THSADA NEWSLETTER Presented by Home Team Marketing July 2017
THSADA State Conference and Professional Development Program 2017 Conference Review
T he 46th annual THSADA State grown significantly over the past sev- Committee Chairs Conference and Professional eral years and averages an increase of 20 Development Program, concluded a suc- Exhibitors per year. Publications: Bernie Mulvaney cessful four-day Conference at the Waco – Director of Athletics-Goose Creek ISD Convention Center. This was the first THSADA membership growth is reflec- tive of the interest and involvement of Professional Development: time the THSADA State Conference was Debbie Fuchs – Clear Creek ISD held in Waco and it proved to be a great Athletic Administrators throughout the location. State of Texas. THSADA membership Awards: is at 850 and has increased significantly Randy Cretors – Harlingen CISD The THSADA State Conference saw each year. The goal for this upcoming over 420 attendees during the four-day membership drive year is to be well over Membership: Conference which included, Athletic 1,000 THSADA members. Jennifer Roland – Alamo Heights ISD Administrators, Head Football Coaches and Athletic Staff. The Tradeshow was The State Conference opened on Special Events: also the largest the THSADA has ever Sunday with a meeting of all THSADA Vince Sebo – Tomball ISD had with 161 Exhibit Booths lining the Committee Chairs followed by a meet- Football Advisory: Chisholm Hall at the Waco Convention ing with all eight of the THSADA Cliff Odenwald – Garland ISD Center. The THSADA Tradeshow has Committee’s. Basketball Advisory: Philip O’Neal – Mansfield ISD Quotes from some of our first-time Exhibitors: Officials Advisory: “First Class conference, we want in again next year.” Johnny Tusa – Waco ISD “The time, energy, and money was well worth it. The interaction with the AD’s The two Sunday sessions featured Mr. and other vendors was fantastic. I have highly suggested to both of my systems Chris Gilbert-Partner-Thompson & distributors that this is a “MUST” for the future.” Horton, LLC. Mr. Gilbert gave an ex- cellent two-hour presentation on those “We had a great time, and had some fantastic discussions. I’ve spent the week legal issues critical and conducive to following up in person and via email with the coaches and ADs.” Athletic Administrators. Mr. Gilbert’s presentation was followed by the an- “Thank you once again for putting on such a great show and conference. nual Enviro-Turf/Hal Mumme Football The conference was great.” Poolside Kick-off Reception. Attendance “It was GREAT being a part of the THSADA Annual Conference! This was at this event was outstanding as this was held at the Hilton Pool area and was our first, but can promise it will not be our last, wonderful people, wonderful attended by both attendees and exhib- experience.” itors. This event has become an excel- “Thank you for all of the work you and your team put in to make the convention lent way for Exhibitors to socialize with the Conference attendees before the such a success.” Conference begins. “We enjoyed the conference and plan to attend next year as well.” Story continued on page 2... THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 2 ...Story continued from page 1 (2017 Conference Review) Monday morning featured the annual Tuesday morning saw the Tee-Off of Executive Director-TAPPS and moder- address by both the UIL and TAPPS. the annual Hellas Construction-Benny ator Craig Way addressing the topic of Each Executive Director and staff ad- Carter Memorial Golf Tournament “The State of High School Athletics in dressed their respective attendees as the held at Cottonwood Creek Golf Course. Texas”. This was a tremendous exchange sessions were split between UIL schools This annual event is a highlight of the and sharing of information and many and TAPPS schools. A special feature Conference and raises funds, along with important issues and positions were during the UIL session was an address a contribution from Whataburger for delivered. This session lasted about an by SEC Chair-Mike Motheral. Dean the THSADA-Whataburger Scholarship. hour and a half and was one of the high- Linke-Hellas Construction delivered a It was another great event put on by lights features of the State Conference. presentation on “Championship Prep” Hellas Construction and a good time that was well received by the attend- was had by all! After the UIL-TAPPS session the ees. Afternoon sessions featured panel THSADA had a General Session discussions highlighted by an Industry Opposite the Golf Tournament we held where sponsors were invited to speak Panel where representatives from spe- our annual Athletic Administrators and an update of the Texas Athletic cific industries sat on the panel to dis- Academy for those individuals not Administrators Certificate program cuss questions sent in by the attendees. playing golf. The Academy is a series was shared with the attendees. The Companies represented on this Industry of short, impactful deliveries by ei- THSADA hopes to rollout the TAAC at Panel were: Hellas Construction/ ther a speaker or panel on specific sub- the July THSCA Coaching School. jects and topics significant to Athletic Daktronics/Musco Lighting/PBK The last session featured Jeff Altman Sports. Varsity Brands and SuperFanU Administrators. This year there were split sessions for both UIL and TAPPS from Whataburger announcing the 2017 also delivered corporate presenta- THSADA Hall of Honor inductees along tions and both sessions were well at- schools. The highlight presentation of the Athletic Administrators Academy with the Vice President candidates and tended as was a session on Booster Club the Whataburger Scholarship Award management. was a presentation sponsored by Field Turf and Dr. Michael C. Meyers on the winners. The final session concluded The Monday keynote speaker for the latest in football injuries as it relates to with the annual Mega Drawings. State Conference was Baylor University artificial turf. We would like to thank all those Head Football Coach Matt Rhule. Coach THSADA members and non-mem- Rhule delivered an incredible presen- After the conclusion of the Athletic Administrators Academy, Hellas bers that made the effort to attend the tation on Leadership, Attitude and Conference, network with fellow ath- Commitment. Coach Rhule also took Construction handed out all the awards won at the Golf Tournament. letic administrators and attend the advantage of the opportunity to mix so- professional development sessions. cially with the AD’s after his session. Everyone then adjourned to the Hellas Construction Tradeshow Festival. Involvement with the THSADA, whether The Daktronics Tradeshow Festival took it be as a Board member, Committee place late afternoon and early evening On Wednesday, the last half day of the Chair or Committee member is signif- and attendance was at an all-time high. Conference, a very special feature was icant in the development and profile of There was good attendance and partic- held that was also taped by Jeff Power the Association. The THSADA is only as ipation by all attendees while many of and played on Fox Sports. This session strong and influential as is the involve- the Exhibitors were very complimentary featured Charles Breithaupt-Executive ment and commitment of its members. of the format and attendance. Director-UIL, Bryan Bunselmeyer- Letter from the President — John Crawford, THSADA President It is hard to believe that the 2016-2017 It has been another outstanding year tastic conference. school year is coming to a close, that it is for the Texas High School Athletic time to turn the page and begin prepa- Directors Association. Our member- Thank you to all committee mem- ration for another exciting year. I would ship numbers are at an all-time high bers, Regional Directors, and officers like to take this opportunity to congrat- and continue to grow. In March, we for the timeless sacrifices you make ulate all of you for the successes your had our State Conference in Waco with to serve and promote our Association. schools enjoyed on the field or court the most attendees and most exhibitors Congratulations to the new Hall of during the 2016-2017 school year. I that we have ever had. A huge “Thank Honor inductees, Bob DeJonge, Mark continue to be amazed at the tremen- you” goes out to our Executive Director Ball, and Tom Pruett. dously positive impact you all have on Rusty Dowling, Assistant Katy Mathis your coaches and student athletes. and to all who worked to put on a fan- Story continued on page 3... THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 3 ...Story continued from page 2 (Letter from the Presdient) As we look ahead to the 2017-2018 riculum. The 2017-2018 school also of- Finally, I would like to thank you for af- school year, we will continue our com- fers our organization an opportunity to fording me the opportunity to serve as mitment to continued alignment and grow, expand, and excel under the lead- your president. It has been an extremely collaboration with the UIL, THSCA, ership and through the vision of our rewarding experience, one that I will al- and TGCA to grow our Association. new president. I would like to welcome ways cherish. I look forward to serv- Additionally, I am excited to eventu- Debbie Decker as our next President ing our Association in the years to come ally roll out a series of Texas Athletic of the Texas High School Athletic and I welcome our future successes. Administration Certification classes Directors Association and I wish the and I want to say thank you all of those best for her and our organization under — John Crawford who have worked to develop the cur- her leadership. Online Ticketing Solutions The online ticket service for high school We’ll let the companies speak for themselves to tell us what sets them apart from athletics, primarily football, is a grow- the competition... ing and crowded market as we prepare for the 2017 school year. Most of us re- Kaitlin McCann, Tom Bowen, ceive our fair share of emails touting www.ticketroar.com | @ticketroar www.StateChamps.com their company as the best. Truth be told, all of these companies bring qual- • One thing that sets TicketRoar apart • StateChamps offers powerful ity and a level of excellence and exper- from other online companies is our technology that completely removes tise. You have to be good in order to partnership with Eventbrite. Selling any burden of cost from schools. We’ve stay competitive in the world of Texas over two million tickets weekly, replaced scanning equipment and High School Football. Eventbrite offers the best in-class internet requirements with a simple ticketing software and is a well-known electronic ticket that downloads to When choosing an online ticket service, online platform. TicketRoar is the users’ phones, and can be redeemed there are many things to consider. digital ticketing and gate management by swiping a finger across the phone screen. • Convenience and efficiency arm of Home Team Marketing. HTM has been working with high schools • StateChamps provides customized • Are there fees for the school and the for 16 years developing relationships options like all-sports passes, season consumer and a good reputation throughout the country. tickets, and social media support • Payment options to empower schools and their • The TicketRoar pricing structure is communities. Clients who sell tickets • Is wi-fi or data required set 100% specifically to the benefit of online through StateChamps are also the high school market. We offer lower eligible to receive personalized printed • Scanning equipment or mobile apps fees on lower priced high school tickets tickets throughout the school year at for gatekeepers (many fees are less than a $1) and fee no cost to the school. • Season ticket and all-sports pass caps are set up for higher priced events • The mission of StateChamps is to use options such as summer camps, school dances, etc. our expertise in Next Level ticketing • Printed ticket options and community building to reinvent • Using the TicketRoar system actually the high school fan experience, and • Sponsorship opportunities means less work for school officials leverage that experience to advance to sell tickets for their events. The high school athletics and activities • Real-time data and reports TicketRoar team creates the events nationwide. • Online security and puts tickets on sale for the schools. We also build and analyze a database Donnie Schemetti, www.ticketspicket.com • Ticket options for other school events of customers for each school, while promoting the school’s events to fans • Email communication with fans and • We Don't Cost You Money, We Make and potential customers. We offer in sponsors You Money. Unlike all other digital depth training before events begin ticket providers, the Ticket Spicket and 24/7 event and customer support Story continued on page 4... for every event. THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 4 ...Story continued from page 3 (Online Ticketing Solutions) business model is not built around We want to always be involved with of the many millions of online tickets charging excessive fees to the fans helping schools succeed. We don't we sell each year are transacted with a and families out there who want to just sell you on our services and walk mobile device – phone or tablet. attend school events. We offer (by far) away. We offer a customer success on- the lowest convenience fees on the boarding program for all of our new • An operational focus — it’s one thing to market - and there are many instances schools that includes best practices, sell and issue a ticket, but quite another where there are no fees involved at all. demonstrations, training, marketing to execute on-site from an operational Ticket Spicket's business model is to materials and more - to ensure they're perspective. From a networked connect schools with not only digital always fully prepared to hit the ground scanning solution, to providing top ticket sales and season passes - but running. of the line hardware (we don’t scan also entirely new sponsorship and with phones…those are not scanners!). donation opportunities. We receive a Clint Cobb, Lines have to move fast, fans need to share of that income - but at the end www.ExtremeTix.com purchase and quickly enter stadiums. We get this, and we focus heavily on of the day, we don’t succeed until after • We are here, born and bred in Houston. our schools succeed. ensuring things actually work and go Having a ticketing partner that is in well once gates open, as opposed to • Gameplan: Marketing, & Sponsorship close proximity is critical, allowing selling the tickets… and then “good Enhancement Tools. We like to say us to visit, service and support our luck!" that Ticket Spicket is "more than just Districts on-site when and as needed. tickets." Not just because it sounds This is the reason we don’t work with Chad Buntin, catchy - but because that's simply the schools in any other state. www.payk12.com honest truth. While we’re recognized • Our depth and breadth of experience — • Ticketracker was the first online as an easy to use, online and mobile we count over 500 clients nationwide ticketing company in the industry. ticketing solution — Ticket Spicket and in Canada, selling tickets to events, Our software was the first company also offers a zero-cost sponsorship venues and attractions of all shapes to sell an online ticket in the state of platform (called Gameplan) that is and sizes. As such, we have built out an TX with Kevin Ozee at Duncanville built to integrate easily with school organization of depth to support our ISD. This is what makes our company efforts to bring entirely new revenue clients across multiple departments. stand out the most. Ticketracker opportunities from the businesses that Our wide variety of clients and event pioneered this high school online want to support local schools. Schools experience also provides for a feature ticketing market. As many companies can offer valuable digital impressions rich product – from the box office on- have come and gone from this space and branding recognition to companies site, to online. We have the features we have stayed consistent. in exchange for sponsorship dollars and tools others don’t support, which and giveaways that incentivize fans includes a bi-lingual Call Center open • Now with our new software, PAYK12 for their attendance. 365 days here in our office – to service powered by Ticketracker, our software and support your customers, the fans. is not just another online ticketing • No Internet, Wi-Fi, or Connectivity company but it also allows parents, Required. Our mobile app requires • A MOBILE mentality — everything a students and the community to no wi-fi or internet connectivity to customer can do on a desktop/laptop… purchase reserved seat tickets not function properly while providing fans they can also do on a mobile device. only online but from our proprietary with a secure way to gain entry to their Everything is mobile optimized from Point of sale app or from their phone. events. We also offer two completely purchasing single game tickets, to Athletic directors can also scan and different options for schools to renewing season tickets, up to and track all tickets at their events with manage the customer check-in process including reserved “select-a-seat” our proprietary mobile app. in the app (a scanner application and a from a mobile device, which very few verified "self check-in") offer. We even offer a client facing If you are still searching for an online mobile app in the Google and Apple ticketing provider, don’t be overwhelmed • Mindset: Our Customers Always Come by the number of companies offering store that allows our clients to track First. Ticket Spicket is a customer- their services. Each of these companies sales, redemption/scan data on their driven organization. We guarantee is ready and willing to discuss your situ- phones in real time 24X7. Our mobile customer satisfaction and we stand ation and find the solution that best fits dedication is award winning in the behind our technology 100% - but your needs. the focus for us remains the people. ticketing industry. In fact, over 60% THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 5
Hiring Head Coaches by Shawn Pratt — Director of Athletics, McKinney ISD Walking into my office is my 10:00am who believe in our educational ath- coaches who have just finished their appointment with my high school letics philosophy and are comfortable first year to attend also, as these coordinator and our head baseball in our school culture. Another im- head coaches often need a refresher coach, and the tension is thick and portant part of hiring the right head and have great input for the brand a bit uncomfortable. Sitting down coach in McKinney ISD is evaluating new coaches. Second, to support our across my desk, my coordinator is their experience in relation to the job head coaches, we really try to find locked in on me in anticipation, while for which they are applying. Do they quality professional development for our baseball coach won’t make eye have the level of experience needed them to continue growing. We make contact. He isn’t exactly sure what to be successful in this role, both in sure that the professional develop- this meeting is going to entail, but terms of their teaching assignment ment is in line with our core beliefs he knows based on our previous ef- and coaching assignment? What is for the athletic department. Lastly, forts to help him grow this conversa- the quality of their experience? Was we make sure that we are mentoring tion will not be a pleasure. It is the it in a quality district or under a qual- all of our coaches while they are here. dreaded conversation when you are ity leader who we know held this can- Having honest conversations with about to reassign a head coach. The didate to a high standard? Lastly, in our coaches and helping them grow conversations are never pleasant, but hiring head coaches we thoroughly is vital to their being successful in they unfortunately have to be done in check the candidate’s references. We the long run. We give them accurate order to do what is best for our pro- typically split the duties of contacting evaluations and help them establish a grams and most importantly what references amongst the athletic co- plan to improve in areas of weakness. is best for our student athletes. In ordinators and directors. One of our While it is easy to sometimes pick out McKinney ISD, we feel like our hir- coordinators or assistant athletic di- areas of growth, we can never praise ing process and our mentoring pro- rectors calls the references listed on them enough for all of the good gram help us minimize the number of the candidate’s resume, while I try to things they do each and every day. these tough reassignment conversa- find references not listed. Having a tions we have to have. great network of coaches and athletic Ensuring our people know that they administration is so important when are appreciated is incredibly import- In the McKinney ISD athletic depart- checking out the employment history ant in their happiness and overall ment, we, like all districts in the state of a head coach. Finding quality peo- performance. know that who we hire will go a long ple who you trust to get an opinion of long way in our future success. Hiring Having clear understandings of what the candidate may be the single most you are looking for in a candidate, people who are a fit in our culture important component in determin- and who can help us improve is vital and how you will support all new ing our success in hiring. Making coaches once they arrive will help you in order for our department to im- sure we stay focused on these objec- prove each year. In order to do this, maximize your head coaches chances tives has proven to improve our hir- for being successful. After each in- we must have clear objectives. First, ing success. we need to define what are we look- terview evaluate and be honest about ing for in the people we hire. We look After we hire head coaches who we how you did as a team; identify mis- for a person’s philosophy and core feel are a good fit for McKinney ISD, takes and correct them moving for- values to see if they are a match for it is important that we provide them ward to improve the process. With McKinney ISD. Each school district with the support they need to be the right plan in place coupled with and each athletic department in the successful. First we begin by ask- monitoring and mentoring, you state of Texas has its own set of core ing them to attend a new head coach will minimize the number of those values and a unique culture. It is vital orientation. We break this orienta- dreaded reassignment meetings and that we hire head coaches whose core tion up into two half-day trainings. most importantly minimize the num- values will fit in our culture, allow- Our two assistant athletic directors ber of bad experiences your student ing them to be successful. We have and I deliver information that ev- athletes have with your head coaches. all used the term, “it’s just not a good ery new head coach will need and fit,” and this term has a lot of truth. want as they begin their first year in We have to find the head coaches McKinney ISD. We ask our new head THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 6 Emotional Intelligence: An Added Edge to Success in Coaching by Paula Gonzalez — Athletic Director, McAllen ISD Coaches need to always be aware that they are perceived as role models and are always in the limelight. Athletes look to coaches for success and improvement in performance in their sport and for di- rection and guidance in lessons which prepare them for life. Parents want their children to master the X’s and O’s of their sport, but they also want coaches to display a genuine interest and care for them. Coaching goes way beyond the in- struction of skills and the development of physical fitness – it is about building quality relationships and having the emotional maturity needed to establish them. Dr. Jose A. Gonzalez, McAllen ISD Superintendent of Schools, is a strong advocate of Emotional Intelligence as it relates to leadership and academic success. He has been in education for 22 years and has studied Emotional Intelligence since 2008. In February 2016, Dr. Gonzalez formed the weekly components were developed by Daniel self-regulate our emotions by pausing, Directors Calibration Meetings where Goleman, a science journalist, who taking a deep breath, or maybe count- all Directors and Asst. Superintendents brought “Emotional Intelligence” to the ing to ten. We must always maintain meet not only to share ideas about stu- bestseller list by writing several books control. dent success, but to learn to be better on the subject. Dr. Gonzalez feels that Emotional leaders. Dr. Gonzalez is an enthusias- Dr. Gonzalez agrees that being a coach Intelligence can be just as important as tic Superintendent who continuously creates very high pressured situations our IQ. He states that “people don’t care emphasizes teamwork and the desire which come with a lot of responsibil- how much you know, until they know to improve. I was fortunate enough ity. A teacher, parent, friend, or rela- how much you care.” This definitely to have the opportunity to meet with tive can give an athlete advice, answer a applies to coaching. Athletes want us Dr. Gonzalez and discuss Emotional question, or try to point them in a cer- to be knowledgeable in our sport, yet Intelligence as it relates to coaching. He tain direction, but when a coach tells they want us to also care about them. feels that if coaches have a higher collec- them to do something – it is a whole dif- Parents definitely feel the same way, too. tive Emotional Quotient than the com- ferent story because what a coach says They want us to coach their children, but petition, they will have an advantage comes with a lot of influence. Based more importantly, they want us to show before the game even starts. on this fact, Dr. Gonzalez states that that we genuinely care. Parents do not Emotional Intelligence (EI) or Emotional “Emotional Intelligence is ultra-import- want a coach to lose their composure or Quotient (EQ) can be defined as “the ca- ant for coaches because many times temper, especially in heated situations. pacity of individuals to recognize their coaches as competitors lose sight of Caring genuinely and developing solid own and other people’s emotions, to their Self Awareness, Self-Regulation, relationships is what makes a difference. discriminate between different feelings Social Skills, Empathy, and Motivation, As coaches, we must understand and fo- yet executing these five domains at a cus on the five domains of Emotional and label them appropriately, and to use quality level with drive is what great Intelligence. Dr. Gonzalez’s vision is emotional information to guide think- coaches and great leaders epitomize.” If for all McAllen ISD coaches to have ing and behavior.” There are five com- we are self-aware that we may lose our the five domains posted in all locker ponents of Emotional Intelligence as temper in the heat of the battle, then we shown in the diagram included. These need to make an intentional decision to Story continued on page 7... THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 7 ...Story continued from page 6 (Emotional Intelligence) 3 SIMPLE RULES TO MANGING TOP TALENT rooms and for every coach to make an by Roger L. Martin — a professor at and the former dean of the intentional decision to teach these con- Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. He is a cepts to their coaches and athletes. As coauthor of "Playing to Win" (Harvard Business Review Press, 2013). a result, he states, “Collectively, we are more self-aware of our strengths and The general view but 20-odd years ago was rare). I read- weaknesses. Collectively, we can stay in business is that ily replied, “Sure. You’re a GAM. At your motivated. Collectively, we can self-reg- top-end talent is level, you can do pretty much whatever ulate our emotions. Collectively, we can highly sensitive to you want.” He said “OK” and walked empathize with one another when and motivated by off, looking sullen. I was taken aback: a teammate makes a mistake. compensation and He had asked for something, and I had Collectively, our social skills will im- that big monetary given it to him. What was his problem? prove and we will build positive rela- rewards are key to their management. It finally dawned on me that top-end tionships with our athletes and with There is a grain of truth to this — but talent doesn’t want to be treated as a the community.” only a grain. In my 36-year career, I ha- ven’t met a single person truly at the member of a class — even if it is an ex- Becoming a master of the five domains top end of the talent distribution who alted class. They want to be treated as does not have to be complex. We need is highly motivated by compensation. individuals. This consultant wanted to to make an intentional decision to im- Not one. hear: “We care about you and what you prove at dealing with our emotions need. If paternity leave is the thing that and strengthening our relationships. Sure, I’ve met lots of successful people is particularly important to you, we As Dr. Gonzalez points out, “It doesn’t who are highly motivated by compensa- support you 100%.” mean that we are going to be perfect or tion: CEOs who pump up the perceived The result would have been the same — never make a mistake because we are value of their company to sell it, hedge unfettered paternity leave — but with a all human. It means that we have a ve- fund managers who destroy companies totally different end result. Rather than hicle and a platform where we can al- for short-term gain, investment bank- being treated as a generic member of ways go back and reflect. We can learn ers who get their clients to acquire com- a particular class, he would have been to be more self-aware and take respon- panies they shouldn’t to earn big fees, treated in an individualized fashion. sibility when we are not. We can look consultants who sell their clients work at the psycho-social part of the game that they don’t need, and me-first ath- Since that incident, I have watched this and regardless of athlete skill level, can letes who poison their teams. phenomenon over and over. Each mem- work in a system that creates winners.” But none are the kind of top-end talent ber of the top-end talent class spends In McAllen ISD, we will continue to their life striving to be unique. It is dis- work on the five domains of Emotional who make their organization great for a sustained period. cordant with them at a very deep level Intelligence from the Pre-K level to the if you treat them any other way. And, Senior year. During my 15 years of managing tal- conversely, it makes them warm inside every time they are treated as a unique, As coaches, Emotional Intelligence can ent as dean of the Rotman School of valuable individual. definitely give us an edge. A very low Management, and previously as co- head of Monitor, I have managed some percentage of student athletes will play Provide Opportunity Continuously professional sports, but all students will of the best and brightest in professorial go out in the real world and play the talent and the strategy consulting in- The biggest enemy for top-end talent game of life. It is Dr. Gonzalez’s vision dustry worldwide. Over this combined is blocked opportunity, especially on that all MISD coaches execute these five quarter-century of experience, I devel- the way up. If they are motivated to be- domains at a high level and our plan is oped three rules for managing top-end come top talent, they want to take on to post them in all locker rooms where talent. big challenges — and the sooner, the we can know, study, and reflect on all Treat Them as Individuals, Not as better. If they are blocked and made to domains as we teach and coach. It is all Members of a Class wait for opportunity to be available, about true student success on the field they will simply go somewhere else. and in the classroom, but more impor- I learned this one by making a mis- tantly in life. Emotional Intelligence take. A top consultant, one of the firm’s This is, of course, something to handle can definitely provide this edge as we all 15 or so global account managers, ap- very carefully. They may blame you if you allow them to bite off too much and work and strive for student success. proached me to ask for paternity leave (a benefit that’s now fairly standard, they fail. But managing top-end talent THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 8 ...Story continued from page 7 (3 Simple Rules) role on a major case. I was told he wasn’t But it has to be done in a fashion con- ready and that it wasn’t fair to others sistent with the first two rules: It has to who were more senior. I offered to look be individualized. The generic year-end for opportunities on other future cases praise will be a negative, not a positive. for those I bypassed on this one and And tying the praise to the opportunity promised to take full responsibility for that has been taken on and successfully cleaning up any mess that would de- completed is what will make it most rive from giving the senior role to the effective. consultant. Fortunately, it worked out well, and catapulted the young consul- These three rules, although sounding tant into a position that eliminated all pretty simple, can be hard to follow. such questions about his readiness go- That is because most organizations, and ing forward. many of the managers in them, tend to default to reliability over validity. That Give Pats on the Back is, they favor a consistent, replicable outcome (like similar treatment, op- I see a lot of managers making big mis- portunities, and praise for all) over an requires leaning aggressively into giving takes on this front. Because top-end outcome that optimizes their desired them as many opportunities as you rea- talent is highly driven and intrinsi- intent. At first blush, it seems that re- sonably can. The way to win their loyalty cally motivated, their managers can liability is safer than validity, since the is to be the provider of opportunities mistake them for being indifferent to latter requires more judgment calls. that enable them to keep growing and praise. It is just the opposite. Talented But reliability is just an alluring siren learning. people spend all their time doing really call; the skilled top-end talent manager hard things. To do what they do, they knows to avoid it. To the extent that you Sometimes this means battling the HR have to flirt regularly with — and actu- function, which tends to want to treat rely on top-end talent to produce out- ally experience — failure. For this rea- standing organizational performance, people homogenously and limit oppor- son, they need regular pats on the back. tunities to rigid time frames. You have you must treat your best people as indi- Otherwise, they become resentful or sad viduals, find ways to give them oppor- to both insist on the desired outcome and drift away from the organization. and take personal responsibility for it tunities even when bureaucracy gets in to make these first two happen. I recall In my experience, top-end talent rarely, your way, and shower them with praise getting intense pushback from the head if ever, asks for praise — at least not when they succeed. of allocations when I wanted to assign directly. So the top-end talent man- a less-seasoned consultant to a senior ager has to intuit when they need it.
Character Matters by Albert Hernandez — Athletic Director, Socorro ISD As a former high school principal of a models and show our younger genera- comprehensive school. As professional comprehensive high school with great tion the pathways to success. adults, once trust is earned, we are given winning athletic programs and now a tremendous opportunity to be an in- an athletic director of a big west Texas There are many variables we look upon fluence to our student athletes. How we school district; I see the direct correla- to survey and pinpoint which attri- structure and organize this unique plat- tion between making a genuine effort bute contributes to making the great- form is the message I hope to convey to to positively impact school culture and est difference in the work we do each you today. build on the character of our students. day. We think of words such as Selfless, The culture of the school rests on the Dependability, Truthful, and Respect, As a former athlete myself, I reflect on shoulders of professional campus lead- coupled with the supporting individual the coaches throughout my entire life ers who place an intentional emphasis action of others to press forward strong who made a significant impact on me. It on student leaders to move campus cul- beliefs. In the more recent years, I have is evident that the influence and guid- ture and the character of their teams to come to the conclusion that one’s char- ance of these particular coaches had do what is right each and every day of acter plays a vital role in the actions of on the development of my character the school year. As administrators and any individual. Grouped as a whole, must be a direct link to the successes I coaches the highlight of our job is seeing the goal is always to impact the overall have experience in my career. I am cer- people succeed. Leaders must take the success of a team and add to the posi- tain each of you reading this article can initiative to guide, serve as positive role tive impact of the overall culture of a Story continued on page 9... THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 9 ...Story continued from page 8 (Character Matters) Dual Contracts: Can You Have Successful quickly think of several names of gen- Athletic Programs Without them? uine, intentional adults who made pos- itive impressions and mentored you by Dena Scott, CAA — Assistant Athletic Director, Fort Bend ISD to develop into valued people of your community. It becomes a reciprocal Throughout the state several dis- to appropriate documentation for quality of our democratic way of life we tricts have implemented dual removal, or the district must reas- enjoy and benefit from. contracts for their coaches. We sur- sign another coaching duty for the veyed several Athletic Directors to following year. In Conroe ISD we I have echoed the word “intentional” several times because one challenge we provide feedback on how dual con- offer dual contracts to only high must contend with is whether or not tracts work in their districts. school level positions. We have our efforts are intentional. We must phased dual contracts out at the ju- ask oneself if what we do with our staff Conroe ISD: Danny Long, AD nior high level and offer stipends and teams more routine and without The dual contract legally binds the for these positions. more substance or is there a true plan of action and guide to get us to the teacher to the two professional ca- Dumas ISD: Brian Heaton, AD goal. As a principal much of the work pacities in which the employee is pressed forward must be intentional assigned, both the teaching assign- Dual contracts allow us to keep given greater accountability measured ment and the athletic assignment. that teaching position. We have and pressed by the federal, state and lo- I feel it holds the teacher/coach to kept coaches after they have re- cal governments. The substance of rich more accountability in both areas signed when we have had multiple curriculum guides, teaches and serves a assigned. With ongoing legisla- openings in their teaching field. campus with benchmarks to gauge ac- complishment and need for improve- tive financial challenges, coaches We probably have had dual con- ment. The learning is outlined for us cannot refuse to coach and main- tracts for the past 20 years and it to follow and implement. As coaches tain his/her teaching position. If was simply to prevent someone and directors we must look differently they cannot perform the duties from resigning their coaching re- at our approach to finding our own cur- in one of the assignments they sponsibilities and keeping their riculum guides and accountability mea- would be resigning from both po- teaching positions. We need the sures to better organize our efforts to instill the quality attributes we want sitions. This helps eliminate po- teaching position to fill that coach- to instill in every athlete and the very tential staffing issues in which a ing vacancy. Dual contracts have people charged with delivering quality campus has too many teachers and worked very well for us. Keeps us athletic instruction. not enough employees willing to in control of managing teaching coach. Overall, it helps the district and coaching positions. “Weekly lessons on character help with staffing allocations. us to develop a focus on life that is Keller ISD: Bob DeJonge, AD greater than ourselves. It helps us rec- ognize who we are, where we are cur- On the other hand, it can often be difficult when a problem occurs for With Dual contracts, coaches can rently headed, and ultimately who and no longer opt out of coaching and what we want to become in the future.” the supervisor to document the still feel like they are entitled to Pebble Hills High School head foot- coaching side of the contract, es- ball coach Mark Torres. Pebble Hills pecially if the classroom teaching the same teaching assignment. High School has been using Character is going well. A dual contract locks However, eliminating a coach re- Matters curriculum to make a differ- the teacher/coach into a coaching quires substantial documentation ence in the lives of young Spartans. We since the teaching and coaching feel it is making a difference in the lives duty even when the employee does not desire to perform the coach- are tied together We have had Dual in young people along with the genuine Contracts in our high schools for efforts of our professionals throughout ing duties. This can often lead to our district to place emphasis on char- poor morale. If the district does 10 years and will start middle acter within their schools and sports choose to remove a coach from his school Dual Contracts next year. programs. coaching duties, there would have Story continued on page 10... THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 10 ...Story continued from page 9 (Dual Contracts) Round Rock ISD: cides to not coach the next year but Also, when utilized properly, the Dwayne Weirich, AD does not leave the school, and ath- coaching half of the dual-contract letic coordinator is at the discretion has to be fulfilled for the pur- Dual Contracts allow for spot to of their principal concerning re- pose of the employee’s renewal. I hire coaches and holds coaches re- placing that position with another think we all agree that occasion- sponsible for performance in both teaching field. In our current hiring ally Principals don't adhere to the areas (athletics/classroom). Anyone climate, open teaching fields may legality of the dual contract and in an athletic period is put on a be limited or non-existent in some the Athletic Coordinator seems to Dual Contract. I believe it helps us cases. be slighted in consideration of po- to hire the best candidates, those sitions. However, if there is no du- who went into the profession It has also created a lack of ac- al-contract in place the Athletic to serve in both roles (athletics/ countability in some cases for Coordinator really has no say in classroom) and not having to look coaches and their roles. Coaches the recommendation for the posi- within a faculty for someone that that are negligent in their duties tions. HR needs to be consistent wants to "try coaching". have little reason to improve their in enforcing that dual contracts are performance since they can simply We also surveyed High School followed equally on their merit, or stop coaching and still retain their they are pointless. Campus Coordinators, some who teaching position. This makes co- have dual contracts in their dis- ordination between middle school Whether you have dual contracts or trict and some who don’t have dual and high school programs difficult not in your district, I think we can contracts. since MS coaches are only evalu- all agree that hiring great coaches Districts without Dual ated by their building principal is vital to the success of any ath- Contracts: and not under the discretion of the letic program. It seems that dual campus athletic coordinator. contracts can assist the Athletic Not having dual contracts has Director as well as the campus co- caused us to lose 6 coaching posi- There are currently 6 teachers that ordinators with finding those great tions this year without being able were hired as coaches and are not coaches and then keeping them on to hire a teacher/coach to replace coaching any more but are still staff or if/when they decide to leave that position. Unless our staffing teaching. This causes me to lose coaching, they must leave the teach- numbers are increased from the those coaching spots because I ing spot as well. This ultimately al- district, we either have to go short don’t have a teaching spot to hire lows for another great coach to on number of coaches, or have a new coach. I currently have 3 come in and fill that spot. On the other coaches/staff fill those va- coaching positions that I cannot fill other hand, if you hire a not so great cant roles (this means that we don’t and have had open all year. coach, you will have to provide a lot get to select the most qualified per- Districts with Dual Contracts: of documentation to remove them son for the job). In either case, we because they are also being released are not putting the best interests I support dual contracts. The main from their teaching job. I would like of our student-athletes first. If too reason is to ensure the teaching/ to personally thank all those who many coaching positions are lost coaching positions stay together. contributed to this article on Dual in this manor, it is possible that we The issue you run into without Contracts. would not be able to have a team them is coaches that just decide even though there are students they don’t want to coach anymore. who want to participate. You lose that teaching field and may not be able to replace the The lack of dual contracts has made coach due to lack of position. This is the replacement of coaches very especially a problem with the best difficult. When a current coach de- teaching jobs like PE and Health. THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 11 THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 12 THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 13
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Standing above the com- ship with Eventbrite, and according to Where did you go to college? petition, we have a unique high school Chris Aker, VP of Sales for Eventbrite, campaign that helps brands reach new their goal of bringing people together I attended Stephen F. Austin State audiences. We have provided integrated becomes more attainable by partner- University for two years before trans- marketing and multimedia solutions for ing with HTM, “Eventbrite is focused ferring to Midwestern State University. our corporate partners, such as Akron on bringing people together through Children’s Hospital and revenue gen- Did you play sports in high school? live events. Part of the way we do that erating campaigns for our higher edu- is by partnering with best-in-class com- I played softball and volleyball in high cation institutions, like University of panies like TicketRoar,” Aker says. “We school. Houston. are pleased to serve this market of high Co-Op Marketing: school administrators, students and What’s your favorite part of your fans in collaboration with TicketRoar.” job? An HTM Co-Op marketing platform For more information about how I love getting to meet new people at dif- helps drive traffic to local businesses while benefiting the heart of the com- TicketRoar is offering an enhanced ferent schools around the state. I’ve ticketing solution built specifically for met so many great people in the eight munity; its local high schools. Best of all, it’s turnkey, we handle all the de- schools, visit: years I have worked for Home Team https://www.ticketroar.com/schools Marketing. tails. We assist store managers, such as Farmers Insurance, and franchisees, Or follow on social media: @ticketroar What’s something people might like Sears Hometown Stores, brand For more information about not know about you? their businesses at local high schools of Home Team Marketing and its their choice through meaningful part- I pitched for the softball team at both myriad of solutions for schools, visit: nerships. Then, we donate a significant http://hometeammarketing.com Stephen F. Austin and Midwestern portion back to the high school in the State University. businesses’ name. Our platform is ideal THSADA NEWSLETTER / July 2017 14 Whataburger Group Dining Program Whataburger’s commitment to pro- fessional and youth sports dates all the way back to 1950 when the very first restaurant opened in Corpus Christi, Texas. Whataburger’s founder, Harmon Dobson, sup- ported local Little League teams, and 66 years later, Whataburger continues to play an active role in youth, high school and college level sports. The Whataburger Group Dining pro- gram is just one way Whataburger aims to make it easier for coaches and teachers to focus on their teams. When traveling to away games, competitions and events, coaches and teachers can use the program to call ahead with the number of people in their group and their approximate time of arrival at their closest Whataburger restau- ers can pay for meals with their For more information about the pro- rant. From there, the Whataburger Group Dining Card instead of using gram and to fill out the online ap- crew will be on hand and ready to cash. Athletic directors and coaches plication, please visit Whataburger. feed the team, provide the excellent will then receive an invoice from the com and look under the “Group service customers have come to ex- Whataburger manager to take back Dining” tab on the Community pect from Whataburger, and have to their billing department. In addi- page. Whataburger is commit- the team back on the road in no tion, Whataburger offers group dis- ted to great service, and the Group time. counts and the group leader always Dining program is just one way for “For more than four years, we’ve eats free. Additional benefits of the Whataburger to help coaches and used Whataburger’s Group Dining program include one free meal for teachers concentrate on bringing program as our preferred meal every 10 purchased, and for groups home the W. of 20 or more, two people eat free. choice when traveling with our Family-owned Whataburger has teams. We have high expectations proudly served its famous burgers when it comes to cost and qual- for 66 years and continues to deliver ity for the kids in our district, and fresh, made-to-order meals every Whataburger’s fresh, hot meals and day with extraordinary customer great service always deliver. That’s service. Headquartered in San the kind of experience we’ve come Antonio, Whataburger has success- to expect and continue to enjoy,” fully expanded from a single burger said Director for Athletics and ULI stand in 1950 to a thriving family of Activities for Houston ISD Marmion more than 800 restaurants across Dambrino. 10 states today. When they participate in the Group Dining program, coaches and teach-