THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR IS THE PRINCIPAL’S BEST FRIEND

AND IF THEY’RE NOT… THEY SHOULD BE! *30, 40, 50% OR MORE OF YOUR STUDENT BODY PARTICIPATING IN ONE PROGRAM *ONE PERSON DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WHOLE PROGRAM!

AND VICE VERSA THE PRINCIPAL SHOULD BE THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S BEST FRIEND It works both ways… The AD better have the support from at least their Principal

ADMINISTRATOR IN CHARGE OF ATHLETICS AD KNOWS MORE 12 YEARS AS AN ATHLETIC DIRECTOR RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD PROTECT YOURSELF SECOND YEAR PRINCIPAL – NEW AP

COMMON QUALITIES OF GREAT ATHLETIC DIRECTORS IN ADDITION TO LOVING WHAT THEY DO…

HONEST WILLING TO BE HONEST WITH COACHES WILLING TO BE HONEST WITH STUDENTS WILLING TO BE HONEST WITH PARENTS WILLING TO BE HONEST WITH ADMINISTRATORS Having the tough conversation with an out of line coach – GIRL’S VOLLEYBALL COACH, MISSING PRACTICE RULE Telling a parent uncomfortable news about their kid Telling an administrator that you need more security for an upcoming game or you made a mistake in recommending a coach to be hired

TREMENDOUS ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS FACILITIES OFFICIALS, BUSES, INVENTORY, ETC. ANTICIPATING ISSUES 17 teams in the Winter all in tournaments home and away Swim Gym – Historical Landmark Practice Schedules

PROBLEM SOLVER IDENTIFY PROBLEMS (IN ADVANCE) RESEARCH AND PRIORITIZE SOLUTIONS COMMUNICATE PROBLEMS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO ADMINISTRATORS (WHEN NECESSARY) Moving or changing a game – CANCELING THUNDERSHARKS Potential security issues Conflicts with community events

EXCELLENT COMMUNICATOR COACHES MEETINGS PARENT MEETINGS STUDENT MEETINGS LOCAL SCHOOLS Always be out front Student leaders are great advocates Communicate with Parks and Rec

COMPETITOR PLAY TO WIN!!! Compete to operate the best, most respected athletic program – TOUGH AND DRIVEN You’re either getting better or worse… nothing or no one stays the same – what are other schools doing that you may be able to implement? Always looking to win

PRINCIPAL’S PERSPECTIVE ON ATHLETICS PROBABLY DIFFERENT MY FIRST DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE MEETING Differentiate and share

PRINCIPAL’S COMMITMENT TO ATHLETICS VARY HARD TO PROVIDE THE ATTENTION DESIRED I spent my entire career in athletics and as a Principal, I had trouble giving athletics the attention it deserves BH – PERFORMING ARTS AND OTHER PROGRAMS COMPETE FOR ATTENTION

HELP THE PRINCIPAL HELP YOU! COMMUNICATE COMMUNICATE THE VISION COMMUNICATE WEEKLY Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR! SPORTS SCHEDULES EMERGENCY// MEDICAL FORMS COACHING ASSIGNMENTS STAKEHOLDERS HIRING AND EVALUATION PROCESS FOR COACHES VISION MEETING WITH YOUR PRINCIPAL The best time to prepare for the upcoming school year is in the Spring of the previous school year. Schedules, returning athletes, coaching assignments should all be completed before the end of the previous school year. What’s your philosophy on hiring and evaluating coaches? How does athletics fit into the vision of the school?

PROMOTE YOUR PROGRAM COMMUNICATE SUCCESSES TO THE COMMUNITY DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THE PRINCIPAL WHAT CAN YOUR PROGRAM HANG THEIR HAT ON… OR WHAT WILL THE DEPARTMENT RALLY AROUND? QUEST AWARDS – QUALITY, UNDERSTANDING, EDUCATION, SPORTS AND TEAM Overall GPA in Athletics was over 3.2 for more than 18 years Quest awards - ESPYS

KEEP YOUR PRINCIPAL INFORMED SHORT PREVIEW OF THE UPCOMING SEASON SHORT RECAP OF THE PREVIOUS SEASON

ALWAYS... WHEN POSSIBLE… FRONT LOAD YOUR PRINCIPAL TEACH YOUR COACHES TO ALWAYS… FRONT LOAD YOU… EVEN IF THE SITUATION DOESN’T SEEM TO BE A BIG DEAL! SITUATIONS THAT MAY BECOME ISSUES HELICOPTER PARENT(S) COMMUNITY CONCERNS TRYOUTS DISMISSING A STUDENT FROM A TEAM TEACHER OR COACH’S CONCERNS Problem with a kid of a well connected family Helicopter parents can turn into community concerns Teacher concerns – Eligibility pressures or playing in the big game, but didn’t come to class Coach’s concerns – Stealing each others players

TRANSFERS FIRST YEAR PLAYERS PERSONALLY CONTACT FORMER SCHOOLS RED FLAGS; ANNUAL TRANSFERS, ADULT BOOSTERS Inform your Principal of any major Red Flags Hurricane Katrina – 20 PLUS TRANSFERS IN A SCHOOL YEAR IS A RED FLAG PRINCIPALS BLAMING THE AD FOR TRANSFER VIOLATIONS

TOUGH DECISIONS LATE KNOWLEDGE OF AN INELIGIBLE STUDENT Include your Principal and do what’s right

SUPPORTING OTHER PROGRAMS… HELP! FOOTBALL/BASKETBALL GETS EVERYTHING… ENCOURAGE YOUR COACHES TO SUPPORT OTHER SCHOOL EVENTS COACHES ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO SUPPORT OTHER SCHOOL EVENTS Athletes in ASB are great at bringing the school together

PRINCIPALS HELPING THEMSELVES INVITE YOUR AD TO ADMIN MEETINGS IMPLEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES TO PROTECT BOTH, YOU AND YOUR AD PERIODIC MEETINGS TO DISCUSS EVALUATIONS PERIODIC MEETINGS TO DISCUSS TRANSFERS PERIODIC MEETINGS TO DISCUSS PARENT CONCERNS Meet weekly or monthly

SAFETY CONCERNS IMMEDIATELY ADDRESS ALL SAFETY CONCERNS ATHLETIC TRAINERS FUNDRAISING - BHAAA Concrete slab too close to the field

CONTROL THE NARRATIVE… UPDATE YOUR BOE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETES

AD AND PRINCIPAL MUST BE ON THE SAME PAGE UNITED FRONT TO DEAL WITH TOUGH ISSUES PARENTS AND STUDENTS WILL PLAY THE AD AGAINST THE PRINCIPAL COACHES WILL USE THEIR PARENTS TO GET WHAT THEY WANT… CONSISTENTLY SATISFYING ALL STAKEHOLDERS IS NOT EASY PLAY AS A TEAM… AND ALWAYS PLAY TO WIN! It’s like two parents working together

Carter Paysinger ccpaysinger@gmail.com