UIAAA Connection

The podcast makes another visit to Utah County. UIAAA Connection #256 – Toby Ryan, Director of Athletics – Timpanogos High School, is now available. Toby, Directorof Athletics at Timpanogos for the past year and a half, previously served as assistant AD under Frank Bramhall. Born in West Valley City, he moved to Sterling, Utah, in eighth grade and graduated from Manti High School. After serving an LDS mission in Montreal, Quebec, Toby became one of the firstgraduates of Utah Valley University. He taught and coached in Chandler, Arizona, before returning to Utah in 2010. His advice: never forget your roots, maintain a clear vision for your program, and know the direction you want to take it. Thispodcast 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 third visit to Tennessee.UIAAA Connection #255 – Dan Schlafer, CAA, Board of Control - TSSAA, is now available. Dan grew up in Kentucky and graduated from high school in Knoxville, Tennessee. His father served as a pastor, and his mother taught piano. An all-around athlete, he played football at Carson Newman University before beginning a long career in education as a head football coach, athletic director, principal, and superintendent. He is the only podcast guest who has taught at both Baptist and a Catholic high school. Drawing inspiration from Dabo Swinney, he reminds listeners: “Let the light that shines in you be brighter than the light that shines on you.” His final message—don’t cling to titles and finish strong with the time you have left. 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 Alabama. UIAAA Connection #254 – Tara Osborne, CMAA, Assistant Director –AHSAA, is now available. Tara grew up in Trion, Georgia, excelling in three sports before competing in basketball at Columbus State University. Supported by her parents andgrandparents, she built a strong foundation in athletics and leadership. She reflects on her service with the NIAAA Board and her courageous battle with breast cancer. Now overseeing swimming, diving, cheer, and flag football forthe AHSAA, she continues to impact student-athletes statewide. Her advice: don’t be too hard on yourself or let doubt dictate choices—make decisions that serve all students. Given the opportunity, she says she would proudly do it all again.

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 fourth visit to Washington. UIAAAConnection #253 – Scott Nordi, CMAA, former Director of Athletics – Lakes High School, is now available. Scott, a Tacoma native and Mt. Tahoma High School graduate, played football for his father, who also served as the school’s AD. After earning a degree in athletic training from the University of Washington and later a teaching certificate, he spent nearly two decades as an athletic director at two schools. Scott shares insights from his work with WSSAAA and the NIAAA Board, including writing LTC 718 on dealing with tragedyand launching it in Austin. He pays tribute to Washington legends Tim Graham, Dave Tikker, Jim Piccollo and Dave Lutes, and advises: get involved, seek mentors, and mentor others to pay it forward. 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 Utah. UIAAA Connection #252 – Everett Kelepolo, CMAA, Executive Director – UIAAA, is now available. Everett, one of a veryfew two-time guests on the podcast opens by highlighting the productive NEDC Summer Summit in Asheville, North Carolina. Everett, Executive Director of the UIAAA for the past sixteen months, shares insights from attending stateconferences in Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii. He highlights key UIAAA developments, including new board members, a mentoring cohort, a membership officer, and the launch of the UIAAA Professional Development Academy. Everettemphasizes the value of professional growth through national and state conferences, reflecting on experiences from the last three national gatherings and encouraging all athletic directors to join the upcoming UIAAA state conference in St. George this April. 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 Cashe County. UIAAA Connection #251 – Wendy Egbert, Assistant Director of Athletics – Mountain Crest High School, is now available. Wendy grew up in Jerome, Idaho, competing in three sports during high school before earning a track scholarship to Utah State University. She shares her remarkable experience participating in the 1996 Olympic Trials in Atlanta, Georgia. Wendy began her education career at Mound Fort Junior High in Ogden, later stepping away to raise her children beforejoining the Mountain Crest faculty once they grew older. She emphasizes the value of connecting with others, advising athletic directors to reach out to peers and build meaningful relationships with their student-athletes. Please Listen, Learn, and Share! You can subscribe to UIAAA TV on YouTube! 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 Summit County. UIAAA Connection #250 – Brian Jacketta, Director of Athletics – South Summit High School, is now available. Brian grew up in Magna, Utah, proud to call himself a Cyprus Pirategraduate. He competed in football, basketball, and baseball as a youth and earned a math degree from the University of Utah. Over his career, Brian taught and coached at six different high schools across Utah, returning to some for multiple stints. In addition, he has served in the Utah Army Reserve for morethan 30 years, including 14 on active duty. Now pursuing his CAA, Brian advises athletic directors to lean on their peers and never hesitate to admit, “I don’t understand.” 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 first visit to Alabama. UIAAA Connection #249 – Dan Norton, CMAA, Former Director of Athletics – Auburn City Schools, is now available. Dangrew up in Auburn, Alabama, playing a wide range of sports throughout his youth. After graduating from Auburn University, he dedicated 25 years to education as a cross-country coach, shaping countless student-athletes. With astrong passion for supporting and promoting athletic directors in Alabama, he now serves as the state’s professional development coordinator and contributesnationally as a member of the LTC 721 faculty. Dan’s advice emphasizes keeping balance in life, learning to delegate responsibilities effectively, and ensuring administrators fully understand the vital role athletic directors play in strengthening schools and communities.

The podcast is making another visit to Northern Utah. UIAAA Connection #248 – Mary Kay Amicone, recent inductee into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and former Head Coach – Softball, Weber State University, is now available. Mary KayAmicone grew up in Anaheim, California, spending her childhood playing street games, night games, and “over the line.” Inspired by her mother, who played for the Orange Lionettes softball team, she developed a lifelong passion forsports. After moving to Utah during junior high, she raduated from Murray High and began a coaching career that included roles as assistant at the University of Utah, head coach at Salt Lake Community College, Weber State, and BYU. She later became the first woman to coach a boys’ baseball team in Utah at Jordan High, facing cultural challenges. Mary Kay emphasizes trust, loyalty, and cautions about NIL and the transfer portal. Her advice: know your why and understandyour team’s culture. 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 North Carolina. UIAAA Connection #247 – Deran Coe, CMAA, Director of Athletics – Wake County School System, is now available. Deran grew up in Western Pennsylvania in an athleticfamily, guided by a father who coached. He competed in many sports before attending Clarion University, where his leadership path continued to develop. Now serving as district athletic director, he oversees 26 high schools and 36middle schools. Deran chairs LTC 709 for the NIAAA, and coordinates LTI efforts for North Carolina. He offers a unique perspective on failure, describing it as the “first attempt in learning.” His advice: get involved at the state level, find a trusted mentor, and avoid carrying tough decisions too heavily. This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify,Stitcher, and YouTube.