District 196 is thrilled to announce the selection of Matt Percival to provide leadership for athletics and activities across all middle and high schools. With a remarkable career spanning over three decades in high school education, administration, coaching, and program development, Percival brings a wealth of experience, vision, and deep-rooted dedication to our community.

During his 32 years in District 196, including the last 20 years as an assistant principal for curriculum and athletics at Eastview High School, he has masterfully guided the activities department, providing executive leadership for 37 dynamic programs, supporting over 1,200 student-athletes, and mentoring more than 150 coaches each year. Percival is renowned for building a culture grounded in an education-based philosophy, ensuring co-curricular activities serve as a vital extension of the classroom for youth development.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve District 196 in this newly created role supporting athletics, activities, and administration. While it is difficult to step away from Eastview and the coaches, students, families and staff who have meant so much to me, I am excited about the opportunity to serve our district in a broader capacity,” Percival said. “My goal is to support our building leaders and coaches, strengthen the experience of our students, and help ensure that District 196 athletics and activities continue to be an extension of our classrooms in developing not only successful competitors, but great teammates, leaders and people.” 

In his new role, Percival will partner closely with school and district leaders to ensure equitable access to opportunities, implement student support systems, maintain consistent behavioral expectations, and foster inclusive learning environments. He will oversee co-curricular programming across District 196, where roughly 46% of high school students participate in Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) sports across Apple Valley, Eagan, Rosemount, and Eastview high schools. The district employs more than 600 coaches, sponsors over 5000 athletic competitions, and processes more than 6,000 vouchers for event staff and security annually.  Beyond managing co-op agreements, tracking results, coordinating Athletic Directors, and leading new facility initiatives like Activity Center additions, Percival will champion the continued growth of student opportunities. This includes momentum for emerging programs across the state, like MSHSL boys volleyball, expanding girls wrestling, E-Sports, and NFL/Minnesota Vikings-backed girls flag football.

District 196’s athletic programs boast incredible statewide success. The district was represented in 31 of 37 MSHSL State Tournaments in 2025-26, including six State Championships won by Rosemount Girls Basketball, Eastview Boys Volleyball, Rosemount Baseball, and three Dakota Hawks Adaptive Athletics teams. In addition, District 196 teams claimed 13 South Suburban Conference Championships, and 105 of our graduating seniors are committed to compete in college athletics. Equally impressive is our student-athletes' commitment to academic excellence, earning widespread Academic “Gold” and Academic All-State honors.

Percival earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of St. Thomas in social studies, secondary education, and technology leadership. He completed his educational leadership specialist license through Minnesota State University-Mankato. He was Minnesota’s softball coach of the year, leading the state champion Lightning in 2003, and he was twice honored as MSHSL Region Athletic Director of the Year in 2011 and 2024. 

As Matt steps into this new role, his focus remains on student growth: while medals and plaques may eventually be stored away, the character, teamwork, leadership, memories, and life lessons learned through District 196 Athletics will last a lifetime. Please join us in congratulating Matt Percival on his new role!

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District 196 provides boundless opportunities and infinite possibilities for more than 29,000 students in early childhood, K-12 and adult education programs, as well as community education programs for lifelong learners of all ages. 

District 196 serves more than 168,000 residents in the cities of Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Coates, Empire, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville and Vermillion Township in Dakota County, Minnesota. For more information, visit District196.org.