UIAAA Connection

The podcast makes its fifth visit to New Jersey. UIAAA Connection #266 – Sean Dowling, CMAA, Director of Athletics – North Plainsfield High School, New Jersey - is now available. Sean grew up in Oyster Bay on Long Island, stayinginvolved in every youth sport available and later competing in collegiate football. Before stepping into athletic administration, he coached both football and lacrosse, experiences that shaped his leadership style. He findsdeep fulfillment in watching high school athletes grow and in helping transform team and school culture. Sean speaks warmly about the DAANJ and NIAAA families and shares the guiding mindset, “Forget About Me, I Love You.” He emphasizes active involvement within professional organizations. His advice encourages finding a trusted mentor and intentionally protecting time for family events whilenavigating the demands of the athletic director role. Thispodcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast makes another visit to Utah County. UIAAAConnection #265 – Matt Norman, Director of Athletics Alpine School District - is now available. Matt, the son of a BYU professor, attended Pleasant Grove High School and graduated in 1984 as a three-sport athlete. He playedcollegiate baseball for what is now UVU. He speaks warmly about influential mentors in his life, including his parents, Darold Henry, John Hoover, and Keith Allred. A unique moment in his story includes serving an LDS mission inChicago during the 1985 Super Bowl run. Matt reflects on how educational leadership and the athletic director role have evolved since the 1990s. He highlights Alpine School District incentives for completing LTC courses and the success of its Captains Academy. His advice emphasizes sharpening conversation skills and building strong relationships with every stakeholder. 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 second visit to North Dakota. UIAAA Connection #263 – Todd Olson, CMAA, Director of StudentActivities – Fargo Public Schools - is now available. Todd Olson grew up in Cavalier, North Dakota, in a family devoted to education, with a father serving as superintendent and amother teaching in the local school. In high school, Todd competed as a four-sport athlete and later played collegiate basketball for four years, finishing his career at Mayville State University. He discusses how technology and increasing parent expectations have reshaped the athletic director roleover the past twenty years. Todd contributed to the NIAAA Coaches Education and Certification Committees and reflects on his term as NIAAA president. Married to his wife Beth for thirty-five years, Todd advises athletic directors to stayorganized and to build strong networks with colleagues statewide and nationally. 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 another visit to Utah County. UIAAAConnection #263 – Wendy Anae, CAA – President of the UIAAA and Director of Athletics – Timpview High School - is now available. Wendy, one of the podcast’s few two-time guests, opens the conversation by reflecting on highlights from the recent NIAAA Conference in Tampa. As current UIAAA President, she shares takeaways from last spring’s Section meeting in Las Vegas alongside leaders from Arizona, Nevada, California, and Hawaii. Wendy outlines important UIAAA initiatives, including new board members, a mentoring cohort, a dedicated membership officer, and the UIAAA Professional Development Academy. Drawing on insights gained during eighteen months of board service; sheunderscores the power of professional growth through state and national conferences. Wendy closes by encouraging all athletic directors to attend the upcoming UIAAA State Conference in St. George, scheduled for April 15–18, 2026.

 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 another visit to Utah. UIAAA Connection#262 – Eric Kjar, Seven-time State football champion and recently hired head football coach for Weber State University - is now available. Eric grew up in Kemmerer, Wyoming, competing in baseball, track, basketball, and football during high school. He continued his football path at Snow College, then competed at Wayne State College in Nebraska, adding two years of collegiate track. Eric later head coached two football programs—eight seasons at Jordan High School and nine at Corner Canyon—building sustained excellence and consistency. Five former players reached the NFL: quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Jaxson Dart, plus linemenJackson Powers-Johnson, Tyler Larsen and Cody Larsen. Eric strongly champions multi-sport participation, viewing it as a foundation for long-term success and athlete development. Along with seven football championships, he proudly citesfive boys and one girls track titles at Corner Canyon. He emphasizes continual learning, growth, and evolution as a coach. His advice centers on serving athletes fully, developing them the right way, leading through relationships, staying authentic, and protecting time for family. 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 seventh visit to Florida. UIAAA Connection #261 – Nathan Whitaker, New York Times #1 Bestselling author - is now available. Nathan grew up in St. Petersburg and later in Gainesville, competing in baseball, basketball, and football during high school. He continued his athletic journey at Duke University, playing baseball and serving as a football kicker. A Harvard Law School graduate, Nathan built a professional career in sports management withthe Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He shared a powerful Chuck Noll quote: “If you let football rule your life, you are missing something,” prompting reflection beyond wins and championships. Nathan recently deliveredthe closing general session at the NIAAA conference in Tampa. Drawing from his work with Tony Dungy, he explains the SOUL of a team—Selflessness, Owning your role, Unified purpose, and a Larger mission. His advice emphasizes authenticity, continual growth, relationship-based leadership, and protecting time for family events.

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 Massachusetts. UIAAA Connection #260 – Ann Trytko, CAA, Executive Director - MSSADA, is now available. Ann grew up in WesternMassachusetts after her early years in Boston, attending parochial schools that offered limited athletic options for young women. She competed in basketball while also cheering for the boys’ team on the same days, gaining early insight into multiple roles. Her first teaching position came at a middle school, allowing her to coach independent athletes in skiing and gymnastics, sports not provided by the school. She speaks with gratitude about mentors Walter Sargentand Fran Whitten, both former Massachusetts executive directors. Her advice: call colleagues directly, engage locally, and stay active at state and national levels.

 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 Northern Utah. UIAAA Connection #259 – Ross Arnold, Director of Athletics at Ogden High School, is now available. Ross Arnold grew up in South Whitley, Indiana, excelling in three sports at WhitcoHigh School before attending BYU and serving a two-year LDS mission in Rome, Italy. After returning, he married, completed his degree, and student-taught at Fremont High, eventually spending 25 years on that campus while coaching threesports early in his career. He discusses the impact of AI and social media on athletic administration and emphasizes ongoing professional growth. He plans to take the CAA exam in April and highlights the value of certification. His advice: seek veteran ADs, find a trusted mentor, build strong relationships, and recognize the time demands of the job.

 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 Tooele County. UIAAA Connection #258 – Alex Huxford, CAA, Director of Athleticsat Grantsville High School, is now available. Alex grew up in Salem, Oregon, competing as a three-sport athlete before attending Ricks College and serving a two-year LDS mission. After returning, he studied at SUU, the “coaching factory,” and later coached three sports at Bonneville High with UIAAA legend Trever Wilson. He also coached alongside current Alta AD Jim Langford at Canyon View and completed a master’s degree at Idaho State University. He describes athleticadministration as a catch-all role and reflects on the uncertain future of interscholastic athletics. His advice: seek help without hesitation and offer sincere apologies when mistakes occur. 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 Oklahoma. UIAAA Connection #257 – Amanda Snider, CMAA, Assistant Director of Athletics at Broken Arrow High School, is now available. Amanda grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, graduating from Union High School as a three-sport athlete. She attended the University of Oklahoma and spent four years on the pom squad. After earning a journalism degree, she entered marketing before shifting into education and launching her coaching career in junior high. She highlights the value of professional certification and shares insights about balancing family life with her husband and two children. Her advice: protect the student-athlete experience, build relationships first, communicate clearly, and prioritize personal well-being.

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