We are in thousands of Schools Nationwide! WHY?

Today’s Athletic Directors spend enormous amounts of time working hard to help kids enjoy the sport they love. While Athletic Directors are typically not a part of the daily media coverage found in online TV, Radio, and print publications; the fact remains that no games would be played if not for the dedication and hard work Athletic Directors display every day. A typical “work day” for an Athletic Director is a moving target, often involving hours before school starts and lasting well past the last period bell or last game played. Many Athletic Directors are being assigned additional responsibilities, including oversight of all non-sport extracurricular activities.

An Athletic Director’s role and considerable areas of responsibility are often misunderstood within a community and by those who attend a High School game. Trustworthy and reliable transportation, assignment of officials and proper field conditions are sometime taken for granted by players and their families. Behind the scenes, Athletic Directors plan, check and double check their work every day. Clearly, checking and maintaining records, regarding student-athlete eligibility, is no small matter. One ‘clever’ family seeking to bend the rules can ruin an entire season’s worth of hard work, practice and success for the team, school and community. From Booster Club relationships to concession stand inventory; from scheduling of fields, gyms and courts to finding a replacement game for a last second cancellation by the opponent, the life of an Athletic Director is full of challenges and surprises. Management of security related matters, and the assignment of teachers to attend games after school hours are no easy chore. Weather related cancellations require instant communication to a dispersed audience; followed by an intense scramble to reschedule everything all over again – fields, officials, transportation, etc.

Often overlooked by the community is the importance of personnel administration.  Policies, processes and coordination of hiring, training and supporting their school’s coaching staff is one, if not the, most important role of an Athletic Director. Recruiting, interviewing and making the hiring decision begins starts the clock on a new relationship.

The list goes on - Communication of “Sports Night” to families – meetings with the next season’s coaching staff – attending Athletic Director Conferences – participating in required certification courses – attending school administration meetings – making difficult decisions regarding renewals of contracts – contract and vendor management – equipment and supplies purchasing decisions – responding to changes in the budget – presenting their budget! – scheduling banquests – approving and ordering school varsity letters and certificates - the list is endless.

The point of all this is that the life of an Athletic Director is challenging – rewarding – and requires hard work and dedication. DigitalSports understands the vital role played by an Athletic Director, as well as the conditions often faced while performing their jobs. Consequently, DigitalSports has merged with LeagueMinder and created the only 360° Sports and Activity Management Tool for Athletic Directors and their Coaches – DigitalSports 360°™. This proprietary system is web based, secure and can immediately enhance the daly life of an Athletic Director.