John Snelson, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Dickinson ISD, explains how running a 6A athletic program means fighting for time—and fighting off chaos. With multiple sports, limited facilities, and nonstop demands once the school year begins, Coach Snelson emphasizes the importance of early scheduling, proactive planning, and organized systems. His team uses calendar-linked software to coordinate usage of fields, gyms, and more—so when the season hits, everyone’s ready.
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.
