COMMON MISTAKES MADE BY ATHLETIC DIRECTORS Brandon Clark and Andy McGill August 5, 2019

Planning Failing/poor planning AD’s juggle many things, but none can hit the floor To-do lists Today This week Long term (work ahead) Use of Technology (Google/Asana/Apple/Arbiter/rSchools) Prioritize and delegate (big mistake to not delegate) Try and block out mornings, if possible Events Liability management Identify people behind the scenes and what they do Game Day Checklists Details matter - Aloha HS example Procrastinating Plan ahead - use summer and other slower times to pre-plan Break projects up into smaller tasks Do not reinvent the wheel Planning

Relationships Spending too much time in the office Get out Build relationships (example: elementary principals, booster clubs, informal conversations) Meet with each of your head coaches/directors (go to them) Must be visible (practices, games, meetings) Lacking professional courtesy 24 hour rule for messages (email/phone) Give people 100% of your attention Communication Weekly emails Talk/Meet with head coaches at least once a week Empower your coaches Open door Listen to needs/new ideas-Don’t say NO initially Celebrate your workers and coaches Fish/Chicken Fry--All Sports Banquet Build Community Relationships Veteran’s Night-Pink Out-Fields of Faith-Hall/Wall of Fame-Service Projects-Golf Tournaments-Homecoming Tailgate-Little Leagues Relationships

Learning from Mistakes Taking action without thinking Listen first Slow to speak Failing to keep promises Under promise and over deliver Arrogance No one has all of the answers Apologize It‘s ok to make mistakes Learn from them and move forward We can always get better Eligibility mistake example Take Risks Do not be afraid to fail “If you don’t ever make a mistake, it probably means you’re not doing anything of value or importance” - Joey Struwe, AD, Lincoln HS, Sioux Falls, South Dakota Control the Controllables Learning from Mistakes

Miscellaneous Never asking for help Building a network Custodians, Office Managers, other AD’s, Principals Attend workshops, conferences Assuming coaches understand Work/Home Life not balanced Delegate Trust your team Make-up for the busier times in each season Lowering expectations Professional Development (Organizations/Clinics/Beyond X & O’s) Book Club 3D Coaching LTC Coaches Coaching Evaluations Not dealing with poor coaches/directors Miscellaneous

Brandon Clark Athletic/Activities Director Nixa Public Schools brandonclark@nixaschools.net Andy McGill Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Sikeston Public Schools amcgill@spsr6.org