1. THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR IS THE PRINCIPAL’S BEST FRIEND

2. 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!

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

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

12. 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

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

14. 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?

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. 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

21. 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

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

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

24. 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

25. Carter Paysinger