ADInsider Podcast

The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and AD Insider have partnered to showcase specific, important topics for this school year, designed to help your athletic department excel. Join us for multiple episodes of the NIAAA Workshop Series!

THIS episode showcases a session from LAST Year's NADC Conference! Make sure you check out the upcoming LIVE workshops happening in Tampa at this year's 56th National Athletic Directors Conference. Check out the 2025 Workshop Schedule Here.

Episode #3, presented by Concordia University Irvine: Guiding Coaches Through Adversity

• Challenges: Coaches face tougher student behavior, parent pressure, and rising stress.
• Leadership: ADs must respond with calm, clarity, and emotional intelligence.
• Culture: Strong expectations / support systems reduce conflict and burnout.
• Communication: Listen early, speak clearly, and follow through consistently.
• Empathy: Understanding / connection builds trust with coaches.
• Engagement: Sharing experiences strengthens programs and problem-solving.

 
Workshop Featured Experts:

• Don Newberry, CMAA: Currently the District Athletic Director at New Richmond Exempted Village School District (OH) -- An NIAAA-recognized CMAA, Mr. Newberry previously served as AD at Shroder High School, contributing to facility upgrades and the Quality Program Award.
• Lisa Gingras, CMAA: Currently the District Athletic Director at Nashua School District (NH) -- 2024 Bruce D. Whitehead Distinguished Service Award recipient and former NIAAA Board Member. Recognized for outstanding leadership and service in interscholastic athletics.

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The NIAAA champions the profession of athletic administration through educational opportunities, advocating ethics, developing leaders, and fostering community. Find more information on their website here: niaaa.org.

Support the show

AD Insider, in collaboration with the NIAAA and Human Kinetics, is proud to present an exclusive interview with John E. Johnson, retired high school athletic director and college law professor (Webster University for 38 years), former practicing attorney, and consultant for the NIAAA as well as legal counsel for the NFHS.

In this special feature, John shares insights from his chapter on "Legal Duties and Safety Concerns" in the newly released NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration - 2nd Edition.

Key Takeaways:

• ADs lead first: tasks can be delegated, but leadership cannot
• Coaches are your best agents and a reflection of your program
• Supervision matters: common sense, common law, & accountability
• Hire wisely: coaches must know the game and the kids
• Lawsuits often stem from weak leadership and poor oversight
• You can't "contract away" liability: waivers don't guarantee safety
• Title IX implications and the 14 legal duties of athletic administrators

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...Inside the Book

NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration - 2nd Edition

Ebook - Click Here
Paperback - Click Here

The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) strives to preserve, enhance, and promote education-based athletics through the professional development of athletic administrators. The NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration, Second Edition, is the organization's primary text to further that mission.

Designed for current and aspiring administrators, the text addresses the role and responsibilities of an administrator as well as the skills essential for managing an athletic program that provides quality sport opportunities for student-athletes. The second edition features many new contributors, all experienced professionals who bring fresh and diverse perspectives to the issues affecting today's administrators.

Packed with advice, examples, and tools, this guide equips you to excel in the complex, demanding, and rewarding role of athletic administrator.

Support the show

The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and AD Insider have partnered to showcase specific, important topics for this school year, designed to help your athletic department excel. Join us for multiple episodes of the NIAAA Workshop Series!

Episode #2, presented by Eventlink: How ADs Can Obtain, Support, and Retain Officials

• Aging & Retention - Officials are leaving within three years, highlighting the need for retraining and stronger support.
• Safe Haven - ADs can directly impact officials' experiences through parking, bathroom and locker room access, & more!
• Respect & Treatment - While pay is usually fixed, HOW an AD treats officials is completely in their control.
• Changing Perceptions - Addressing the stigma of officials being seen as "the bad guys" and reducing parent/coach hostility.
• Recruiting the Next Generation - Filling the gap between young and veteran officials by actively promoting the career path.
• Education & Resources - Leveraging NFHS Learn and RefReps to humanize officiating, train stakeholders, and strengthen teams.

 
Workshop Host and Featured Experts:

• Host: Becky Moran, CMAA: Associate Executive Director -- National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA)
• Dr. David Pillar: Director of Education Integration and Advancement with RefReps -- Also a past coach, AD, & administrator for 23 years, and an Official in Indiana for 27 years (Basketball, Softball, Volleyball)
• Dana Pappas: Director of Officiating Services for the NFHS (5th year) -- Previously, worked with the New Mexico Activities Association 24 years

The NIAAA champions the profession of athletic administration through educational opportunities, advocating ethics, developing leaders, and fostering community. Find more information on their website here:

 niaaa.org.

Support the show

The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and AD Insider have partnered up to showcase specific, important topics for this upcoming school year, designed to help your athletic department excel. Join us for multiple episodes of the NIAAA Workshop Series!

Episode #1, presented by Concordia University Irvine: When Seconds Count: EAPs in School Sports

• AED Awareness & Access - Why they're critical, how to keep them accessible, and key use basics.
• Distribution Programs - Opportunities schools can leverage to improve emergency preparedness.
• Albuterol Availability - The importance of having quick access for asthma emergencies and current practices in schools.
• Catastrophic Injury Data - Statistics by sport and position, plus an overview of state-specific laws.
• Legal Responsibilities - Understanding the obligations and liabilities athletic departments must be aware of.

 
Workshop Host and Featured Experts:

• Host: Becky Moran, CMAA: Associate Executive Director - National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA)
• Kristen L. Kucera, PhD, MSPH, ATC, LAT - Professor - Exercise and Sport Science, Director - National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research -- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
• Dr. Neha Raukar, MD, MS, FACEP, CAQSM - Physician & Vice Chair at Mayo Clinic, Emergency & Sports Medicine Specialist, 20+ Years of Elite Athlete Care

 The NIAAA champions the profession of athletic administration through educational opportunities, advocating ethics, developing leaders, and fostering community. Find more information on their website here: niaaa.org.

Support the show

AD Insider, in collaboration with the NIAAA and Human Kinetics, is proud to present an exclusive interview with Gary Stevens, CMAA. Gary spent almost 11 years as an Athletic Administrator at Bonny Eagle High School (Standish, ME), then 17 years as Athletic Administrator at Thornton Academy (Saco, ME), and then as Interim Athletic Director for a year at Saint Joseph's College (Standish, ME).

In this special feature, Todd shares insights from his chapter on "Event Management" in the newly released NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration - 2nd Edition.

Key Takeaways:

• Effective event management requires planning, collaboration, and safety focus.
• First impressions at facilities set the tone for athlete/fan experiences.
• Crowd management strategies improve overall event success.
• Technology tools (like electronic ticketing/drones) play a vital role.
• Continuous learning and reflection help ADs adapt.

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...Inside the Book

NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration - 2nd Edition

Ebook - Click Here
Paperback - Click Here

The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) strives to preserve, enhance, and promote education-based athletics through the professional development of athletic administrators. The NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration, Second Edition, is the organization's primary text to further that mission.

Designed for current and aspiring administrators, the text addresses the role and responsibilities of an administrator as well as the skills essential for managing an athletic program that provides quality sport opportunities for student-athletes. The second edition features many new contributors, all experienced professionals who bring fresh and diverse perspectives to the issues affecting today's administrators.

Packed with advice, examples, and tools, this guide equips you to excel in the complex, demanding, and rewarding role of athletic administrator.

Support the show

AD Insider, in collaboration with the NIAAA and Human Kinetics, is proud to present an exclusive interview with Todd Olson, CMAA, Director of Student Activities for the Fargo Public School District (ND). Todd spent 14 years as a teacher and basketball coach and also served as the NIAAA President in 2019.

In this special feature, Todd shares insights from his chapter on "Time and Life Management" in the newly released NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration - 2nd Edition.

Key Takeaways:

• How to categorize your tasks: "important," "urgent," and "not urgent"
• Using a time log to discover hidden patterns and productivity leaks
• The power of saying "no" and protecting your personal time
• Strategies for scheduling time with your family
• Why self-care is NOT a luxury, but a necessity

----------------------------------------------------

...Inside the Book

NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration - 2nd Edition

Ebook - Click Here
Paperback - Click Here

The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) strives to preserve, enhance, and promote education-based athletics through the professional development of athletic administrators. The NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration, Second Edition, is the organization's primary text to further that mission.

Designed for current and aspiring administrators, the text addresses the role and responsibilities of an administrator as well as the skills essential for managing an athletic program that provides quality sport opportunities for student-athletes. The second edition features many new contributors, all experienced professionals who bring fresh and diverse perspectives to the issues affecting today's administrators.

Packed with advice, examples, and tools, this guide equips you to excel in the complex, demanding, and rewarding role of athletic administrator.

Support the show

AD Insider, in collaboration with the NIAAA and Human Kinetics, is proud to present an exclusive interview with Jeremy Schlitz, CAA, Athletic Director for the Madison Metropolitan School District (WI).

In this special feature, Schlitz shares insights from his chapter on "Communication" in the newly released NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration - 2nd Edition.

----------------------------------------------------

...Inside the Book

NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration - 2nd Edition

Ebook - Click Here
Paperback - Click Here

The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) strives to preserve, enhance, and promote education-based athletics through the professional development of athletic administrators. The NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration, Second Edition, is the organization's primary text to further that mission.

Designed for current and aspiring administrators, the text addresses the role and responsibilities of an administrator as well as the skills essential for managing an athletic program that provides quality sport opportunities for student-athletes. The second edition features many new contributors, all experienced professionals who bring fresh and diverse perspectives to the issues affecting today's administrators.

Packed with advice, examples, and tools, this guide equips you to excel in the complex, demanding, and rewarding role of athletic administrator.

Support the show

In this AD Insider | Thursday 30 episode, presented by HomeTown Ticketing, we sat down with Ben Tensay, CMAA, the District Director of Athletics at Bloomfield Schools in Bloomfield, New Mexico. Topics covered in this episode include: Creating an effective budget tracking worksheet, how to communicate budgets to all stakeholders, and managing personnel to maximize value

Download the Athletic Budget Template Excel File Here.

Support the show

In this AD Insider | Thursday 30 episode, presented by HomeTown Ticketing, we sat down with Dr. Jeff Sullivan, CMAA, the Director of Systemwide Athletics for Montgomery County Public Schools in Rockville, Maryland.

Topics covered in this episode include: Maximizing your summer to build momentum for next Fall, empowering your staff with a key initiatives plan, and administrative systems to ensure sustainability.

Support the show

In this AD Insider | Thursday 30 episode, presented by Concordia University Irvine, we take you to the foothills of Boulder, Colorado to learn from Harry Waterman, Boulder Valley School District Director of Athletics, and 3 of his campus athletic directors on: How to build an athletic review committee, establishing school unity at the district level, mitigating sportsmanship issues, professional development for ADs, benefits of school location, managing mountain biking and skiing, first year at a school advice, stages of an athletic director's career, and what decisions NOT to make at the end of the year.

Athletic Administrators featured: Harry Waterman, Director of Athletics - Boulder Valley School District (CO), Eric Gustafson, Campus Athletic Director - Monarch High School (CO), Nick Kosovich, Campus Athletic Director - Fairview High School (CO), and Sean DePaula, Campus Athletic Director - Nederland Middle-Senior High School (CO).

Support the show