High school athletic directors.
Within five minutes, I can usually tell the great ones and the bums.
But regardless of where they fall on that spectrum, almost all of them have one thing in common:
They're overworked and their departments are severely understaffed.
Think about it.
Many high schools have 35-45 sports and activities under one department umbrella.
Most have multiple levels.
That's 2,000-3,000 students, 1,500-2,500 events a school year (not including summer, offseason training and don’t forget overtime and weather delays), countless (pain-in-the-ass) parents, coaches (some great, some young, stubborn and dumb), game officials (showing up late or asking about payment), transportation (bus drivers lost), trainers, facilities (how many ADs are working on fields during the spring?), weather reschedules, scheduling conflicts and community expectations.
And that’s just the start.
We're asking one full-time athletic director and one 40-hour administrative assistant to manage it all?
Oh that’s right, they get a stipend assistant AD to help half the time.
Here’s what is truly comical: Some ADs are even forced to teach classes on top of it.
That's not a joke. That's reality.
High school athletic departments aren't rec leagues.
They're million-dollar nonprofits. They're communications departments. They're marketing departments. They're event management companies. They're community engagement engines. They're often the most visible part of a school district 365 days a year.
Yet many are staffed like it's 1956.
As June begins and school leaders finally get a chance to catch their breath, school boards should be asking a simple question:
Are we investing in the people who make our athletic departments shine?
Instead of another flashy scoreboard or cosmetic project, what would happen if those dollars went toward staffing, communications, operations or student-athlete self-care support?
The mental exhaustion in education is real.
Athletic directors carry more of it than most people realize.
It's time we start treating high school athletic departments like the businesses they've become instead of the hobby departments many still think they are.
#MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA
I got denied a head coaching job because they said my practice plans “seemed” too basic for the level that i applied for. Meanwhile my plan mirrored a certain big east program that had literally JUST won a national championship lol. Clueless ppl in power is hilarious
Two things.
1. Stand with Harrison Butker who spoke up so courageously in a culture that condemns Catholic & conservative values.
2. Share his FULL speech, so the left can’t edit it in a way to fit their agenda & attack Butker.
"I know I'm not going to the NBA, [but] I can compete with those type of guys."
Jack Gohlke showed up and dropped 10 THREES in upset win vs. Kentucky 👏 https://t.co/Px3cpaFgSt
“Discipline is knowing what you’re supposed to do, when you’re supposed to do it, the way it’s supposed to get done. Do the right thing, the right way all the time. Self discipline, there’s something I’m supposed to do that I really don’t want to do, can you make yourself do it?” Nick Saban
There is a difference between what you want and what you are willing to do.
"Whenever I'm in St. Louis it's always brought up - at least three times a day."
Former @Cardinals teammates @SSchumaker55 and @jonjayU, now members of the same @Marlins coaching staff, join #MLBTonight to talk about their memorable Postseason run in 2011. #MLBN15
The 2023-2024 Illinois College Blueboys would like to extend an invitation to any Alumni, Friends, or Family to our final fall scrimmage this Friday. First pitch at 5:10 at the Future Champs Complex. Please like this post or contact one of our coaches if you plan to attend!
"Leaders take teams to a place that goes beyond talent.
Leaders create culture.
Culture drives behavior.
Behavior produces results.
Your team will perform this year based on the culture that your leaders build." @TimothyKight