I am very sorry for your loss on a wonderful man, May he rest in peace, May god bless his family’s and friends
I adored Mr Newcomer while at SME. My sympathies to his family.
AS GOOD AN ATHLETIC DIRECTOR ART WAS ,HE WAS JUST AS GOOD A MAN…I WAS BLESSED TO KNOW HIM,WORK WITH HIM,COACH WITH HIM. HE WILL BE MISSED BY THOSE OF US FROM S.M. EAST PAST AND BY FUTURE LANCERS…MY BEST TO HIS FAMILY…DAVE AND ROSALIE BARRECA
Art was always a great Friend, when I came to Shawnee Mission East he was one of the very first persons to welcome to the school. We worked together for many years. The world will miss Art he was a great man. Rest in Peace my friend.
He was a real good principal
He was Amazing! SME was so lucky to have Dr. ART! Our kids were so fortunate to learn from him❣️💙❣️
Once a LANCER Always A LANCER💙
I play Tennis with art and several other friends of his in 2012. Nice gentleman for sure.
Sending prayers Dr. Newcomer to you family and friends/community. You were such a nice Asst. Principal for the Lancers. RIR