Episode # 79: Dr. Mike Blackburn, Retiring Executive Director NIAAA

Today’s guest needs no introduction. Dr. Mike Blackburn, CMAA is the outgoing Executive Director of the NIAAA and today we talk legacy with this great leader who has invested over 50 years in education-based athletics. Dr. Blackburn has seen the NIAAA from its creation to a organization made up of over 14,000 members and a 2022 conference that saw almost 3,000 athletic administrators from across the country come together at the NADC in Nashville. 

So much of the blueprint of the NIAAA and the profession we all love was developed and nurtured by Dr. Blackburn and as he looks to his next chapter we look back and learn from one of the best. Let’s settle in and get to know Dr. Mike Blackburn.

1:13- Introduction 

3:27- Did Mike McGurk drive you into retirement?

5:15- Getting started with the NIAAA

8:55- Highlights of his time at the NIAAA

20:09- Leadership Style

26:48- Purpose of the NIAAA

36:53- A 53 year career in Education!

37:54- 2 Minute Drill

Social Media Connections: Twitter:  @showingtheway

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.          

We hope you enjoy the time we spend with these special guests.  Please leave us a review or rating to help us know how you were benefited from this podcast or how we can improve it.  Thank you for listening.  And until next time, thank you for spending your time, Hangin with the AD.         
 
 Don Baker, CMAA.... Director of Athletics for the Cobb County School District in Georgia. @CCSD_AD (twitter & instagram)

Josh Mathews, CMAA...Athletics Director at Pope High School in Marietta, GA (East Cobb) @jwmathews14 (twitter & instagram)