History of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association

    Building the Profession of Athletic Administration in Texas

    Prior to 1955, athletic administration in Texas was still in its infancy. Only six school districts employed full-time Athletic Directors: Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Dallas, El Paso, and Austin. As Texas experienced unprecedented population growth during the 1950s and 1960s, additional school districts recognized the need for dedicated athletic leadership, expanding the profession into communities such as Amarillo, Lubbock, Odessa, and Corpus Christi.

    Despite the rapid growth of interscholastic athletics, there was no professional organization dedicated exclusively to serving athletic administrators.

    That changed in the spring of 1970.

    During a statewide meeting of health and physical education administrators in Houston, a group of Athletic Directors gathered separately to discuss the unique challenges facing athletic administration. Led by Houston ISD Athletic Director Joe Tusa, twenty-two athletic administrators from across Texas met for what would become the defining moment in the profession’s history.

    Recognizing the need for year-round collaboration, professional development, and a unified voice, the group voted to establish the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association (THSADA). While maintaining a strong partnership with the Texas High School Coaches Association, the new organization would operate independently with its own charter, Board of Directors, and bylaws.

    The Association’s founding officers were:

    • Joe Bill Fox (North East ISD) – President
    • Stoney Phillips (Pasadena ISD) – Vice President
    • Lon Goldstein (Fort Worth ISD) – Secretary

    In 1971, the first THSADA Conference was held at the La Mansion Hotel in San Antonio. With no operating budget, the hotel agreed to defer payment until after the conference concluded—a testament to the commitment and determination of the Association’s founders. More than fifty athletic administrators attended, laying the foundation for what has become one of the nation’s premier professional associations for athletic administrators.

    Reflecting on those early years, founding President Joe Bill Fox stated:

    “These early-day leaders paved the way for an organization that is held in such high esteem today.”

    For more than four decades, the THSADA operated successfully as a volunteer-led organization. As Texas athletics continued to expand in size and complexity, the Board of Directors recognized the need for full-time executive leadership to enhance member services, strengthen advocacy efforts, and elevate the profession.

    In March 2012, Rusty Dowling, former Director of Athletics for Katy ISD, was selected as the Association’s first Executive Director. This marked a transformational period in THSADA history. Under full-time leadership, the Association expanded its professional staff, increased statewide engagement, strengthened strategic partnerships, and significantly enhanced educational programming and member services.

    In 2014, the THSADA adopted a new governance model that created statewide representation across all eight regions while establishing an annual election process for the office of President-Elect, ensuring continuity in leadership and greater member involvement.

    Today, the THSADA delivers year-round programming through three cornerstone events:

    • THSADA State Conference held annually each June.
    • Fall Forum, providing leadership and professional development each October.
    • Spring Sponsor Showcase, connecting members with industry partners while delivering additional educational opportunities each March.

    Monthly regional meetings, standing committees, and statewide leadership initiatives further ensure that members remain connected and engaged throughout the year.

    Professional education has become the hallmark of the Association. THSADA now offers a comprehensive leadership development pathway through:

    • Texas Athletic Administrators Certification (TAAC), the state’s premier certification program for athletic administrators.
    • QUAD A (Aspiring Athletic Administrators Academy), preparing future athletic directors for leadership roles.
    • JHAMS (Junior High Athletic Management Series), developed specifically for junior high and middle school athletic coordinators.

    These programs have established THSADA as the national leader in professional education for athletic administrators.

    Now celebrating more than 55 years of service, the THSADA represents more than 2,000 athletic administrators serving over 1,900 Texas schools. Each year, more than 800 members attend the THSADA State Conference, while hundreds more participate in the Fall Forum, Spring Sponsor Showcase, certification programs, and regional meetings.

    Collectively, THSADA members oversee more than $600 million in athletic program budgets and provide leadership for over one million student-athletes across Texas.

    From a meeting of just twenty-two visionary athletic directors in 1970 to one of the largest and most influential athletic administrators associations in the United States, the THSADA continues to fulfill its mission of providing Leadership, Professional Development, and Support while advancing the profession of athletic administration throughout the State of Texas.