Materials from 2013 Conference Presentations
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THANK YOU WSSAAA Sponsors
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March 12, 2013 WSSAAA Article
I have been fortunate to spend my entire 22 year educational career as either a coach or athletic director. When I got started I did not realize my role as a leader and it took me many years to accept the fact that leadership is required of every coach and administrator.
Once I figure that out I started reading about leadership. I needed to know what it means and how to be effective at it. I also started attending the WSSAAA conference and viewed each session through a lens that would improve me as a leader to help my programs and individuals succeed.
To lead people we need to know where we are going and guide the people who work with us to see what we are trying to achieve. Our guide is our vision and philosophy. Without them our programs are like boats without a rudder. They are moved about by the currents of the most vocal people at a given moment.
Attending the 2013 WSSAAA conference (April 21-24, 2013 in Spokane) will help you sharpen your vision and philosophy. It will give you the tools to inform and inspire your coaches to develop the intangible traits of your student-athletes to help them become the leaders of tomorrow.
If you are on the fence about whether or not the conference is worth your time, please take a moment to review the 30 breakout sessions being offered (Workshop Session Summaries). The variety of topics will surely provide something for everyone. After you attend the conference, I believe you will be a better leader and have a stronger vision and philosophy for your programs. And your student-athletes will benefit from it.
Robert Polk
President-elect WSSAAA
I have been fortunate to spend my entire 22 year educational career as either a coach or athletic director. When I got started I did not realize my role as a leader and it took me many years to accept the fact that leadership is required of every coach and administrator.
Once I figure that out I started reading about leadership. I needed to know what it means and how to be effective at it. I also started attending the WSSAAA conference and viewed each session through a lens that would improve me as a leader to help my programs and individuals succeed.
To lead people we need to know where we are going and guide the people who work with us to see what we are trying to achieve. Our guide is our vision and philosophy. Without them our programs are like boats without a rudder. They are moved about by the currents of the most vocal people at a given moment.
Attending the 2013 WSSAAA conference (April 21-24, 2013 in Spokane) will help you sharpen your vision and philosophy. It will give you the tools to inform and inspire your coaches to develop the intangible traits of your student-athletes to help them become the leaders of tomorrow.
If you are on the fence about whether or not the conference is worth your time, please take a moment to review the 30 breakout sessions being offered (Workshop Session Summaries). The variety of topics will surely provide something for everyone. After you attend the conference, I believe you will be a better leader and have a stronger vision and philosophy for your programs. And your student-athletes will benefit from it.
Robert Polk
President-elect WSSAAA
March 12, 2013 WSSAAA Article
I have been fortunate to spend my entire 22 year educational career as either a coach or athletic director. When I got started I did not realize my role as a leader and it took me many years to accept the fact that leadership is required of every coach and administrator.
Once I figure that out I started reading about leadership. I needed to know what it means and how to be effective at it. I also started attending the WSSAAA conference and viewed each session through a lens that would improve me as a leader to help my programs and individuals succeed.
To lead people we need to know where we are going and guide the people who work with us to see what we are trying to achieve. Our guide is our vision and philosophy. Without them our programs are like boats without a rudder. They are moved about by the currents of the most vocal people at a given moment.
Attending the 2013 WSSAAA conference (April 21-24, 2013 in Spokane) will help you sharpen your vision and philosophy. It will give you the tools to inform and inspire your coaches to develop the intangible traits of your student-athletes to help them become the leaders of tomorrow.
If you are on the fence about whether or not the conference is worth your time, please take a moment to review the 30 breakout sessions being offered (Workshop Session Summaries). The variety of topics will surely provide something for everyone. After you attend the conference, I believe you will be a better leader and have a stronger vision and philosophy for your programs. And your student-athletes will benefit from it.
Robert Polk
President-elect WSSAAA
I have been fortunate to spend my entire 22 year educational career as either a coach or athletic director. When I got started I did not realize my role as a leader and it took me many years to accept the fact that leadership is required of every coach and administrator.
Once I figure that out I started reading about leadership. I needed to know what it means and how to be effective at it. I also started attending the WSSAAA conference and viewed each session through a lens that would improve me as a leader to help my programs and individuals succeed.
To lead people we need to know where we are going and guide the people who work with us to see what we are trying to achieve. Our guide is our vision and philosophy. Without them our programs are like boats without a rudder. They are moved about by the currents of the most vocal people at a given moment.
Attending the 2013 WSSAAA conference (April 21-24, 2013 in Spokane) will help you sharpen your vision and philosophy. It will give you the tools to inform and inspire your coaches to develop the intangible traits of your student-athletes to help them become the leaders of tomorrow.
If you are on the fence about whether or not the conference is worth your time, please take a moment to review the 30 breakout sessions being offered (Workshop Session Summaries). The variety of topics will surely provide something for everyone. After you attend the conference, I believe you will be a better leader and have a stronger vision and philosophy for your programs. And your student-athletes will benefit from it.
Robert Polk
President-elect WSSAAA
Different teams, same goal: Sports, youth and the path of life
In athletics, every team starts each season with similar dreams and goals. For most teams these dreams and goals center on winning league, district, and state championships. To achieve these dreams and goals the athletes train in the off-season, practice for hours during the season, and compete to their fullest potential on game night.
Similarly, there are numerous adults that represent a variety of “teams” that have similar goals for the student-athletes. These adult teams include parents, administrators, volunteers, coaches, and officials. The primary goal of these adult teams is to help our students become great people and to prepare them for the challenges of life. So the 2013 conference theme is “Different teams, same goal: Sports, youth nd the path of life”.
As I have mentioned in previous articles, we have presenters covering all of these adult teams. After you leave the conference you will have new ideas on how to work with each group so that all of the adults are preparing kids for the path of life rather than trying to prepare the path of life for the kids.
The conference registration form and schedule have been added to the WSSAAA.com main page. This year your registration form will be submitted electronically. You can register today.
Best of luck to your winter sports teams and I look forward to seeing you in Spokane.
Robert Polk
President-elect WSSAAA
In athletics, every team starts each season with similar dreams and goals. For most teams these dreams and goals center on winning league, district, and state championships. To achieve these dreams and goals the athletes train in the off-season, practice for hours during the season, and compete to their fullest potential on game night.
Similarly, there are numerous adults that represent a variety of “teams” that have similar goals for the student-athletes. These adult teams include parents, administrators, volunteers, coaches, and officials. The primary goal of these adult teams is to help our students become great people and to prepare them for the challenges of life. So the 2013 conference theme is “Different teams, same goal: Sports, youth nd the path of life”.
As I have mentioned in previous articles, we have presenters covering all of these adult teams. After you leave the conference you will have new ideas on how to work with each group so that all of the adults are preparing kids for the path of life rather than trying to prepare the path of life for the kids.
The conference registration form and schedule have been added to the WSSAAA.com main page. This year your registration form will be submitted electronically. You can register today.
Best of luck to your winter sports teams and I look forward to seeing you in Spokane.
Robert Polk
President-elect WSSAAA
Plan Now for 2013 Conference
As soon as one school year ends, we start planning and preparing for the next. The same is true for the WSSAAA State Conference. Planning and preparation is already underway for the April 21-24, 2013 conference and it is my honor and privilege to be the conference chair. Here is a quick update on the plans.
As usual, the conference will kick off with the annual Gordon Prentice Golf Tournament on Sunday, April 21 at Down River Golf Course. After a round of golf with your friends you will be treated to a barbecue and fabulous prizes.
We have already secured our keynote speakers for the 2013 conference. Barry Mano of the National Association of Sports Officials and Jim Thompson of the Positive Coaching Alliance have agreed to contribute to our leadership development. They will each bring their perspective regarding youth athletics and what youth sport organization leaders can do to make the kids’ experiences positive and memorable.
Our state is a leader in providing National Interscholastic Athletic Administrator Association (NIAAA) courses. Several Leadership Training Institute (LTI) courses will be offered throughout the conference. Successful completion of select courses will lead you toward the Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) designation. More about this program can be found at www.NIAAA.org.
In what I believe is the backbone of our state conference, we are planning the conference breakout sessions. Breakout sessions provide all of us the opportunity to step up as leaders among leaders and to share the ideas and tricks that help everyone improve in their job. I encourage each of you to think about the work you do and the ideas you can share to make the rest of us better. If you would like to present, send me an email toRPolk@everettsd.org with your idea and I will add it to our list of presenters.
Finally, we need to make every effort to honor the people that do the work that provides our student-athletes with a chance to compete. In the fall you will be reminded to nominate individuals for commendation awards, athletic director of the year awards, and the hall of fame. Start talking to your coaches and fellow athletic directors now so that you can submit your nominees in a timely manner.
In 2012, attendance at the conference was phenomenal. Let’s keep the momentum going and start planning now to attend in 2013. And be sure to bring a friend.
Robert Polk
President-elect WSSAAA
As soon as one school year ends, we start planning and preparing for the next. The same is true for the WSSAAA State Conference. Planning and preparation is already underway for the April 21-24, 2013 conference and it is my honor and privilege to be the conference chair. Here is a quick update on the plans.
As usual, the conference will kick off with the annual Gordon Prentice Golf Tournament on Sunday, April 21 at Down River Golf Course. After a round of golf with your friends you will be treated to a barbecue and fabulous prizes.
We have already secured our keynote speakers for the 2013 conference. Barry Mano of the National Association of Sports Officials and Jim Thompson of the Positive Coaching Alliance have agreed to contribute to our leadership development. They will each bring their perspective regarding youth athletics and what youth sport organization leaders can do to make the kids’ experiences positive and memorable.
Our state is a leader in providing National Interscholastic Athletic Administrator Association (NIAAA) courses. Several Leadership Training Institute (LTI) courses will be offered throughout the conference. Successful completion of select courses will lead you toward the Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) designation. More about this program can be found at www.NIAAA.org.
In what I believe is the backbone of our state conference, we are planning the conference breakout sessions. Breakout sessions provide all of us the opportunity to step up as leaders among leaders and to share the ideas and tricks that help everyone improve in their job. I encourage each of you to think about the work you do and the ideas you can share to make the rest of us better. If you would like to present, send me an email toRPolk@everettsd.org with your idea and I will add it to our list of presenters.
Finally, we need to make every effort to honor the people that do the work that provides our student-athletes with a chance to compete. In the fall you will be reminded to nominate individuals for commendation awards, athletic director of the year awards, and the hall of fame. Start talking to your coaches and fellow athletic directors now so that you can submit your nominees in a timely manner.
In 2012, attendance at the conference was phenomenal. Let’s keep the momentum going and start planning now to attend in 2013. And be sure to bring a friend.
Robert Polk
President-elect WSSAAA
