Coaches Insider

Athletic Department Culture: Developing and Maintaining with Kevin Guzzo, CMAA – St. Joseph High School (MI)

ADInsider — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 07:04:51 +0000

Watch as Kevin Guzzo, CMAA, develops a culture within the athletic department. Every small act of kindness and every positive interaction with athletes is part of building a championship culture. Winning isn't the only image your athletic teams should project, but rather teams that demonstrate integrity both on and off the field.

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The NIAAA champions the profession of athletic administration through educational opportunities, advocating ethics, developing leaders, and fostering community. Find more information on their website here: niaaa.org.

Become a member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and gain access to discounted courses, invaluable resources, best practices, $2 million in excess liability coverage, and a supportive network of more than 15,000 athletic administrators nationwide - click here.

Get certified as an Athletic Administrator with the nationally accredited NIAAA Certification Program here.

The Drama Stops Here with Jen Hardy – The Academy of MotivAction

ADInsider — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 07:03:51 +0000

Watch as Jen Hardy discusses the weight that today's coaches carry. The mindset of a coach feeling pressure can shift quickly if they don't practice awareness, presence, and recognize the opportunity to become who they want to be. It is important not to label yourself by your role and to understand that your reactions are not character flaws. Instead, your reactions to situations reflect the role you choose to play in athletes' lives.

MotivAction Academy
Neuroscience-based leadership training that restores human connection and resilience for high-stress professionals nationwide. More info here.

Beyond the Eyes of Sports with Victoria Jones, CMAA – Dayton Public Schools (OH)

ADInsider — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 07:02:31 +0000

Watch as Victoria Jones discusses "Beyond the Eyes of Sports," an initiative that focuses on a holistic approach to student-athletes. The program hosts events with powerful speakers who inspire, empower, and encourage the youth of today. As athletic directors, it is important to leave students with long-lasting experiences. and a strong sense of integrity.

The Higher We Climb [NIAAA]

National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 07:01:06 +0000

By: Roger Dixon, CAA
Retired Athletic Director - Socastee High School & Horry County Schools
SCAAA Award / Hall of Fame Director

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an adult education series conducted by storyteller Ed Kilbourne. During Ed's first session, he used songs to emphasize his message to the group. In his first story, he sang Dan Fogelberg's "The Higher You Climb!"

There is a message in each song and the lyrics of "The Higher You Climb" sparked my interest and deeper look into the meaning, for me, as an educator and coach.

Three lines of the lyrics drew my attention, with regards to being an athletic administrator or the person in charge. First, 'The Higher You Climb;' second, 'The More You See;' and third, 'The Less That You Know.'

My initial thoughts were about the view from a mountain top, the long-distance view we have on a cloudless day, the difference in terrain, the dense forest, a glimpse of a river in the distance, the shades of colors and smoke from a chimney below. We have the best views from the top, a big picture.

The problem we have being at the top of a mountain, we cannot see or know all the details which lie below; the pieces which make up the view we see! For me this is like being an athletic administrator or district superintendent whose interest is in the big picture rather than the pieces which make up the whole.

The three lines of lyrics: 'The Higher You Climb,' 'The More You See,' 'The More You See,' 'The Less You Know,' may imply that we, as administrators, are more concerned with the big picture, how we are perceived, and not as understanding about the pieces which make up the big picture. In completing a picture puzzle, we need all the pieces in their proper place to complete the puzzle and make the picture come out as intended by the artist.

When we entered the professional world, for most of us as a teacher and coach, we were inexperienced and in need of a veteran teacher or coach as mentor to assist in our preparation and growth. At this point we were on the ground level of our potential climb and focusing on the daily challenges and details required for a successful career. Our views and knowledge are limited to our immediate area.

As we grew, we explored the options available for advancement, moving from an assistant coach to a head coaching position or a move into an administrative role. In making these moves, our jobs and focus changed. We became different people because things happened to us as we made the climb. Reaching the top, our roles and responsibilities changed, our focus changed and our view and knowledge of what was happening at the lower levels became blurred.

From the top of the mountain, we can see for miles on a cloudless day, yet we cannot see the details of what is beyond the covering of the trees. We know less. What is really going on down there? To determine what is happening below in the valleys and with our programs, we must change our view, our position by going down to determine what lies below; what is happening and providing the view at the top.

Two additional lines of lyrics in "The Higher You Climb" are 'The Farther You Reach' and 'The More That You Touch!' Specifically, the higher we climb, the more opportunities to reach out farther and touch more people! What seeds have we planted along our climb and what fruits will they bear?

Leadership is not about the number and type of certifications, titles, position(s) we hold or the color of our jacket; it is about the influence we have had on others! It is not all about us, we must have a team to support, influence, and encourage us to make the climb. As we continue the climb, do not forget those who have been there for us. Turn around and help someone else make the climb.

To close, the higher we climb, the more we see, the less we know, the more we reach, the more we touch. The 'learnings' from our climb provides us opportunities to see more, learn more and to touch more as we build relationships with students, co-workers, and others along our path!

What difference will we make tomorrow?

*Check out the lyrics of "The Higher You Climb" by Dan Fogelberg.

Roger Dixon, CAA
SCAAA
August 2024

Parental Support: What Parents Should Be Doing or Saying with Will Christian – Lebanon High School (MO)

ADInsider — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:03:27 +0000

Will Christian explains what parents should be doing or saying to support their children in athletics. He stresses the importance of being positive and supportive and showing love and appreciation. Parents should avoid giving negative feedback and over-coaching.

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Get certified as an Athletic Administrator with the nationally accredited NIAAA Certification Program here.

Can You Be Too Positive? with Jon Gordon – The Jon Gordon Companies

American Baseball Coaches Association — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:02:32 +0000

Jon Gordon responds to the question, "Can you be too positive?" He states that you can never be too positive because you need that positivity to elevate your state of mind. He cites a Duke University study on optimists, which found that optimists work harder, earn more money, and are more likely to succeed in business and sports. If your positivity is genuine, it can help you overcome adversity and challenges.

Watch the full ABCA Q&A session with Jon Gordon free here.

Hazing Prevention: Know Your Staff with Dr. Ryan Miller, CMAA – Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School (NJ)

National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:01:44 +0000

Dr. Ryan Miller discusses hazing and the key to prevention is knowing your staff. As the AD, you will be supervising older coaches as well as newer coaches. The size of the staff, as well as volunteers, requires more adults to manage and the potential for more issues. Ryan emphasizes that it is important to know your community, the traditions, the norms, and their expectations, and if needed, willing to educate them about hazing. Hazing prevention is all about developing a communication plan to be shared with the coaches, athletes, community and the school.

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Get certified as an Athletic Administrator with the nationally accredited NIAAA Certification Program here.

Use AI to Improve Your Athletic Office and Athletic Department with Michael Hart, CMAA – Weddington High School (NC)

ADInsider — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 07:04:26 +0000

Michael Hart discusses the usefulness of AI and its everyday implications in athletic offices and departments. He explores the use of different platforms such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Scribe, and Canva. With numerous advancements in AI, it is important for ADs to use it to its fullest potential.

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Get certified as an Athletic Administrator with the nationally accredited NIAAA Certification Program here.

Building Athletic Leadership Teams Using Triple Action Athletes with Clynton Elwood – Flour Bluff ISD (TX)

ADInsider — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 07:03:49 +0000

Clynton Elwood explains how to build leadership teams using triple action athletes. The triple action athlete is about service: cross sport unity, district and community service, and a mentorship program. He will also explain the steps to create this program by reaching out to head coaches and principals asking for their assistance.

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Get certified as an Athletic Administrator with the nationally accredited NIAAA Certification Program here.

Building a Culture for the Coaches with Arlisa Williams – District of Columbia International School (DC)

ADInsider — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 07:02:55 +0000

Arlisa Williams discusses the importance of developing a great culture as you coach your coaches. Culture keeps everyone on the same page and prevents different coaches in your system from doing their own thing. Effective communication is key when coaching the coaches and the same applies when they are instructing the athletes. The focus is developing a great culture that is a positive reflection on the athletic department, teams, and the school.

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Get certified as an Athletic Administrator with the nationally accredited NIAAA Certification Program here.