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WADA INSIGHTS |
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from the WIAA Bulletin May 21,
2004 . |
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Wisconsin
Athletic Directors Association (WADA) |
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ADs across the
state benefit
from WADA
membership
Information Coordinator, WADAOne of the interactive goals of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA) is to assist the individuals responsible for the administration of interscholastic athletics offered by schools in the state. Individuals
who join the WADA will find plenty of assistance, in a wide variety of issues
that are common to many schools – whether public or private, whether big or
small, whether metropolitan or rural. “Becoming a WADA
member is becoming part of a group dedicated to the improvement of high
school athletics in the state,” said Pete Miller, the president of the WADA
and athletic director at Merrill High School. Membership
in WADA is open to anyone involved in the administration or supervision of
interscholastic athletics at Wisconsin schools. Currently, active members number over 400, said Joe “WADA is
athletic directors educating athletic directors, and that’s important because
athletic directors are the ‘doers’ in the school,” added Miller, who has been
at Merrill for 25 years – including the past 12 as the A.D. He also has coached girls track &
field, cross country and boys basketball, has been a WIAA registered
official, has served on the WIAA Sports Advisory, Sportsmanship and Officials
Advisory committees, and was a WADA District 2 Rep. “I have watched WADA grow as an organization. Leadership
Training Classes have been a tremendous learning tool for AD's.” Bill
Vickroy, the athletic director at Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School, is
another veteran who pointed out the benefits of being an active WADA
member. “The beauty of being a
member of WADA is highlighted by the simple fact that WADA is a professional
organization that is specifically tailored to meet the needs of Athletic
Directors and Activities Directors,” he said. “It focuses on what its members do, and tries to facilitate
direction, leadership, information exchange, educational opportunities,
interaction with peers, and social opportunities. “The important thing to remember is that being a member means one has made a commitment to become involved,” continued Vickroy, who has been the A.D. at Lincoln for nine years. “Being a spectator isn't good enough. An active member may contribute and be a part of District Caucuses, Leadership Training Courses, the WADA Workshop every year, the annual WADA Golf Outing, and much more. In addition to being involved in the WADA, many members are also active in the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), which is an organization that encourages athletic administrative growth, leadership potential, professional publications, continuing education, conference opportunities and more. “Getting to know one's
peers is important in interscholastic athletics, and working together leads
to wonderful, lifelong friendships. Also, the state level involvement
often leads to interest and involvement at the national level with the
NIAAA. The benefits of being a member of the NIAAA involve not only
education, leadership, friendship, etc., but includes publications, insurance
coverage and important opportunities for professional certification. “The bottom line is this: active membership involvement in WADA helps each Athletic Director or Activity Director grow professionally and personally,” added Vickroy, who also is the District 2 Rep for the WADA and an NIAAA member. “You learn, and you have fun with peers while helping develop standards and philosophies that will continue to highlight Wisconsin as a national leader in interscholastic athletics.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The web site for
the WADA is www.wadawi.org and Mike
Bates may be reached via e-mail GO TO
THE “WADA INSIGHTS” INDEX |
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Vol. 80 -- No. 16 --- May 21, 2004
622