Dear GADA member,
The Georgia Athletic Directors Association State Conference in Savannah provided us all with the opportunity to see old friends and make new connections. I believe that everyone enjoyed themselves and benefited from the weekend. Conference attendance and the number of vendors were both at all-time highs. A hearty thanks to all that participated, especially those that made the event possible.
Seven National LTI classes and seven independent workshops were offered. Monday's golf tournament included a sixteen under winning performance, followed by the annual Riddell Low Country Boil at the Knights of Columbus. At our FCA breakfast, Robert Atkins' presentation on behalf of Ringgold High School reminded us of the true mission of our profession and the importance of the GADA. The weekend was highlighted by the induction of three new members to the GADA Hall of Fame: Alvin J. Copeland, Roy 'Buddy' Knapp and Joe Sanfilippo. A great day! I hope that each of you will take a moment to think about your experience at the conference, and throughout the year, and contact one of our Board members to let us know how we can serve you better. How can we assist you in your invaluable role as an athletic administrator? How can the conference be improved? Your insight and input will enhance our organization and improve our profession. Mark your calendars for next year's conference, March 23 - 26, in Savannah. May the force be with you for the rest of the year.
Proud to serve as your President,
Mike Carswell, CAA
Athletic Director
Calvary Day
Savannah, Georgia
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| A Summary of the 2012 GADA Conference
By Dr. Lucia Norwood - Executive Director
|  As one reflects on the beginnings of our first gathering of approximately 25 athletic directors present at a fish farm in Newnan, the growth of the Georgia Athletic Directors Association is utterly unbelievable. The 2012 conference was one of firsts. There were more members registered that ever before, and there more exhibitors than last year. The educational leadership classes increased in numbers and the workshops provided additional information to our members.
Dr. Lucia Norwood The Hall of Fame luncheon provided an opportunity to meet the inductees: Alvin Copeland, Roy "Buddy" Knapp and Joe Sanfilippo. A video of each of the inductee was shown of the inductee prior to the presentation of the crystal cup by the Chairman, Carter Wilson. The videos were filmed and edited at Savannah Arts Academy. L to R: Alvin J. Copeland, Roy "Buddy" Knapp, Joe Sanfilippo The exhibits opened and the members were really pleased with the variety of products displayed. Each exhibitor was introduced and provided prizes for our members. Following the introductions, the keynote speaker Dan Radakovich was introduced. His message was well received by the audience. After the keynote address, a social was held at the Knights of Columbus for the exhibitors and members. A good time was had by all. The Awards Breakfast had the largest number in attendance ever, a credit to Chairman, Tommy Marshall. The athletic directors in each region were recognized with plaques. Also recognized were the classification winners: AAAAA Bobby Brewington, AAAA Mike Singletary, AAA, Marvin Fields AA, Luis Varela and A, Bill Schmitz. The Athletic Director of the year was Jeff Beggs. The state scholarship winners were announced. The male recipient was Michael Gouge from Brookwood High School and the female recipient was Anna Grace Rutledge from Darlington School. The co-sponsors of the awards were Riddell and All American Specialties. After breakfast, the golfers headed to the course. Golf provided many laughs and was an opportunity for the exhibitors and our members to enjoy the beautiful weather, and of course, purchase mulligans! The golf outing was followed by a low country boil and BBQ. The meal is always one of the highlights of the conference, and is sponsored by our friends at Riddell.  The following morning, Dan Atkins from Ringgold High School was the speaker for the FCA breakfast. Through a PowerPoint presentation, he depicted the devastation of the tornado to the town, the athletic fields, the equipment and the facilities. He was so appreciative of all the support given by the athletic directors and our organization. Following the breakfast, the next speaker was Dr. Ralph Swearngin. He covered the new structure of the public/private alignment, and answered many questions. Dr. Swearngin also addressed some of the new By-Laws with an emphasis on the new Heat and Humidity Policy The conference ended with the general meeting. The budget was distributed to the members and was approved. The slate of new officers were presented and approved. One last note of importance: On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you to all our Sponsors and Exhibitors for your support of the athletic directors in Georgia. |
Now you can join the GADA and NIAAA via Paypal!
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| Athletic Director Checklist/Reminders for April |
- Begin preparations for budget proposals for next fiscal year.
- Schedule physical exam dates for fall sports athletes
- Handle spring sports rainouts/cancellations and weekly schedules as needed.
- Don't forget National Secretaries Day (April 25th)!
- Set dates for summer gymnasium maintenance.
- Set schedules for teams throughout the summer.
- Send out school sponsored summer camps brochures and information to media.
- Winter sports schedules should be finalized and contracts completed for next year.
- Winter sports inventories should be completed and all equipment stored and secured.
- Review and schedule maintenance on all scoreboards.
- Prepare for spring sports region tournaments to include scheduling, traveling,
- lodging and meals.
- Monthly athletic department meetings.
- Have scheduled end of the year team banquets and prepare to order awards.
- Meet with Athletic Trainer (ATC) to receive monthly injury updates.
- Prepare sites to host region events (if applicable).
- Check for scheduling for officials, umpires and referees.
- Communicate with Region Secretary for area/Region information and updates.
- Check the GHSA website for pertinent information.
This should give you a start in your preparation for the month of October. Good luck! Jeff Beggs CMAA
Director of Athletics
Atlanta Public Schools
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| Peachtree Ridge AD steps down after decorated career
By Stephen Black - Score Atlanta
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It's important to love what you do.
 And Peachtree Ridge AD Bill Holleman loves what he does. However, the veteran soccer coach, educator, and athletic director announced Tuesday (3/27) he will step down from his post at the Gwinnett County school to retire.
After an award winning career , Holleman decided that it was the perfect time to step away.
"It was the end of the year, so it's a natural break," said Holleman. "I'm announcing now so that the school can make plans for a replacement."
But after 39 years of coaching and teaching, Holleman looked forward to his work without pause.
"I never had a day that I didn't want to come in," said the North Carolina native.
Holleman's career is full of accomplishments. After starting his career at Sanderson High School in Raleigh fresh out of graduate school at North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Holleman moved to Ravensroft School to coach soccer. Read more...
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| Cash-strapped schools turn to advertising
By George Mathis - AJC.com
|  Know your target audience. Who are your most important customers, clients or prospects, and why? Know what is important to them and address their needs in your newsletter each month. Include a photo to make your newsletter even more appealing.I rarely predict the future correctly, as the Sony Rolly on my bedside bureau will attest, but in my opinion school buses will soon be riddled with more ads than Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s NASCAR ride.
If a statue of Robert E. Lee at a public school is OK, why not an advertisement for a commercial product? Cash-strapped public schools in the Dallas area are already plastering posters on buses and buildings. If it works there, it will be here before you can correctly recall the subtleties of long division. So far, ads for banks, dentists and real estate have popped up. Plenty of folks are alarmed, according to the Dallas Morning News. School officials say they need new sources of funding due to state budget cuts. Read more... |
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Sincerely,
Mike Carswell, CAA
President
Georgia Athletic Directors Association
www.gadaonline.net |
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April 2012 GHSA Newsletter
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Click HERE for the latest GHSA Newsletter
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GADA Pullover Jackets Now Available
Order yours today!
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Available in Men's and Women's cuts.
Men's feature removable sleeves
Sizes: Small to XXL!Click HERE to order yours today! |
| New Lighting-Management Strategy Leaves Teams in the Dark
By Michael Popke - AthleticBusiness.com
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Know your target audience. Who are your most important customers, clients or prospects, and why? Know what is important to them and address their needs in your newsletter each month. Include a photo to make your newsletter even more appealing.Ever since Pitt County (N.C.) Schools began regulating the lights at athletic fields in the district - a move intended to save money and limit electricity - players, coaches and fans have been experiencing unexpected blackouts.
According to The Daily Reflector of Greenville, the school system's new energy-management program operates based on a master list of athletic schedules submitted by coaches and athletic directors. Events are entered into the system as practices or games, with lights scheduled for use from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for practices and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. for games. Most of the problems thus far have been because of human error or scheduling mix-ups. "It's a new system, so we're working through some bugs, but in the long run hopefully the control will be beneficial to us financially and also to the schools from a monitoring standpoint," Aaron Beaulieu, associate superintendent of operations for Pitt County Schools, told reporter Ronnie Woodward, adding that as a cost-savings measure, the new approach already is working. "We know that right now they are definitely not running to the length of time they were running last year." Read more...
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