Hangin With The AD Podcast

Brian Dodd sits down with us for the 5th instalment of his Top 10 Sports Leadership books list. Get ready to fill up your Amazon cart as Brain gives us some great ideas for our next book!

CLICK HERE to visit Brian's website and see the full list.

Today we head out west again and sit down with Tol Gropp who serves as the Activities Director at Timberline High School in Boise, Idaho. We talked about the importance of increasing your capacity and learning from failure in order to be your best self and navigating the demands of being an athletic administrator today. Let’s settle in and get to know Mr. Tol Gropp.

Today we head to the great state of Louisiana and sit down with Mister Kirkwood who serves as the athletics director and head boys basketball coach at Holy Cross School in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Mister believes in training the next generation of leaders up while surrounding yourself with good people in the process. Let’s settle in and get to know Mister Kirkwood. 

Today we head back west to sit down with Xavier Antheaume who serves as the Director of Athletics and Title IX Compliance for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, NV. We talk about the power of communication, positivity, and the desire to find fulfillment in the job of athletic administration. Let’s settle in and get to know Xavier Antheaume

Today we head to Virginia and sit down with one of great veteran leaders of our profession in Dick Kemper, the retired former Executive Director of the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association. 

Dick spoke to us about the power of not only continuing your professional development by taking LTC courses through the NIAAA but also giving back by teaching courses as well. We also talk about the courage needed to lead and the power of building positive relationships to help one grow in their leadership journey. Let’s settle in and get to know one of the best in Mr. Dick Kemper.

Today we head a few miles north and check in with Kelly Fish. Kelly is the Assistant Head of School for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives at Currey Ingram Academy in Brentwood, TN and served as the athletic director there for 11 years previously. A Bruce D. Whitehead Distinguished Service Award in 2023, Kelly grew up surrounded by athletics and educators who have impacted how she leads as we talk about leading through change and the importance lessons learn through education-based athletics that help prepare our young people for their next chapter as well as the difference between the middle and high school athlete. Let’s settle in and get to know Mrs. Kelly Fish.

Today it’s back to the college ranks for a conversation with a leader we have had on our short list for some time in Greg Byrne, who serves as the Director of Athletics at the University of Alabama. We talk about the importance of continual growth as a leader and learning from those on our team to ensure the overall department reaches it greatest potential. Let’s settle in and get to know Mr. Greg Byrne.

Today we stay close to home and head down to Milledgeville, Georgia and check-in with Wendell Staton who serves as the Director of Athletics for Georgia College and State University. This is a powerful conversation about keeping the first thing first as a leader and not getting lost in the job, which we all know if easy to do. Let’s settle in and get to know Mr. Wendell Staton.

Today we stay a little closer to home and head south to Lakeland Florida as we sit down with CMAA Dan Talbot who serves as the Senior Director of Athletics for the Polk County School System. We talk to Dan about a NIAAA course he has helped develop on managing tragedy within an athletic department. This is a heavy topic but one we need to lean into because, more likely than not, the skills learned from this upcoming course will be needed at some point in our careers. Let’s settle in and get to know Mr. Dan Talbot. 

Today we head north and meet with Dr. Troy Urdahl who serves as the Director of Athletics, Activities, Facilities, & Transportation at St. Anthony Village High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. We talk about how to get better each and every day and defining our leadership purpose as we guide those we serve. Let’s settle in and get to know Dr. Troy Urdahl.