EPISODE #6 … Tommy Marshall

Today’s guest is Tommy Marshall. Tommy serves as the Director of Athletics at the Marist School in Atlanta, Ga. A two-time President of the Georgia Athletic Director’s Association and a 2015 GADA Hall of Fame inductee, Marshall was also elected by the national membership to serve as an at-large member on the Board of Directors for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). 

Coach Marshall has been in athletic administration for over 30 years and his impact on Marist can be found in the numerous sportsmanship awards and state titles that are displayed on the walls and trophy cases throughout the school’s Centennial Assembly Center. Sports Illustrated named Marist the 15th ranked high school athletic program in America, and Marist was awarded the GADA Directors Cup for Best Overall Athletic Program for 16 consecutive years, all under Marshall’s leadership. 

Before becoming athletic director at Marist, Marshall coached football, basketball, baseball, tennis and wrestling at the high school and college levels. As the head football coach at Walton High School, he was named Cobb County Coach-of-the-Year for three consecutive years and was a part of championship football teams at both Furman University as well as Marist. I hope you enjoy our time with Mr. Tommy Marshall. 

 1:37- Introduction
3:26- The Uniqueness of a Being a Leader at the Marist School
4:23- Attending & Participating in Practices as the AD
6:29- Being Involved with the NIAAA and GADA (state AD association)
7:54- Knowing Their Names-Athletes and Coaches
9:38- Teaching Your Student Spectators the Expectations for Sporting Events
              -What does it look like to sit amongst our fans at games?
12:38- Coaches/Staff Meetings
15:10- Leading a ‘Family’ Athletic Community
17:30- Support Staff & Delegating for the Athletic Administrator
20:34- The Marist Blue & Gold Circle- Recognizing Key Contributors to your Athletic Program
22:10- Developing an Athletic Handbook
26:00- Expanding Your Programs’ Exposure using Pixellot & NFHS Network
              Public Address Announcer Guidelines & Code of Conduct
30:54- Importance of a Leader Having a Personal Mission Statement
32:20- The Incredible Value of a Supportive Spouse 
34:29- 2-Minute Drill

 You can follow Marist Athletics and Tommy Marshall on social media--Twitter: @MaristBooster 

Find more about Mr. Tommy Marshall and the Marist School Athletics at: https://www.marist.com/athletics/war-eagle-athletics

About Hangin With The AD Podcast….

Hangin with the AD is an interview style podcast where Don Baker, Cobb County School District Director of Athletics, partners with Josh Mathews, Pope High School (GA) Athletic Director, to discuss hot topics and lessons learned with leaders in the world of athletics.  These leaders include high school athletic directors at the district and local school levels; college athletic administrators; leaders in spaces that connect to athletics such as nutrition, wellness, recruiting, student-athlete recognition; current and former athletes; and others, who can help athletic administrators develop themselves and their programs for a better daily experience for their athletic communities.          

Don Baker.... Director of Athletics for the Cobb County School District in Georgia. @CCSD_AD (twitter & instagram)

Josh Mathews...Athletics Director at Pope High School in Marietta, GA. @mathews14 (twitter) @jwmathews14 (instagram)