As an Athletic Director, you’re overwhelmed with all kinds of information. You have to keep up with everything from codes of conduct to parent communication to state tournament entry processes. The good news is that there are resources, mentors, and associations that can fasttrack your knowledge base.
First things first, your most important resources to learning, growing, and serving your athletic department are your state Athletic Association and your state Athletic Directors Association.
But, what’s the difference between them and what do they do?
An Athletic Association and an Athletic Directors Association serve different purposes within the realm of sports and athletics, and they have distinct roles and functions.
Here’s how to think about each of them…
Athletic Association:
A state Athletic Association is typically an organization that governs and oversees the broader aspects of athletics and sports within a state. These associations often focus on organizing and regulating sports competitions and tournaments.
- Athletic Associations are responsible for setting rules and guidelines for various sports, organizing championship events, and ensuring fair play and sportsmanship among athletes and teams.
- They may also provide support, resources, and assistance to member schools, teams, and organizations to help them participate in athletic events and adhere to established standards.
- Examples of Athletic Associations include the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) or the New York State Pubic High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) among other state-based high school athletic associations.
Athletic Directors Association:
A state Athletic Directors Association, on the other hand, is an organization primarily composed of athletic directors or administrators responsible for overseeing the sports programs at educational institutions such as schools, colleges, or universities.
- Athletic Directors Associations focus on the professional development and networking of athletic directors. They provide a platform for these administrators to share best practices, exchange ideas, and collaborate on issues related to sports management and administration.
- These associations often offer resources, training, and conferences to help athletic directors improve their skills in areas like budgeting, facility management, scheduling, compliance with rules and regulations, and more.
- Examples of Athletic Directors Associations include the Connecticut Athletic Directors Association (CADA) and the New York Athletic Administrators Association (NYSAAA) among other state-based athletic director associations. There is also the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) which provides these resources and opportunities on a national level.
“We are truly the best networking connection available for Athletic Directors,” says Karen Leinaar, Executive Director of the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA).
In summary, a state Athletic Association typically deals with the governance and regulation of sports competitions and events on a broader scale, while a state Athletic Directors Association focuses on the professional development and support of individuals responsible for managing sports programs at educational institutions. The roles and functions of these two types of organizations complement each other in the overall landscape of athletics; and they’re both resources for your athletic department.
