The AD Podcast

In bonus episode #4 we bring you a very impromptu episode brought to us by one of our listeners. We are joined by Aaron Watson, an athletic administrator from the state of Maine. Who is the co-author of a brand new leadership training course (LTC) 603: Building Pyramids of Success in K-12 Athletic Programs that is being launched at the National Athletic Directors Conference in Orlando this weekend. Together we discuss the importance of certification and professional development for athletic administrators. We also dive into the different LTC offerings from the NIAAA as well as learn all about the new course Aaron helped write. Get ready to learn how you can level up and get involved via professional development at the NADC, NIAAA online webinars, and at your own state conferences. 

In Episode #21, we are joined by a podcast crew y’all have easily listened to over the years within interscholastic athletic administration, the co-hosts of the Hangin’ With The AD Podcast, Don Baker and Josh Matthews hop on with us. Together we discuss how to navigate the National Athletic Directors Conference next week in Orlando, our favorite parts of the conference, we also get into a little college football playoff rankings, and learn about some great BBQ joints in Georgia.

In Bonus Episode #3 we bring you a very impromptu episode centered around the Pac-12 championship football game this Friday night December 1st and the national athletic directors conference coming up in Orlando. Scott, our in house huskies fan, is joined by the Educational AD Podcast host Jake von Scherrer, who is a die hard ducks fan. Together they discuss the ins and outs of podcasting, provide some insightful input into the Pac-12 showdown coming this Friday night in Las Vegas and give some important details about a free social event happening at the NADC on Sunday night December 17th in Orlando that you will not want to miss.

In Episode #20 on the AD Podcast, we are joined by Mike Cunningham, a former high school and collegiate track and field coach who is now the national business development manager for Gill Athletics. Gill athletics is an American manufacturer of track and field equipment that is utilized by track and field programs of all shapes and sizes. Together we discuss why track and field programs are so important and beneficial to athletic departments, college football playoff rankings, how to compete and developing department culture using inter-program award challenges.

In Episode #19 on the AD Podcast, we are joined by Teg Cosgriff, retired athletic administrator from the state of Connecticut who is now the VP of The Mental Game Academy. Together we discuss prioritizing your mental health as an athletic director and how to foster beneficial mental health practices for your students.

In bonus episode #2 we bring on John Townsend, the Founder and CEO of VitalSigns Wall of Fame. At VitalSigns Wall of Fame their mission is to bring your school’s legacy to life. They help you elevate how you do school recognition. Making it easier than ever to celebrate your whole community, showcasing your school’s diverse history, proudest moments, major achievements and top role models. All while not impacting your annual budget to do so. Together we discuss the positive difference we can make in our schools, how we want to influence that positive change, and communicating to our students and stakeholders more effectively in the digital age. Listen to the entire episode to learn how you can get your school’s Wall of Fame project at a discounted price and some fun NADC events that you won’t want to miss this December in Orlando. Get ready to learn the impact that your school’s stories and legacies can have on our future generations.

In Episode #18 on the AD Podcast, we are joined by Josh Jennings, first time athletic director at Great Falls high school in Great Falls, SC. Together we discuss Clemson and South Carolina Football, 90’s headphones, and successful strategies to implement for the first time athletic director.

In Episode #17 of the AD Podcast, we are joined by Tami Matheny, a mental game coach, author, and a Jon Gordon certified trainer. Tami is the founder of Refuse 2 Lose Coaching. An organization that was created to help athletes of all levels and ages perform their best and to be the athlete he or she has always dreamed of being. Ultimately R2LC helps you develop the mindset to refuse to quit, refuse to be negative, and refuse to lose. Together we discuss the sport of tennis, the success circle, and facing adversity by strengthening your confidence via your mental game. Buckle up y’all, this episode has a lot of practical take-aways for you. Get ready to train your mind right, as what you focus on grows.

In Episode #16 we are joined by Nick Farman, a professional scout for Catapult Sports focused on the states in the Pacific Northwest. Catapult exists to unleash the potential of every athlete and team. Operating at the intersection of sports science and analytics, Catapult products are designed to optimize performance, avoid injury, provide video analysis, help facilitate recruiting and scouting and quantify return to play. Catapult works with more than 3,800 elite teams in over 100 countries globally. They work with the Kansas City Chiefs, Golden State Warriors, Manchester City, and numerous top tier division one institutions to just name a few. Nick is also an aspiring athletic director which we definitely dive into. Together we discuss the pirate, coach Mike Leach, Professional Scouting, and steps to take to get your foot in the door when you are an aspiring athletic director.

In Episode #15 of the AD Podcast, we are joined by Collin Henderson, the founder and CEO of Master Your Mindset. Collin is a leading professional in mindset training and performance for sport teams and organizations nationwide. Together we discuss the dissolution of the Pac 12 conference, normalizing mindset training, mental fitness drills for athletic directors and coaches, and bison versus cattle. Understand that your thoughts do become things. So get ready y’all to be where your feet are right now.

In Episode #14, we are joined by Deon Birkes, the athletic director for Lincoln Consolidated School District in Arkansas and Jason Culler, the Associate Athletic Director for Jenks Public Schools in Oklahoma. Together we discuss the kickoff to the college football season, the value of vendors at conferences, learning from others, and the idea behind the Border States Summit. A Summer conference centered around additional professional education opportunities for athletic administrators coming from the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. 

In Episode #13, the last of our Welcome Back to School Episodes on The AD Podcast, we are joined by Josh Scott, the district athletic director for Springfield Public Schools in Missouri. Together we discuss professional soccer, district AD to-dos, and how the SportsYou platform has helped his district with communicating effectively.

In bonus episode #1 we bring on Robbie Lightfoot the co-founder and VP of Sales for Box Out Sports. A graphics platform that allows users to make professional looking graphics via ready made templates in minutes. Together we discuss the importance of branding and effectively communicating to all your stakeholders via social media platforms. Listen to the entire episode to learn how you can get a box out account at a discounted price or even for free. Get ready to learn how you can bring your social media strategy at the speed of sports.

As the school year kicks back off across the country, we wanted to help you welcome back the school year with a special three part series. In Episode #12, the second of three Welcome Back to School Episodes on The AD Podcast, we are once again joined by one of our first ever listeners, Jim Harris, the athletic director for John Champe High School in Virginia as well as the host of On The Road With The VIAAA podcast. Together we discuss pro wrestling, Mario Kart, data driven decisions and professional development at state conferences.

As the school year kicks back off across the country, we wanted to help you welcome back the school year with a special three part series. In Episode #11, the first of three Welcome Back to School Episodes on The AD Podcast, we are joined by one of our first ever listeners, Sean Blumette, an administrator for Brooke County Schools in West Virginia. Together we discuss Scott’s new sleep schedule, college football rankings, AD & coach orientations, back to school facility checklists, and how to take time for yourself during school breaks.

Are you an Interscholastic Athletic Director and/or Coach looking for a talk show style podcast that discusses what is happening in your world? This may be the podcast for you . . . 

Have you been frustrated with cancellations of your kids' youth sporting games due to not having officials available to administer those games? It’s time to be proactive and get more officials in the game so that our kids get the opportunity to play no matter their level of competition. In Episode #10 on The AD Podcast, we are joined by Kenny Seifert, the Assistant Executive Director & Director of Officials for the Missouri State High School Activities Association, and Kyle Armstrong, the Founder & CEO of RefReps. Together we discuss the historical and more present decline of officials for youth sporting events and how RefReps with the use of their first of its kind Officiating Education System are helping recruit, retain, and train the next generation of officials.

Have you ever thought, how do I start a media program at my school? Then this episode is for you. In Episode #9 on The AD Podcast, we are joined by Ryan Johnson, the athletic director for Indian Rocks Christian School in Florida and Sam Scott, the SID for Sissonville HS in West Virginia. Together we discuss how you can start a media program at your school, the need for consistent branding for your entire school, and empowering your students to help be content creators for your programs and activities school wide.

Bring the juice for this one as we pack a ton of great content into this power packed hour long episode. In Episode #8, we are joined by Brian Cain, CMAA, founder, and lead mental performance coach at Brian Cain Peak Performance. Together we discuss bedtime routines, Brian’s MVP process, the focus funnel, mastering time blocking, and a whole lot of great content for bettering yourself as a coach and athletic director. Get ready y’all to Dominate the Day!

In Episode #7, we are joined by Tim Kight, the founder and CEO of Focus 3. Together we discuss college football programs, John Wooden, developing exceptional leaders, strengthening department culture, equipping individuals to perform at an elite level, and a few places to eat in Bluffton, South Carolina.

In Episode 6 of The AD Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Dustin Smith and Dr. Danielle LaPoint the co-hosts of the Pairadocs Podcast. Together we discuss hockey, work/life balance, being an athletic department of one, children's bedtime books and places you can take your boat to eat in Arkansas and Florida.

Tonight we are joined by Dr. Chris Hobbs. Together we discuss the XFL, pitch clocks in the MLB, how to care for your coaches, developing belief in your coaches, specialist positions in athletic departments and great places to eat in New Jersey and Houston, Texas.

We come to you live from the NIAAA office as we are joined by Rich Barton, Becky Moran, and Phil Rison. Together we discuss March Madness, Futbol, Hoka Shoes, all things NIAAA , and learn about some delicious eateries in Indianapolis, Indiana.

We are joined by Dr. Scott Grant as we discuss Coach Prime, the Cleveland Browns, the ins and outs of name image and likeness at the high school level, and learn about some delicious places to eat in Findlay Ohio.

Freddy brings work with him to the pod in the form of our guest for the evening, Darryl Nance. Together we discuss ACC basketball, coach K, providing leadership education to coaches and athletic directors, cartoon characters, and local eateries in Greenville South Carolina.

We are joined by Kevin Broene & Richard Pearson as we discuss "The Game" in the Big 10, the on going officials shortage, fan behavior at youth sporting events, and local eateries in Grand Rapids, MI and Foxboro, MA.

Freddy and Scott discuss how this isn't an interview based podcast, paw patrol, international athletic directors, and foreshadowing that you might be the first athletic director to be on the pod.