Leslie Slovak explains that the most important thing an AD can do is make a correct decision on who is hired to be put in front of the kids. She talks about supporting coaches and […]
NIAAA Quality Program Award: Exemplary Athletic Department – The Journey [NIAAA]
By: Randy Tevepaugh, CMAA – Streetsboro High School (OH) While it may be painfully obvious that I am not a writer or professional author, I hope what is evident in this article is my passion […]
AD Insider On-Campus Series Trailer
In partnership with HomeTown Ticketing, we are proud to present the AD Insider On-Campus Series! This 3-part docuseries will take you to the campuses of some of the top high school athletic departments in the […]
EP 108: 2023 Tech Trends, NIAAA Certifications, and Fundraising Tips
In this AD Insider | Thursday 30 episode, presented by Hudl, we have compiled clips from recent conferences and clinics to provide Athletic Directors and Administrators with beneficial information on a number of topics: Tech […]
Culture: What Is It Like to Be on the Other Side of My Leadership? with Kevin DeShazo – Culture Wins
Kevin DeShazo explains that as leaders, you should be constantly you should be constantly asking questions of what it is like to be on the other side of your leadership. He discusses the concept of […]
How to Improve Event Crowd Security with Jay Hammes – Safe Sport Zone
Jay Hammes suggests that working the event and not watching the event is key in today’s environment. Hammes explains how to analyze and identify problems, including how security should break the crowd into sections when […]
Be Willing to Change with Tony Dillingham – Bentonville West High School (AR)
Watch as Tony Dillingham discusses how his management style has changed over the years as he transitioned from coach to AD and the importance of being willing to change with the times. Tony Dillingham was […]
Leadership: What Type of Team Do You Want to Be? with Robert Grasso – La Jolla Country Day School (CA)
Robert Grasso discusses how coaches must determine with their players what type of standards and values they must set that define their teams. It is important to ask questions so that players understand why they […]
Spreading the Resources Equitably with Antony Fisher – Minneapolis Public Schools
Antony Fisher explains that wherever you are located as an AD, it is key you understand the needs of your school community and be able to adjust. He believes in spreading resources equitably among the […]
Designing for Creativity: How You and Your Athletic Department Can Become Creative Innovation Champions [NIAAA]
By: Michael Donahue, CMAA “Creativity is most likely to take place at the edge of chaos and order” – Chris Bilton, Management and Creativity” When you read this quote, you might have said to yourself, […]
EP 107: The BEST Moments of AD Insider 2022!
In this AD Insider | Thursday 30 episode, presented by Hudl, we’ve compiled some of the best AD Insider moments of 2022 where we had the opportunity to feature Athletic Administrators from across the country, […]
Creating a Coaching Internship Program with Kevin Belcher – Central High School (AZ)
Kevin Belcher discusses a coaching internship program he has developed to maintain coaching sustainability based on education-based athletics. He recruits individuals at the middle schools that have an interest in being a high school coach. […]
Thank-A-Ref Nights Show Appreciation and Build Sportsmanship [NIAAA]
By: Ken Edwards, CMAA Sitting in the audience at my first NIAAA Conference in 2018 at San Antonio, I was prepared for another boring, data filled session on sportsmanship in high school athletics. Instead, I […]
Boundary Invasion Definition with Jeffrey Sitz, CMAA – Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association
Jeffrey Sitz explains the definition of boundary invasion. A school employee is solely responsible for his or her conduct.
Advice for a Young AD Dealing with Parent Issues with Tony Dillingham – Bentonville West High School (AR)
Parents want to be heard and it is important to listen. Tony Dillingham explains that parents want to know that you care and get your honest perspective on the current issues with their child. He […]
A Coach’s Role in an Athlete’s Mental Health with Michael Gulino – 3 Dimensional Leadership Consultants, LLC
Michael Gulino believes coaches should be transformational, focusing on the use of sports to help young athletes grow. Positive self-talk, creating a positive team environment, and praising performance and effort are just a few things […]
EP 106: 2022 National Athletic Directors Conference Recap
In this AD Insider | Thursday 30 episode, presented by HomeTown Ticketing, we have compiled highlights from the 2022 National Athletic Directors Conference in Nashville, TN. We take you inside some of the NADC Workshops […]
Connecticut Class Act Sportsmanship Program with Trish Witkin – Glastonbury High School (CT)
Trish Witkin discusses sportsmanship and explains Connecticut’s Class Act voluntary sportsmanship program. She states that schools can do all the programing and education concerning sportsmanship, but something will always happen. The Class Act program is […]
Six Simple Rules for Coaching Boosters [NIAAA]
By: John Evers, CMAA As budgets become tighter, more athletic administrators are finding that booster clubs and the revenue they produce are no longer a luxury. In many cases, the funding and support provided by […]
The Biggest Challenge Facing Athletic Administrators Today with Rich Barton, CMAA – NIAAA
Rich Barton believes the biggest challenge affecting Athletic Administrators today is a nationwide issue of retention. He explains that constant turnover of administrators of the largest department of every high school can put that department […]
Challenging Athletes Without Destroying Their Confidence with Dr. Greg Dale – Duke Univ.
Dr. Greg Dale explains that it is key to hold athletes accountable but do so without destroying their confidence or undermining their dignity. He talks about the difference between being intense and being emotional as […]
Branding Your Athletic Program [NIAAA]
By: Jeff Berry – Assistant Principal for Athletics and Activities, Colonial Forge High School (VA) We all see iconic team logos that are easily recognizable in college and professional athletics. The interlocking NY of the […]
The Leadership Paradox with Michael Hughes – Lakewood High School (CO)
Michael Hughes discusses the leadership paradox which involves how much autonomy vs. how much direct instruction you give to your staff. Each staff member has different needs, and as the AD, you must determine how […]
Involving Parents in the Process with T.D. O’Hara – Norman Public Schools (OK)
T.D. O’Hara explains that he has an open door and phone policy with parents as they are a vital force in all the programs. It is important to listen and understand the parents regarding their […]
Mindset: Stop Blaming & Complaining with Alan Stein, Jr.
Alan Stein, Jr. discusses awareness and mindset which may be the #1 separator from good to great and from great to elite. A winner’s mindset involves having extreme accountability and ownership for everything in your […]
EP 105: Creating a “Disney-Like” Game Day Experience with Tim Sam, CMAA – North Valley High School (OR)
In this AD Insider | Thursday 30 episode, presented by HomeTown Ticketing, we sat down with Tim Sam, CMAA, Athletic Director at North Valley High School in Oregon. In this episode, we covered the following […]
EP 104: Avoiding Political Potholes in Athletic Administration with Darryl Nance – Greenville County Schools (SC)
In this AD Insider LIVE | Thursday 30 episode, presented by HomeTown Ticketing, we sat down with Darryl Nance, Director of Athletics at Greenville County Schools in South Carolina. In this episode, we covered the […]
Lessons Learned from an Active Shooter Experience with Dr. Kaleb Stoppel, CMAA – Wichita Public Schools (KS)
Dr. Kaleb Stoppel explains how being wounded by a student in an active shooter situation has brought trauma into his and his family’s life. Moving to a new job and town has helped support his […]
Oversight of Title IX with Dr. Lisa Langston, CMAA – Fort Worth ISD (TX)
Dr. Lisa Langston explains that there is no policing or oversight of Title IX until a school or district receives a complaint. She encourages Administrators to implement a policy of self-audits and reviews so that […]
Get to Know Your Athletes as Kids with Matt Mattson – Champlin Park High School (MN)
Matt Mattson explains that he regularly has a leader’s or captain’s breakfast in his office. The table in his office doubles as a ping pong table. He encourages kids to stop by to play and […]