Category: Featured Articles
Supporting Student Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being
From anxiety and depression to social media stress and questions of belonging — today’s student-athletes are facing incredible mental stressors. ADs are training coaches, creating referral pathways, supporting injured athletes, and balancing compassion with policy to fight against one of the most complex challenges in modern-day schools.
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Transfers, Eligibility & Recruiting: Protecting Your Program
With open enrollment, school choice, and mid-season moves, athletic directors now must handle transfers at the intersection of compliance, communication, and student support.
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Creating A Sense Of Belonging In Athletics
For new athletes, transfers, and incoming freshmen, feeling welcomed and supported matters more than playing time. Those first impressions often determine whether they stay, grow, or step away.
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The Most Difficult Decisions Athletic Directors Make
When an injured player wants to return too soon, when a coach’s behavior must be addressed, when a weather call has no perfect answer, or when a parent demands an exception that can’t be given, these moments test an AD’s judgment, values, and resolve.
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How To Select A School Mascot That Strengthens Identity & Pride
From symbols rooted in local history to characters who create unforgettable memories, mascots bring school spirit to life.
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What To Do When Athletes Won’t Sleep
Sleep is the most powerful recovery tool an athlete has—but it’s also the one most often neglected. For high school ADs, teaching athletes how to rest may be just as important as teaching them how to play.
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Connecting Athletics with Activities to Build School Spirit
When athletics work hand-in-hand with academics, arts, and student organizations, it unites the entire school under one shared vision.
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Setting Standards For Sportsmanship
By defining clear expectations, communicating them early, and celebrating positive examples, ADs create a culture of respect that makes every game a reflection of shared values, not just the final score.
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Modernizing Game Day Operations
From digital ticketing and real-time security tools to streamlined staff communication, today’s athletic directors have powerful technology that streamlines game day operations.
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Unifying Athletic Department Culture
When high school athletic directors clearly define values, communicate consistently, and align coaches under one vision, it turns separate teams into one thriving department.
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Getting To Know Athletes And Building Connections That Matter
From simple introductions and casual conversations to attending practices and following up on milestones, small, consistent efforts help athletes feel valued and supported.
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Supporting Academics Through Athletics
From regular grade checks to study hall programs and faculty collaboration, the most successful athletic departments are those that make academics a team priority.
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Building Community and Character With Fundraising
Rick Muellenberg, longtime head coach and principal at Bangor Middle/High School (WI), reflects on the power of student-led fundraising and community pride.
From Head Coach to District Leader: Scaling Impact Across 66 Schools
Brian Moore, Supervisor of Interscholastic Athletics at Prince George’s County Public Schools (MD), reflects on the mindset shift required when moving from head coach to athletic director—and now, to overseeing one of the nation’s largest school districts.
Fostering A Culture Of Peer Leadership
Brian Moore, Supervisor of Interscholastic Athletics at Prince George’s County Public Schools (MD), helps build school culture across a large district by empowering student-athletes to lead.
Creating School Branding — And Making It Stick
When Brian Moore took over as Athletic Director at Parkdale High School, they needed a new logo. What came next was a full rebrand of the school, unifying its presence in the community.
Building An Unbreakable Team Through Culture, Connection, And Care
Coach Niko Palazeti, Director of Football Sports Performance at the University of Cincinnati, breaks down what it takes to build deep trust, commitment, and unity in today’s fast-paced world of college football.
Simplifying Booster Club Communication
Gerardo Jauregui, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Lyford CISD, shares how centralizing communication with the booster club streamlined fundraising while securing major equipment upgrades for multiple sports.
