What's the job description of a high school athletic director?

I'm thinking about a career in sports management and heard about the role of a high school athletic director. What does their job typically involve? How is it different from other sports-related jobs?

The role of a high school athletic director (AD) is multifaceted and essential to the success of athletics at the secondary education level. They are responsible for overseeing all the athletic programs within a high school, which includes managing the coaching staff, scheduling athletic events, ensuring compliance with league regulations, and maintaining facilities.

The responsibilities usually involve:

1. Personnel Management: The AD hires, evaluates, and sometimes terminates coaches. They also mentor coaches and suggest professional development opportunities.

2. Planning and Scheduling: They plan the athletic schedules for each sport, including organizing games and coordinating transportation. They are also responsible for the logistical setup for home games.

3. Compliance and Eligibility: They ensure that all athletes meet academic and age eligibility requirements. They also ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the governing body for high school athletics.

4. Budgeting: Administrating the athletic department's budget, which includes equipment purchasing, allocating money for travel, and sometimes fundraising, is a key part of the director's job.

5. Facility Management: They oversee the maintenance and use of athletic facilities.

6. Public Relations: They work as a liaison between the school and the community. This may involve handling parent inquiries, promoting the school's sports teams to the media, and working with local sports organizations.

Compared to other sports-related careers, the position of a high school AD is broader in scope because it involves oversight of an entire athletic program rather than focusing on one team, and it combines elements of coaching, teaching, management, and even public relations. The position differs significantly from, for example, a physical education teacher who has the primary role of instructing students in physical activity and promoting the importance of fitness.

The job of an athletic director can be stressful due to its multifaceted nature and the pressure to create winning teams, but it can equally be rewarding for those with a passion for athletics and education. It's a key role that helps shape the physical, mental, and character development of high school students through sports.