In this episode of AD 360, host Greg Vandermade and co-host Scott Rosenberg talk with Christine Dahle, an athletic trainer at Fountain Valley High School, about the vital role of athletic trainers in sports. They explore Christine's journey into athletic training, the daily responsibilities and challenges faced by athletic trainers, and the importance of communication and relationships with coaches and parents. The conversation also touches on the hiring process for athletic trainers and how their performance can be evaluated effectively.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Athletic Training and Appreciation Month

01:36 Christine's Journey into Athletic Training

03:42 The Role and Daily Life of an Athletic Trainer

06:58 Navigating Relationships with Coaches and Parents

08:30 Adapting to Changes and New Mandates

11:43 Importance of Communication in Athletic Training

18:09 Hiring the Right Athletic Trainer

25:43 Evaluating Athletic Trainers' Performance

28:04 The Iceberg Analogy: Understanding Athletic Training

29:34 Building Trust: The Role of Athletic Trainers

31:52 Evaluating Athletic Trainers: The Four C's

32:11 Calm Under Pressure: Handling Emergencies

35:50 Budgeting for Athletic Training: Essentials vs. Luxuries

43:17 Memorable Experiences: A Day in the Life of an Athletic Trainer

48:49 Advice for Aspiring Athletic Trainers: Be a Sponge

In this episode, Greg Vandermade and Scott Rosenberg engage with Rich Porfido, a former athletic director, discussing the journey of transitioning out of the athletic director role.

They explore the importance of leveraging existing connections, identifying suitable job opportunities, and preparing for a smooth transition. The discussion highlights the challenges faced during the transition, the skills that translate well into new roles, and practical steps for athletic directors considering a career change.

The speakers emphasize the value of networking, continuous learning, and the need for careful planning when making such a significant career move.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Athletic Directorship and Transitioning Out

02:18 The Journey to Becoming an Athletic Director

05:24 Recognizing the Need for Change

10:04 Mentorship and Guidance in Transition

13:48 New Beginnings in Technology

17:10 Leveraging Connections for Career Transition

19:28 Finding the Right Fit in New Opportunities

21:23 Navigating Challenges in Transitioning Careers

27:05 Preparing for a Smooth Transition

31:57 Identifying Suitable Career Paths for Former ADs

35:25 Practical Steps for Athletic Directors Considering Change

In this episode of AD 360, we discuss the rise of girls flag football nationwide with insights from Dr. Jeff Sullivan, Director of Systemwide Athletics for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland.

Sullivan shares the initial steps to launching a program, overcoming challenges, the importance of community engagement, and the partnerships with NFL teams that have supported the initiative.

Our conversation highlights the significant impact of girls flag football on student participation and equity in high school athletics, as well as the future potential of the sport.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Girls Flag Football

02:11 Initial Steps to Launching a Program

05:03 Overcoming Challenges and Fears

08:50 The Impact of New Opportunities

10:00 Partnerships with NFL Teams

12:03 Building Excitement and Momentum

15:07 Training Coaches and Officials

18:14 Addressing Unexpected Challenges

22:03 The Rise in Popularity of Flag Football

24:57 Public Perception and Community Support

32:58 Future of Girls Flag Football

In this episode of AD 360, hosts Greg Vandermade and Scott Rosenberger share their craziest moments from their time as athletic directors. They discuss the challenges faced in their first years, unexpected chaos during game days, budgeting woes, legal troubles, and even encounters with celebrities at sporting events. Through their stories, they highlight the unpredictability of the role and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Crazy Athletic Director Stories

08:11 Unexpected Game Day Chaos

14:24 Budgeting Woes and Financial Lessons

22:51 Legal Trouble: The Weight of Leadership

26:29 Scottie Pippen Story

32:05 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Greg Vandermade and Scott Rosenberg discuss the significance of multi-sport participation in high school athletics. The discussion addresses misconceptions surrounding multi-sport athletes, the impact of travel teams on high school sports, and the importance of balancing commitments for student-athletes involved in multiple activities.

This conversation delves into the challenges and benefits of multi-sport participation for student-athletes. It highlights the impact of peer pressure, the role of athletic directors and coaches in fostering a supportive environment, and the influence of parents in encouraging or discouraging multi-sport involvement. The speakers emphasize the importance of communication, collaboration, and education in promoting a culture that values diverse athletic experiences for youth.

00:00 Holiday Reflections

13:34 Misconceptions and Challenges of Multi-Sport Athletes

21:37 Balancing Commitments: Multi-Sport and Multi-Activity Athletes

26:38 The Role of Athletic Directors in Multi-Sport Participation

33:01 Creating a Collaborative Coaching Culture

39:08 The Influence of Parents on Multi-Sport Participation

In this episode, Greg Vandermade and Scott Rosenberg discuss the evolving nature of National Letter of Intent (NLI) ceremonies for student-athletes. They explore the importance of planning, budgeting, and coordinating with families and coaches to create memorable events celebrating student athletes' achievements. The conversation highlights best practices for logistics, media engagement, and community involvement, emphasizing the significance of these ceremonies in the context of athletic programs and school marketing.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to NLI Ceremonies

07:25 Coordinating with Families and Coaches

15:32 Celebrating Student-athletes

21:54 Celebrating the Journey of Student-athletes

27:26 Equity in Recognition: Celebrating All Athletes

37:17 Memorable Moments: Personal Reflections on Signing Day

In this episode, Greg Vandermade, Dennis Nelson, and Scott Rosenberg discuss the intricacies of budgeting in public schools, particularly focusing on athletic departments. They explore the role of the business administrator, the process of determining financial needs for various sports, and the importance of community support through booster clubs. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced in budgeting, including state funding cuts and the necessity of maintaining good relationships with financial administrators.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Public School Budgeting

09:11 Determining Financial Needs for Sports

18:26 Leveraging Community Support and Booster Clubs

23:46 Challenges in Budgeting and Funding Cuts

34:35 Cost-Cutting Strategies Without Compromising Integrity

40:52 Advice for New Athletic Directors

In this episode, Greg Vandermade and Scott Rosenberg discuss the intricacies of athletic budgeting with Kelly Dullard, the Associate Director of Athletics at Mater Dei High School. They explore the importance of a well-structured budget, the differences between public and private school budgeting, and the key components that contribute to a successful athletic program. Kelly shares his insights on tracking expenses, fundraising, and the necessity of planning for future needs, emphasizing the critical role of organization and transparency in the budgeting process.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Athletic Budgeting

04:46 The Importance of a Well-Structured Budget

11:54 Starting the Budgeting Process

22:10 Key Components of Athletic Budgets

30:53 Fundraising Success and Community Support

34:23 Building Trust Through Transparency

38:02 Navigating Budget Pitfalls

41:41 Generating Additional Revenue

45:16 Strategies for Budget Cuts

49:30 Advice for New Athletic Directors

In this episode, Greg Vandermade and Scott Rosenberg dive into the critical role of social media for athletic directors. They discuss how ADs can use social media to connect with their communities, engage with student-athletes, and promote their programs.

The conversation covers strategies for maintaining consistency, navigating the dangers of social media, creating effective graphics, and managing crises.

The hosts also provide valuable advice for new athletic directors looking to establish their online presence and measure their success in the digital landscape.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Fall Vibes

02:45 Using Social Media to Connect with Communities

06:17 Exploring Different Social Media Platforms

09:34 Strategies for Engagement and Consistency

14:04 Navigating the Dangers of Social Media

19:05 Creating Effective Social Media Graphics

26:28 Behind-the-Scenes Content and Engagement

30:03 Crisis Management in Social Media

34:57 Advice for New Athletic Directors

39:12 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

In this episode, Greg Vandermade and Scott Rosenberg discuss the essential preparations athletic directors must undertake for the winter sports season. They explore the differences in logistics, facility management, transportation, and health and safety protocols compared to other seasons.

The conversation also highlights the importance of communication with coaches, parents, and students, as well as the challenges posed by regional variations in weather and sports offerings.

The hosts emphasize the need for ADs to balance sports commitments with family activities during the holiday season and the significance of technology in managing events and ensuring safety.

Chapters:

00:00 Preparing for Winter Sports Season

10:21 Logistical Challenges in Winter Sports

21:21 Regional Variations in Winter Sports

31:01 Balancing Sports and Other Activities

40:29 Final Thoughts on Winter Sports Preparation