UIAAA Connection

The podcast is making another visit to Cashe Valley. UIAAA Connection #286 – Kevin Andersen, Director of Athletics – Mt. Crest High School – is now available. Kevin spent his early years in Grace, Idaho, before moving during his freshmanyear and eventually graduating from Mountain Crest High School, where he now serves at his alma mater. His professional journey began at Bear Lake High School in Montpelier, Idaho, followed by stops at Ogden and Sky View before returning home to Mountain Crest. Kevin shares an interesting family connection to basketball history, noting that NBA legend Dick Motta coached his father at Grace High School, while his dad also competed alongside longtime Jazzassistant Phil Johnson. His advice encourages athletic directors to ask questions freely and ensure people around them feel valued, appreciated, and included.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2L2ERXOxQcuHl5GE1vjOiH

This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making another visit to southern Utah. UIAAA Connection #285 – Dan Stewart -Founder, and Russ Orvin – Director of Business – Strike Visual - is now available. Russ and Dan join the podcast to share perspectives shaped by unique personal and professional journeys. Russ, born in AmericanFork, later lived in Winslow (think Eagles) and Mesa, Arizona, and gained international experience through time spent in Mainland China and the Middle East. Dan, born in Logan and raised in Farmington, now calls St. George home while continuing recovery from a recent airplane crash. Together, they discuss the growing trend of athletic directors having more put on their plate each year. They also explain the recent business partnership with the UIAAA and its potential impact on student and member scholarships connected to the national conference. Russ encourages listeners to “remember the one” and align with strong examples of leadership. Dan emphasizes staying connected to your purpose and maintaining personal identity while supporting student-athletes.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2L2ERXOxQcuHl5GE1vjOiH

This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making its fifth visit to Hawaii. UIAAA Connection #284 – Greg Van Cantfort, CMAA, Director of Athletics – Kalani HS – retired - is now available. Gregentered the world in Maryland during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis and shares a memorable story connected to that moment in history. In third grade, his family relocated to San Francisco, where he completed elementary, junior high, and high school. Soccer became a major part of his life, eventuallyleading him to Chaminade University in Hawaii as a goalkeeper. After arriving in Hawaii, he never left and continues following the Belgian National Soccer Team closely. Greg reflects warmly on Hawaii athletic leadership legends and experiences from his NIAAA Board service. His advice: don’t allow the profession to consume your life, and whenever you attend a conference, take an idea home and share it with others.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2L2ERXOxQcuHl5GE1vjOiH

This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making another visit to Eastern Utah. UIAAA Connection #283 – Camie Oakey, CAA, Assistant Athletics Director – Union High School – is now available. Camie grew up in South Jordan, Utah, before relocating to Oklahoma during junior high and later to Dallas for high school. A talented basketball player, she competed four years for the University of Utah and contributed to the Utes’Elite Eight run under legendary coach Elaine Elliott in the early 2000s. Alongside athletic director responsibilities, Camie continues coaching girls’ basketball and teaching health, maintaining strong daily connections with students and athletes. Her advice encourages athletic directors to lean intomentorship, ask questions without hesitation, and build trust with coaches by consistently showing support and standing beside them through challenges and successes alike.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2L2ERXOxQcuHl5GE1vjOiH

This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making its fifth visit to Washington. UIAAA Connection #282 – Jeff Lowell, CAA, Director of Athletics, Activities and Title IX – Bellevue School District - is now available. Jeff grew up in a military family as the son of anaval pilot, living in several states and spending part of his elementary years in Norway, where baseball first captured his interest. He also serves as the chair of LTC 508. Throughout the podcast, he reflects on decades in athletic administration and speaks with admiration for many WSAAA legends, including his father-in-law, Tom Doyle. Jeff emphasizes the importance of understanding your personal “why” as an athletic director and allowing that purpose to guideleadership decisions. His advice encourages building a trusted network outside your district for perspective and ensuring school administrators recognize the value of state and national athletic director associations.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2L2ERXOxQcuHl5GE1vjOiH

This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making another visit to Central Utah. UIAAA Connection #281 – Harold Robinson, CAA, Assistant Principal – Millard High School – is now available. Harold grew up in Fillmore, Utah, and served an LDS mission in Oklahoma between studies at Ricks College and Snow College. His path into interscholastic athletics began while coaching junior varsity basketball and working in the insurance industry. Later, he earned an advanced degree in counseling from Utah State University, expanding his opportunities in education and leadership. Harold spent time working in Driggs, Idaho, before returning to Fillmore, where he served as an elementary principal and eventually returned to his alma mater. His advice encourages athletic directors to pursue proper training and certification while recognizing the strong professional network available to support growth and success.

This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making its second visit to South Dakota. UIAAA Connection #280 – Jim Dorman, CMAA, Executive Director -SDIAAA - is now available. Jim grew up in Castlewood, South Dakota, where he and his three brothers worked for their father at the local newspaper, gaining early lessons in responsibility and commitment. Athletics at SDSU shaped his perspective, especially after starting as a junior and not seeing the field as a senior, an experience that strengthened resilience and perspective. He has served as Executive Director in South Dakota for more than twenty-five years and recently completed a three-year term on the NIAAA Board of Directors. Dorman emphasizes maintaining a positive mental attitude and encourages athletic directors to engage in theirstate association and fully support new AD workshops.

 This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast makes its first visit to Mississippi. UIAAA Connection #279 – Tabitha Beard, Co-Activities Director – Oxford School District - is now available. Tabitha shares her journey from Columbus, Mississippi, where early experiencesbabysitting and working at Winn-Dixie shaped a strong work ethic while she competed in softball, basketball, and track. She emphasizes the value of face-to-face communication in an age dominated by social media, encouraging authentic personal connection. Now serving as Secretary-Elect for the NIAAA, Beard highlights the unseen influence leaders carry and reminds listeners that everyday interactions leave lasting impressions. Her advice centers on setting boundaries early, learning to say no when necessary, and trusting that decisions grounded in what benefits students ultimately lead to success and confidence in leadership.

This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making its fourth visit to Hawaii. UIAAA Connection #278 – Keith Morioka, CAA, Retired HIADA - is now available. Kiki shares reflections on growing up in Hawaii and attending a private high school that shaped his early educational and athletic experiences. He recalls meaningful involvement with the HIADA and later service on the NIAAA Board, highlighting mentors and Hawaii legends such as Irv Kau, Blane Gleason, Coach Don Bothello,Mel Imai, Herb Lloyd, Darren Oshiro, and Greg VanCanfort. Morioka speaks warmly about teaching in Hana on Maui, where community connections strengthened hisprofessional purpose. His advice encourages learning everything possible about one’s school and league, committing to lifelong growth, and joining both stateassociations and the NIAAA to build knowledge and professional relationships.

This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making another visit to the Granite School District. UIAAA Connection #277 – Jeremy Barlow, Director ofAthletics – Granger High - is now available. Jeremy grew up in Enterprise, Utah, where sports and farm life shaped his work ethic and competitive drive. A multi-sport athlete atEnterprise High School, he later served an LDS mission in Los Angeles before earning his degree from Southern Utah University in 2009, often known as the “Coaching Factory.” Over eight years as an athletic administrator, he hasdeveloped a deep appreciation for daily interaction with student-athletes and the opportunity to influence their growth. His advice encourages leaders to remain authentic, trust their instincts, and never hesitate to ask questions inpursuit of continual improvement. This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox,Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.