How to Build a Successful Athletic Program:
Building a successful athletic program takes dedicated leadership and long hours. It’s not uncommon for athletic directors to work 10 to 12-hour days, weekends, and holidays. Those hours are filled with fundraising and budget challenges, researching potential coaches, scheduling games, meetings and so much more. Regardless of the obstacles, successful programs are driven by passionate athletic directors focused on goals and reaching every student, not just those involved with athletics.
Students are participating in athletics now more than ever, and that means the list of responsibilities, goals, and challenges continues to grow for athletic directors. Here are the top five issues athletic directors face in 2023.
- Finding the Right Coach
Funding issues have led to a decline in coach stipends in some parts of the country. Most athletic directors would love to hire a teacher to lead their programs, but the low stipend and long hours just aren’t worth it. Some athletic directors believe a system to increase a stipend each year would increase the chances of coaches staying longer within the program.
But what qualities do athletic directors look for in a coach? Most athletic directors are looking for coaches who are driven. Sure, everybody wants to win games, but winning games isn’t the only job of a coach. Coaches need to lead students, challenge them, and support them. Leaving a legacy isn’t always about trophies, it’s also about what kind of men and women, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers students become. The drive to be a positive influence in the lives of students is a quality that is sought the most.
Another quality athletic directors look for in a new coach is how willing they are to continuously learn. To network, go to conferences, and be constantly learning in their craft so they’re a better coach when it comes to x’s and o’s but also become better for assistant coaches and players as they build the program and the culture.
Finally, athletic directors aren’t necessarily looking for the coaches with the best game plan, strategy, or most wins. They’re looking for a coach who is a servant leader. They want coaches who are willing to invest in and positively influence students because they understand the bigger picture.
- Budget and Fundraising
Athletic directors continue to seek out new methods for handling budget and fundraising challenges. Coaches, athletes, and athletic directors need to think outside the box to bring funding into the program. One option Digital Scoreboards provides is a dedicated sponsorship management team to cultivate sponsorship dollars. This program is Scoreboard Media, and is a perfect choice for those athletic directors who are in need of a digital LED scoreboard but may not have the budget to afford one or the man power to sell advertisements to local businesses. Plus, athletic departments often need new equipment, uniforms, technology, software, and other essentials to run a successful program. Not every school is fortunate enough to have a big budget or any budget at all. If a school doesn’t have a booster club to help, the duty of fundraising falls on the shoulders of coaches and athletic directors. But it’s more than just selling sweatshirts and caps, a raffle, or flamingo flocking, it’s about motivating the student-athlete, marketing the fundraiser, and then showing gratitude to the donors.
Once you’ve created the fundraiser and received buy-in from athletes, it’s time to market the event. That means hitting the streets and visiting local businesses or putting an ad in the paper or creating a Facebook page. But the best way to market your fundraiser is to get the parents and alumni involved. They can help build publicity and lend a helping hand. Another source of support can come from a business sponsoring the event, which can create much more hype. Take advantage of all the resources you have and remember that enthusiasm plays a big part in the success of your fundraiser.
- Additional Responsibilities
Athletic directors are being asked to take on more responsibilities while continuing to direct the program. Some athletic directors are being asked to schedule all building use, not just the athletic facility but the entire school. Others are taking on jobs that have nothing to do with athletics and are more related to any extracurricular activity. If there is a need, it could be added to the plate of the athletic director.
- Other Influences
Travel softball, band, pop choir, robotics…the list goes on and on. Students these days are involved with so many activities outside of sports. Activities athletic directors, and their coaches, need to be aware of. It’s a balancing act and the best thing athletic directors and coaches can do is to be aware of what students are involved in and build a relationship with them so they know you’re doing what’s best for them.
- Parents
While most parents are supportive of their child and your athletic program, some parents can be a major headache. Some athletic directors might say it’s worse now more than ever and unfortunately, doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. The best you can do is to keep calm and try to understand without ever letting some parent derail your focus on the program.
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