 I am sure you share my thoughts on "Where Did The Summer Go?" As we kick off a new year, I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve as your President for this year! First, I would like to congratulate all the region and classification winners of the Regions Bank Directors Cup. What a wonderful accomplishment for each of your schools. In case you were not able to attend the open membership meeting at the conference this past March in Savannah, a new board structure was passed and we are excited about the growth of our organization. Also effective this summer, your membership will run for one calendar year from the registration date. Luckily our new online system will send reminder emails as your renewal date approaches. I also wanted to pass along that we will no longer charge a fee for use of a credit card for membership or conference registration. Our new job board and online forum has seen a lot of activity the spring and summer and we hope to continue to grow this service. As a gentle reminder, don't forget to delete your job postings once they have been filled. I would like to encourage everyone to attend the NIAAA Convention in Nashville this December and to mark your calendars for the GADA Spring Conference in Savannah which will be held at the Hilton DeSoto Hotel March 18-21, 2017. I am hoping for a smooth start to the year for each of you and please let us know if we can help you in any way. Warmest Regards, Ruth K. Donahoo, CMAA
GADA President Director of Athletics Holy Innocents' Episcopal School
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September is GHSA Cancer Awareness Month |  The Georgia High School Association is designating the month of September as it's official fall sports "Cancer Awareness Month" to advance the awareness of and help fight several types of this dreaded disease. In observance of Breast Cancer awareness, the GHSA will allow member schools to wear "Pink" uniforms and/or pink socks, wristbands, etc., at their HOME events during the week of September 5-10 for all fall sports (football, cheerleading, cross country, softball and volleyball). There will be additional weeks designated as "Pink Weeks" for winter and spring sports.
September 12-17 will be the second annual GHSA "Gold Week" to help raise the awareness of Childhood Cancer. The GHSA is proud to partner with Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research to encourage Georgia high schools to "Go Gold" during this week. Again, this is for all fall sports.
Football teams can wear gold jerseys, socks and wristbands at home games, while cross country, volleyball and softball teams can wear matching gold headbands and wristbands at home events. To learn about even more ways to get involved, view the Rally media release by clicking here or visit RallyFoundation.org. And, finally, September 19-24 will be the third annual "Blue Week" in the sport of Football only to help fight Prostate Cancer. Special blue decals and blue wristbands can be worn this week, and the officials will have blue penalty flags to throw. Also the host school can stencil blue ribbons on the playing field for this special contest.
If a school does NOT have a home contest during one of the designated cancer awareness weeks, that school may request to wear or display the special cancer-awareness colors at a home contest during another week in September. Schools should contact the appropriate GHSA sports coordinator with this request. |
Should HS coaches have veto over transfers?
By Randy Travis - Fox5 Atlanta
|  GRAY, Ga. - It may seem like life moves slower in Jones County, but even in Middle Georgia they wish for simpler days.
"You didn't have to worry about kids leaving," Jones County athletic director Barry Veal remembered. "It's getting crazy. I'm telling you. It's getting crazy."
The longtime Greyhound coach and athletic director shared the concerns of high school coaches across the state worried about athletes suddenly transferring to another program. This year, eight highly-touted college prospects moved to football powerhouse Grayson High in Gwinnett County.
Should HS coaches have veto over transfers?
One of them was senior defensive back Jamyest Williams. Grayson will be his third high school in four years. He even announced the Grayson news on Twitter in the same manner a player might announce his college choice, tweeting in April, "I had to do what was best for me."
Coach Veal said he sees it happening in Middle Georgia, too.
"I understand the kids," he told us. "They want to go play for winners. They want to go play for this school. They want to go play for this school that wins every year. I understand that. But that's not high school. You go help build a program."
State rules allow transfers as long as no one connected to the new school influenced the player to come. Plus, their family has to actually move into that new school district.
The arrival of all those Grayson transfers prompted rival coaches to complain to the Gwinnett County and the Georgia High School Association, pointing the finger at a volunteer assistant coach. Gwinnett County schools eventually told Grayson's college football advisor Kenyatta Watson "it was in the best interest of the program if he no longer helped..." Watson left in February, but denied doing anything wrong.
"Didn't recruit them," he insisted. "Didn't promise them anything. Didn't guarantee them anything." Read more... |
To some, new pitch limits for high school game are 'a long time coming'
Alex Resnak - Cherokee Tribune & Ledger
|  Baseball coaches will have to abide by new rules next season when it comes to pitchers after the National Federation of State High School Associations stated all states must use a pitch limit.
Previously, the Georgia High School Association operated with an innings limit, but the change to pitch counts did not come as a complete surprise.
"It's been a long time coming," Creekview coach Mike Nayman said. "I think it's more of a guidance thing and, as a result, I think everyone is going to benefit, especially the players. Now, they have an added safety net, so nothing crazy will happen. People are getting overextended, and I think it's a precautionary thing from the states."
Nayman said he has been lucky in his time at Creekview with the amount of pitchers he has had.
As a result, he has not felt the need to overuse his best pitchers, but that does not mean arms are not wearing down outside the high school season.
"Most of the guys we have throughout the county and throughout the state are playing on travel teams," Nayman said. "They're going out and doing all their showcases and tournaments during the summer. We're seeing guys throw more than they ever have - not necessarily more pitches, but being active more than they were 10 or 15 years ago. At some point, you're looking at a young guy and finding a way to be more responsible."
One solution Cherokee coach Jason McDaniel found was playing his pitchers in the field, too. He said some of his best pitchers are also some of his best position players, so he would not want them on the mound every day - even if it was an option. "I think a lot of our guys would be OK, because they get their rest anyway," said McDaniel, who was one of the coaches contacted by the GHSA for suggestions on the new rule. "I look at a guy like Nolan Donley. He's one of our best pitchers, but he's also probably our best shortstop. He may pitch one day, but we need him out in the field the next."
Under a proposal that the GHSA's baseball committee will consider at its fall meeting, varsity pitchers will be limited to a maximum of 110 pitches, while a sub-varsity pitcher is limited to a maximum of 90 pitches.
Also, a pitcher will be required to take a designated amount of rest based on how many pitches he throws in a game - three days' rest for 86-100 pitches, two for 61-85, one for 35-60 and none for fewer than 35 pitches. Read more...Related Marietta Daily Journal |
Changing job, school, retire? Help us keep our email list up to date.
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New school years bring new opportunities for our members. If you've changed school, job or know someone who has, email us the updated email address, contact information and title.
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Become a Certified Athletic Administrator |
The NIAAA Certification Program is a voluntary professional service to athletic administrators and is based on the premises of continuing education, professional growth and program development in the vocation of interscholastic athletic administration. It recognizes and incorporates the professional development opportunities provided by the Leadership Training Institute. The attainment of professional certification demonstrates the completion of a comprehensive plan for self-improvement that will enhance the ability of the athletic administrator to better serve the school, community and profession.
The NIAAA became a member of the National Certification Commission in October 1995 in an effort to stay abreast of information pertinent to the Certification Program on a national scope.
On October 26, 2001, the NIAAA Certification Program was granted "full registration" by the National Certification Commission recognizing the NIAAA Certification Program as one meeting the commissions rigid standards of excellence.
Certification Benefits
- Develops a sense of personal and professional satisfaction
- Demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the profession
- Provides growth of professional knowledge and expertise
- Enhances the perception of the profession
- Increases the potential for employment opportunities or incentives
- Participation in a nationally registered certification program
Certification Program Objectives
- To promote the professional standards, practices and ethics of athletic administration
- To encourage administrator self-assessment by offering guidelines for achievement
- To improve administrator performance by encouraging participation in a continuing program of professional growth and development
- To identify levels of educational training essential for effective athletic administration
- To foster professional contributions to the field
- To maximize the benefits received by the school community from the leadership provided by certified athletic administrators
Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree, or higher, from an accredited institution
- Approval of Personal Data Form (PDF) - Click here to view sample CAA Personal Data Form
- Two (2) or more years of experience as an athletic administrator
- Employed by (or retired from) a school, school district or state high school athletic/activities association in such capacity that the administration of interscholastic athletics is (was) among job responsibilities
- Completion of LTC 501, LTC 502, LTC 504 and LTC 506
- Successful completion of the CAA examination
If you're an Athletic Director and don't have your CAA yet, what are you waiting for?
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Former coach: prove I recruited players to transfer to Grayson HS
Randy Travis - Fox5 Atlanta
|  Loganville, GA - So many big time players transferred to Grayson this year that some students and coaches have referred to the school on Twitter as the "University of Grayson."
The Georgia High School Association says if you're a coach, or a parent, or even a team booster, you can't influence someone to transfer to your school. But in the new world of social media, the FOX 5 I-Team asks where is the line between right and wrong?
"I'll take a polygraph," challenged former volunteer Grayson coach Kenyatta Watson. "I'll pay for it. Never recruited a kid to come to Grayson."
Watson played receiver in college, but these days he's playing defense, vowing to clear his name and a program he's long promoted.
"It's not my fault," he insisted. "Don't blame me."
Watson coached youth football in Grayson for years. He often used YouTube and other social media to offer free college recruiting help to high school players. His tweets included pictures of Watson holding recruiting seminars for any interested kid, even ones who don't attend Grayson.
"I've got messages from kids all over the county reaching out to me hey coach, can you pass my film on to X school, and I do it," he told the FOX 5 I-Team. "That's not wrong."
According to documents obtained by the FOX 5 I-Team, the Georgia High School Association and Gwinnett County administrators began receiving complaints in January about Grayson High School, and their new assistant coach "college football advisor," Kenyatta Watson. Read more... |
Jones, Falcons look forward to new company in Region 8-AAAAAA
Adam Wynn - Barrow County News
| Dacula football is in a bit of a unique place after this past year's shake-up in the Georgia High School Association. With the addition of a new top classification, the vaunted Class-AAAAAAA, several of Dacula's former region mates have now moved on to the highest classification in the land while the Falcons opted to stay put.
"That decision was bigger than my pay grade, but at the same time, I've always been a big believer that you should play where your numbers say they are. We were below the cut, and it just kind of made sense to play in a region where that fit," Dacula head football coach Tommy Jones said.
In fact, despite being the only team to stay put from Region 8-AAAAAA, Dacula looks more like the outsider.
Apalachee, Gainesville, Lanier and Winder-Barrow all moved up from the same place, Region 8-AAAAA, while Habersham Central made the lateral move from Region 6-AAAAAA where they had been for just one season. Still, as recently as 2011, Habersham Central shared a region with Apalachee and Winder-Barrow when those three teams were part of Region 8-AAAA.
Even though the same old region will have a lot of new faces for Dacula football, Jones thinks that the change in surroundings could actually be a benefit.
"It'll be good for Dacula just because it'll be different. I'm not talking about wins or losses or anything like that, but just from a standpoint of traveling to different places and having our kids see different things. Our coaches are going to see different film," Jones noted. "Sometimes we need to be refreshed a little bit, too."
Another unique advantage that Dacula might have over other opponents in the region is the fact that they are one of only two teams in Region 8-AAAAAA that will have played multiple Class-AAAAAAA opponents by the time play rolls around. Read more...
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Sincerely,
Ruth Donahoo President
Georgia Athletic Directors Association www.gadaonline.net |
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NIAAA's Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration
Featuring Decatur AD and past GADA President Carter Wilson
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 "It is an honor to have served as a contributor to Human Kinetics' NIAAA Guide to Interscholastic Athletic Administration. The goal of this publication is to serve as a comprehensive guide for athletic administrators in Georgia and throughout the country. I am proud to be a member of the GADA and the NIAAA and I hope that this publication will assist others in their service to young people." - Carter Wilson
Click HERE to purchase the guide.
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GHSA 2016-2017 Football Schedule released
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GADA Checklist for August
Helping you stay organized
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1. Contact Head coaches to poll their assistants about attendance for CPR/First Aid * Update coaches education records and notify coaches of their current status * Find out eligibility dates for Fall season * Review current GHSA Handbook, noting changes. * Rules Clinics for Fall Coaches * Arrange for First Aid/CPR classes * Remind Head Coaches about fall League coaches meetings * Contact police and Ambulance for home football games * Contact announcer/timer/chain crew for home football games * Contact event manager for home football, soccer, volleyball contests * Contact Team doctor for home football games and make sure they have schedules * Prepare Parent night presentation * Prepare and/or complete JV and Freshman schedules * Prepare "Season Arrangements" for coaches and schedule Pre-Season Coaches Meeting * Confirm picture dates with team photographer * Attend Freshman Parent Orientations * Process all fall athletic participants paperwork - check eligibility concerns * Prepare coaches contracts for out-of-building coaches * Discuss theft and facility "etiquette" with coaches * Discuss etiquette with spirit team(s)
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Science, Safety Measures Change Football Practice
Al Lesar - South Bend Tribune
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While reminiscing about the good ol' days when he was a football player at Penn High School, almost four decades ago, Kingsmen coach Cory Yeoman couldn't help but laugh.
Heck, he was tickled into a deep belly chortle.
Monday's first day of football practice had him in a good mood anyway. Add to it the memories of how players used to deal with the August heat, and he feels like a true survivor.
Remember the salt tablets that were supposed to guard against dehydration? Infrequent water breaks? Heavy uniforms? "We'd be wearing that canvas," Yeoman said, starting to chuckle when he recalled his ol' football pants. "If it was hot enough, and you were running fast enough, you could start a fire between your legs." The mental vision alone is scary. But, you get the idea.
Science now dictates what happens at football practice, beyond the X's and O's. Penn athletic trainer Bailey Westra is as vital to the execution as any coach. Especially in the steamy days of August, and, starting Wednesday, when two-a-day practices are allowed to commence, she will closely monitor weather conditions as well as the athletes.
"The IHSAA has a heat index chart that we watch closely," said Westra, who uses instruments at least every hour. "It's even hotter on the artificial turf. Sometimes we have to move to the grass."
Monday was a bearable day, temperature near 80, but the humidity was about 65 percent. It's going to get worse before it gets better. Projected high temperatures later this week are around 90, just in time for the start of two-a-days.
"We tell our kids to drink two gallons of water a day," said Anne Micinski, who is starting her 24th year as the athletic trainer at Marian. "Some of them don't really understand what we mean by that. We have to educate them."
Marian coach Reggie Glon, heading into his 23rd year at the Knights helm, looked at his watch.
"You don't have the grind now, like you used to," he said. "At one time, we'd be in the third hour of our second practice right now - with another practice to go. Read more...
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Propst file: Georgia attorney advised against suspension
Jill Nolin - MeridianStar.com
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ATLANTA - An attorney assigned to pursue the case against Georgia high school football coach Rush Propst recommended that his one-year suspension be dropped.
This was one of the revelations in the Professional Standards Commission's file on Propst, which was obtained this week through an open records request.
"If this matter went to a hearing, there would only be praise for this educator, including from the student involved and the superintendent," wrote Rebecca Mick, senior assistant attorney general, in a June 23 letter. The attorney general's office handled the case during Propst's appeal of his suspension.
"For this reason, I recommend that you accept the reprimand, as I do not believe the PSC could achieve a sanction at a hearing," Mick added.
The commission reconsidered its suspension and in July settled on a reprimand.
Propst came under scrutiny when TV cameras captured the Colquitt County High School coach head-butting a helmeted player during a play-off game against Mill Creek last December. Propst, who was wearing a visor, was seen with blood coming down his face.
The incident prompted criticism that the coach's antics had gone too far.
The school's athletic director at the time, Kevin Giddens, and Principal Stephanie Terrell met with Propst after the incident, but the issue reemerged when news broke in June that the commission had voted to suspend Propst's teaching certificate for a year. The suspension would have kept him off the sidelines, as well.
The commission's file sheds light on what transpired between December and June. Read more...
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