November/December 2022 - 8

A.D.MINISTRATION
AN ATHLETIC
DIRECTOR'S LEGACY
By Dr. David Hoch, retired CMAA
A
s an athletic
administrator,
you have an
enormous number
of tasks and
responsibilities.
This means that
there is never a
time in which
you don't have
something to do.
Whether you are in
the position for one
or twenty years,
therefore, you probably never thought about how you will
be remembered. You just try to do the best that you can to
get through each day.
But there will come a time when you will step aside.
This could be due to being completely spent and worn
out, and it is simply time to retire. Perhaps you are ready
for a new challenge and will look to move into another
position, or there could be family concerns that require
your attention. For whatever reason, your tenure as an
athletic administrator will end at some point. What
will your legacy be, and this may be a more complicated
question than it seems?
In many school districts, most people - administrators,
teachers, parents, and community members - do not
understand what an athletic administrator does. You are
very much like an iceberg. No, that doesn't mean that you
are frigid. But think about icebergs. About 15% is visible
above the waterline, and the other 85% is submerged.
Individuals see you at games, serving as the master of
ceremonies at award programs, and hosting preseason
parent meetings. Many naturally assume that you
schedule games, buses, and officials, and this would be
correct. But for those countless items that are below the
8 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
waterline, virtually no one realizes that you handle them.
Much of what you do is behind the scenes, out of sight,
and yet, essential for the operation of your program.
If a new facility is built or refurbished during your
tenure, that could be part of your legacy. And most
athletic administrators want the best facilities for
their student-athletes and coaches. Safety, sufficient
room, the needed amenities, and the desire to have
attractive venues for practice sessions and games are
understandable goals. But shouldn't there be more that
is involved with an athletic administrator's legacy than
easily visible facilities? Yes, absolutely. Or at least, there
better be!
Assuming that you embrace the concept of educationbased
athletics, the following are some items or aspects
that should be part of your legacy.
* Hired the best individuals for your coaching
positions. You are not, or should not, be looking for
candidates only with winning records and a string of
championships. It is much more important to bring
on board exemplary people with great character and
positive qualities such as being nurturing, supportive,
enthusiastic, encouraging, and others. Because that
is what is needed to provide the best environment for
your student-athletes.
* Provided professional development and mentoring for
your coaching staff. It is a legal responsibility to help
coaches to grow, develop and improve by providing
training (this is outlined as one of the 14 legal duties
in the NIAAA Leadership Training Course 504).
There is always something more to learn in terms of
risk management, sports medicine developments and
best practices. Your student-athletes are the ultimate
beneficiaries of coaches who are well informed and
this all starts with an athletic administrator creating
and providing these opportunities.
* Supported and showed appreciation for your
November/December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2022
