NEOIAAA EXECUTIVE BOARD COMMITTEES
2024-2025
NEOIAAA Executive Committee resurrected the mentoring program started in 2005 by Bruce Brown. Bruce originally stated the goal of the mentoring program was to assist the new or minimally-experienced athletic administrator through the broad spectrum of challenges we know as “A.D. work!”. Every individual in this profession knows the commitment, energy and knowledge necessary to be effective in today’s interscholastic environment. This seemed a good starting point for this year’s mentoring program as well.
Like the work each athletic administrator performs, there is no clear or “carbon copy” pathway to success. Athletic Administrators must discern each school’s unique culture, climate and expectations to be effective, however, we all have learned some proven techniques (or, in many cases, learned through the “school of hard knocks”!) to improve our jobs. The NEOIAAA’s Mentoring Program aims to help new athletic administrators through this process.
In the Fall, new athletic administrators were paired with veteran athletic administrators. Veterans were charged with establishing a relationship with the (hats off to Bruce Brown) “newbies” by making contact and setting up a preliminary meeting. Veterans were encouraged to follow up with phone calls and meetings to guide new athletic administrators through the day to day challenges, i.e. OHSAA paperwork for eligibility certification, tournament entry, sports physical requirements, academic requirements, etc., or just simply be a sounding board for the frustrations we all face daily.
The response from both new and veteran athletic administrators has been very positive. Some veterans admit learning a new approach or tactic themselves from the new faces on the block. New athletic administrators have been very appreciative of the time and talent veterans have given to them. Some mentors and their mentees have found innovative and exciting new ways to approach athletic administration. Whether talking on the phone, meeting before league meetings, or kibbutzing before a game, athletic administrators seem to be enjoying the mentoring program. It is our intent to keep this program vital and continue to provide mentors for new athletic administrators.
If you are a new athletic administrator who was somehow missed in the assignment of mentor and you would like a mentor, please contact Greg Cooper, Athletic Director at Canfield HS, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Barb Salata, Athletic Director at Walsh Jesuit HS, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..