The Texas High School Athletic Directors Association has created a new program designed to present a pathway for coaches who would like to eventually pursue a career as an Athletic Administrator in the State of Texas or those who are First-Time Athletic Administrators.  This program is called the Aspiring Athletic Administrators Academy and will provide a curriculum addressing those duties and responsibilities specific to becoming a Texas Athletic Administrator at any classification level.

    Topics to be covered are listed below and will provide an individual with an in-depth look at those attributes that all Athletic Administrators must be familiar with in order to move forward in athletic administration.  

    The Aspiring Athletic Administrators Academy is under the direction of:

    David Kuykendall-President-Texas High School Athletic Directors Association (Former Director of Athletics-Frisco ISD)

    Debbie Fuchs-President-elect-Texas High School Athletic Directors Association (Former Director of Athletics-Clear Creek ISD)

    You must be an Active/or Associate member of the THSADA in order to attend any THSADA event. Virtual options are available to those who sign up for the event.

    The below topics are covered throughout the general delivery of sessions within the Aspiring Athletic Administrators Academy and will be presented during the three major events of the THSADA that will also allow candidates to engage with and network with Athletic Administrators from across the state. 

    1. Preparing an Athletic Budget

    2. Hiring coaches/athletic staff

    3. How to conduct Staff meetings

    4. Managing Athletic events

    5. Facility planning

    6. Transportation

    7. Managing each sport program

    8. UIL Requirements/DEC

    9. Athletic Director Administrative Duties

    10. Developing Athletic Administrator network

    11. Working with faculty/central office administrative team

    12. Conflict Resolution

    13. Booster Clubs

    14. Bond projects

    15. Arranging playoffs

    16. Facility rentals

    17. Designing athletic policies/UIL requirements

    18. How to Interview for an Athletic Director position

    19. Transitioning to a new position 

    Please contact Rusty Dowling with any questions: Rusty.Dowling@thsada.com 

    Aspiring Athletic Administrators Academy -State Conference Schedule

    The Aspiring Athletic Administrators Academy is structured as a Conference within the State Conference.  Each session is specific to any Aspiring or First-Time Athletic Administrator and the focus of each session is to present those courses and techniques that will allow an individual to move forward towards athletic administration in the State of Texas.

    Monday, June 13th

      9:00 a.m.-9:50 a.m. Aspiring Athletic Administrators Academy session-Salon C-D-

    Program Orientation

    Welcome-Rusty Dowling-Executive Director-THSADA

    David Kuykendall-President-Texas High School Athletic Directors Association

    Former Director of Athletics-Frisco ISD

    Debbie Fuchs-President-elect-Texas High School Athletic Directors Association

    Former Director of Athletics-Clear Creek ISD

      1:15 p.m.-2:05 p.m. Aspiring Athletic Administrators Academy session-Salon-C-D 

    Dr. Susan Elza-Director of Athletics-UIL 

      4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Superintendents Panel-Kalahari Ballroom 

      5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Daktronics-Monday Trade Show Festival Open-Kilimanjaro Ballroom

    Mega Drawing Sales will be available

    Tuesday, June 14th

      8:00 a.m. UIL Livestream-Portia Room-Presented by Symmetry Sports Construction

    10:40 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Aspiring Athletic Administrators Academy session-Salon C-D

    Interviewing for an Athletic Administrator Position- Mock Interviews 

    Philip ‘O Neal-Director of Athletics-Mansfield ISD

      2:40 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Aspiring Athletic Administrators Academy session-Salon C-D

    Process for Hiring Coaches and/or Staff

    Blake Feldt-Director of Athletics-Midland ISD

    Leslie Slovak-Director of Athletics-Richardson ISD

      4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.         Tuesday Tradeshow Festival-Kilimanjaro Ballroom

    Wednesday, June 15th

      8:30 a.m.-9:20 a.m. Aspiring Athletic Administrators Academy Wrap-up session-Salon C-D

    THSADA Hall of Honor Inductee Panel

    Debbie Decker-Director of Athletics-Katy ISD

    Chris Feris-Director of Athletics-Birdville ISD

    Rodney Saveat-Director of Health/Physical Education-Beaumont ISD

    Don Murphy-former Director of Athletics-Grand Prairie ISD

      9:40 a.m.-11:00 a.m. UIL Legislative Council Wrap-up Session-Main Stage-Kalahari Ballroom